i have a problem w/grinding my teeth @ nite-the dentist suggest i get a nite guard that cost $475.?

Question

i think he is nuts! does anyone have advice for me? should i use what the doctor orders or should i try something else?

Answer 1

Hey girl, Just wanted to say I would split the bill on the mouthguard since it's my fault you spent so much money at the mall last night. Or you can use one of my boxing mouthpieces. They are in the side pocket of my gym bag. They came with $10,000 of insurance just in case you fall out of bed and chip a tooth. I love you so much.

Answer 2

What your doctor suggest is not crazy it is just putting a band aid over a sore though. My step dad had grinding teeth problems and his dental records were very poor he had all kinds of problems. On top of that no one could sleep because the noise sounded like nails on a chalkboard. If a habit forms after doing it for awhile, then if you do the reverse for awhile there is a possibility that it won't continue. The problem with the mouth peice is that it costs alot and would only guard your teeth (incidentally a mouth peice at a sports shop only costs 9bucks, and you put it in boiling water to form it to your mouth, it may be less comfortable but try this first) would not stop you from grinding it would stop your teeth from being damaged.

Behavior modification: Practice putting your mouth in a neutral position behind your upper front teeth -- where it's placed when you say the letter "n." Then separate your teeth slightly. Repeatedly relaxing your jaw in this way can help break the teeth grinding habit. Use stickers or other visual cues in your car, home or workplace as a reminder to relax your jaw.

Answer 3

Mouthguards do cost a lot. But, they are worth it. They last forever. They are comfortable. They protect the structure of your teeth. And, they don't make you feel like chewing.

A sport mouthguard that you buy for just a few dollars does not provide any comparable benefits. They cost almost nothing. But, they are not worth more than that.

Hopefully, such mouthguard is covered by your dental insurance. If it is not, I suggest you finance it by earmarking money for it in your flexible spending account, if the company you work for offers this employee benefit. The tax benefit from a flexible spending account would reduce the cost of the guard to you by a full third. So, the after tax cost to you would be reduced to about $300.

Answer 4

The mouth guards that you can buy in drug stores that are used for sports are soft and not as effective as what you can get from your dentist. Your dentist will make a hard one that forms to your teeth and he will make sure that your bite is level to minimize the risk of developing TMJ, if you don't have it already.

Answer 5

You can try the store bought kit. The nightguard kit is a piece of plastic that you boil in hot water, mold it around your teeth when it is flexible , and wait for it to harden. Then you cut off the excess material. These kits are less costly, but also are of a lesser quality. You get what you pay for!

Answer 6

there are night guards that you can buy over the counter at a drug store, that might work, but I'm sure the one your dentist is suggesting is fit for you, and not a generic one. Either way, it's cheaper than losing teeth!

Answer 7

My sister had the same problem, but our dentist suggested picking up a mouthguard from a sports store. WAY cheaper.

Funny story about that, actually. She happened to pick up her mouthguard from Dick's Sporting Goods. Later on, I overheard our mother asking my sister where her Dick guard was...she was, of course, referring to the mouthguard, but still...it was pretty darn funny!

PS - Just checked the ***** Sporting Goods website and they sell mouthguards for $2. :)

Answer 8

I just had mine made here in the Philippines, It's made of hard transparent plastic and costs only P3000 or less than 60 US dollars. Used to have one that's like soft silicone plastic but that got lost and is cheaper but more comfortable to use.

Answer 9

You can use the nightguards that you can buy in the store, but they are MUCH bulkier & don't last very long (even if you can get used to wearing it). The one that your dentist wants to make is custom made to fit your teeth-so it is much more streamlined. I'd think about getting that one

Answer 10

there is a "niteguard" at the drug stores and wally world (walmart) that costs about $40. you customize it to your mouth and go ( takes about 5 mins. directions included). it is big but it helps alot. that's coming from two faithfull users that have kept the other 30 teeth. good luck!!