how to stop or control night time teeth grinding?

Question

i recently found out from the dentist that i grind my teeth (which would explain my waking up with headaches). so i bought a nightgaurd from walgreens, but i hate wearing it when i sleep...it's kind of hard to breathe with it in. is there anything that you know of that would help stop me from grinding my teeth? this may sounds silly, but are there any exercises to do that could help?

Answer 1

You may HAVE to get used to wearing a guard at night, try some different brands to get one that is comfortable (or ask your dentist for recommendations) and you're right they DO cause headaches, along with jaw pain and dental problems (like the premature wearing of teeth). It can also be annoying to your sleep partner. IF you are looking for other ways around it (no guarentees on this answer) try this, your are probably grinding your teeth due to stress, find ways to relax before bedtime (like a PM yoga routine), put on some stress relieving music, and train your body to relax, it's kind of like meditating yourself to sleep, start with your toes, clench them up tight, and then let them go, work your way up your body as many muscles as you can tighten and relax, and after you're done with that muscle don't move it, just keep it loose and relaxed. This mental unwinding might help, but I can't promise that it will, a night guard seems to be the best answer for MOST people. My dad, and neice both wear them. And I used to clench/grind my teeth at night too (I stopped when I wore braces as a teenager, not sure why other than I clenched my jaw (and lips) SO tightly that my braces started to dig into my cheeks and lips and they would sometimes bleed, so I started the mental excersizes (which I don't so anymore) and that seemed to make me stop, I no longer had to pry the insides of my cheeks or lips out of my braces in the morning. Like I said I can't promise this will work for you, try another brand of night guard, OR try the relaxing routine (meditation or yoga or whatever helps you wind down before bed), it MAY work for you, it did me!

Answer 2

The problem with night guards is they're not REALLY individualized enough. Yours is an excellent case in point. Go to yr. dentist and have him make what's called a "splint"--he takes actual bite impressions and molds the upper and lowers from them. If you still have trouble breathing he may want to cut holes so air circulates around them. By the way, get a price from your dentist. If you lack the bread try the nearest dental school. They always need people to demonstrate on, and you may become their all-star because you wouldn't need any drilling. BUT--your poor nose breathing may be the culprit, and they can do other things. It's possible you have chronic sinus or nasal blockage and have to irrigate your nasal passages in the morning and before bed, and it will reduce nasal and sinus infections. The kit is compact and very cheap, and even travels well. You may have a deviated septum (the cartilage between your nostrils), and an appliance or surgery would be the cure. I had mine corrected--and now have a PERFORATED septum, which dries everything (snorting drugs can give you this, too).. The cure is a simple button-like device to plug the hole--in his office and away you go. Many people, for many reasons, develop sleep apnea with poor nasal breathing--they stop breathing many times during the night and seldom sleep deeply enough to breathe. In some of these cases a mask that forces moisturized air into the nose and throat does the job. Generally your best place to start would be an ear/nose/throat clinic, and you may have to try a thing or too or spend a night or two there to assess the root causes. I suffer from perforated septum and a touch of claustrophobia, so a mask is out. I irrigate now, and I think I'll get a septal button next month.

Answer 3

OTC mouthgaurds, unless, they are the type, that you place in very hot water, and then bite down on it so it can conform to your bite, could be more comfortable. Personal ones can be made by your dentist (and, sometimes is covered by insurance)Your physician (or dentist) could prescribe a mild muscle relaxant, to use at bedtime, only. As far as exercises? None that I'm aware of. This probably has been something that you've been doing for many years, maybe even since childhood, and have developed a pattern, that you can change, that will save your teeth, and jaw (TMJ) from any futher damage.

Answer 4

I've heard meditation, exercising and just trying to reduce stress will help. Those nightguards from Walgreens are awful. Your dental office can have one custom made for you and it is much more streamlined and easier to wear. Usually, dental insurance doesn't pay for it (which I think sucks) but you could always save up for one (and will last you a LONG time). Remember, you'll have these teeth forever. I've seen some really scary things happen to peoples teeth that are grinders and it is MUCH cheaper to pay for a nightguard now than having to have crowns put on every single tooth later in life. Here's a link to look at some scary pictures of extreme wear....which can happen to anyone. Good luck!
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimages%26imgsz%3Dall%26imgc%3D%26vf%3Dall%26va%3Dgrinding%2Bteeth%26fr%3Dks-ans%26ei%3DUTF-8&w=228&h=142&imgurl=www.advanced-dental-care.com%2Fimages%2Fteeth-grinding.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.advanced-dental-care.com%2FTeethGrinding.html&size=31.7kB&name=teeth-grinding.jpg&p=grinding+teeth&type=jpeg&no=4&tt=2,907&ei=UTF-8

Answer 5

That's a serious problem, that can actually lead to huge problems with your teeth (I used to grind mine too, when I was young).
Wear the nightguard! You may not like it, but it'll save you from a bevvy of problems later.

(You can wear out the enamel on your teeth and severely increase your risk of cavities and other infections, eventually requiring dentures or severe fixations).

Answer 6

No exercises, just try to stay concious of it, because you probably do it during the day too. A doctor may be able to prescribe a mild sedative to take at night to help reduce the stress you are thinking about. Try to think out your problems before you go to sleep at night. The stress is probably causing other symptoms too.

Answer 7

Go back to your dentist and ask him to make a custom made night-guard. This are made just for you, they are smaller than the ones you can find over the counter, after a few days you won't even notice you have it in your mouth.

Answer 8

Ask your dentist to make you a soft SPLINT, it's a very soft mouthguard, more comfy than hard ones. Massage muscles around jaws before you sleep, try to de-stress, try hypnosis.

Answer 9

Working out will help with your stress. As your doctor about a med called requip, also.

Answer 10

in our culture...those who grin teeth while they are sleeping are bad signs.....bad omen!! and not to scare you or something but to stop it...you need to have someone sleep next to you and slap your mouth (well slap in a very good manner..not a b***** slap)..just for the heck of stopping the curse!!