Is there treatment for pain caused by grinding teeth besides analgesics?

Question

Will mouth guards work? Will the pain eventually subside? My dentist verified that I don't have an abscess by x-ray. The pain radiates under my left eye and the roof of mouth as well as the surrounding teeth. I'm having trouble eating. I'm taking penicillin,too. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you are grinding your teeth at night you should show wear on your teeth. If your dentist is good he should be able to tell you the signs he sees of this wear. I have the same problem and woke up several years ago unable to open my mouth. I did not have much pain though but had to eat through a straw for some time and little by little I was able to open it. I have a top and bottom night gaurd that I switch off with. My dentist can clearly see the wear on these gaurds which are made of a hard material. I occasionally go in to have them adjusted due to wear. A good dentist who specializes in problems like this is really important. An orthadontist may be better at reading your teeth history than a dentist who does normal fillings and such. Your pain sounds a little unusual to me since I never had much pain. I hope there is not another problem that has been missed.

Answer 2

Your dentist should have taked an empression of your mouth. Then an appliance that fits your mouth will be made of a soft plastic like material . This appliance should be worn consistantly at night . You probably have stress in your day to day life that causes you grind your teeth at night. We all have some kind of stress and we use various ways to rid ourselves of it. Grinding ones teeth , clenching our teeth are symtoms. Try to find a way to calm yourself at night before you go to sleep. If you have no infection why are you taking penicillin? Perhaps change Doctors. Good Luck

Answer 3

You have what is called TMJ or temporomandibular joint disease-- you actually GRIND your teeth when you sleep and that causes you jaw to malalign and cause cracking and shooting pain.

Go to the dentist and get fitted with a special mouth piece to be worn while sleeping--- it will protect your teeth because eventually you will have worn out the enamel on them -- it will stop the joint pain jaw pain and the in your mouth and eye area--- TMJ xrays must be done at a regular hospital or outpatient clinic and should be ordered by your family doctor. I don't know why they have you on penicillin other than you may have bit you gum and it may get infected--- see your general doctor---get the tmj xrays--- talk to your regular doctor about a serious formal plan to get rid of this pain..........good luck to you......ps- do you have your wisdom teeth? Ask your dentist-- an impacted wisdom tooth can cause havoc like you're having also.

Answer 4

Possible eye exam is needed. I think I would start with sensodyne tooth paste. Look at stressers in life. Releave some. You have a merry Christmas. I was told to try mouth guards by my dentist years ago never did it. Toothpaste helped.

Answer 5

Yes, mouth guards help with bruxism. I assume you've also seen a doctor or two to make sure there's no other cause for the pain.

Answer 6

Tranquillizers such as Vallium plus a night guard of suitable rigidity may help in your case.
Also check for sinus disease with an ENT specialist.

Answer 7

The only thing I can think of is a mouth guard. I have not had this experience, personally, but I know of a couple of people who have, and they said the guard helps.

Answer 8

you should have a night guard - or your teeth will wear down.

find out what is causing stress, drink less coffee, meditate.....

there is no one answer to stop the bruxism

Answer 9

Teeth grinding, known medically as bruxism, usually occurs during high periods of stress for most and can lead to TMJ, painful earaches, headaches, neck pain etc. So one way of stopping or helping it, is to eliminate or reduce whatever is causing you stress. If reducing the stress is not immediately obtainable, your dentist can fit you for a mouthguard that must be worn each night. Important to note: If the mouthguard is uncomfortable you will likely not keep it in or use it. So if this is the route you chose, make sure you work with a dentist you are comfortable with who can make adjustments if necessary. I suffer from this condition and was fitted for a mouthguard which I never use because of it's uncomfortable fit. However, I have found that because of my regular yoga practice, I no longer grind me teeth despite having an extremely stressful job. Hence my suggestion that you eliminate or reduce stress (yoga & tai chi work well) or be fitted with a night mouthguard. Finally, whatever you do, don't ignore it. I did and at one point was unable to have a conversation or eat because the act of chewing and talking was excruciating. Hope this helps. Good luck and remember be good to yourself.

Answer 10

no