I have been told that I sometimes grind my teeth bad in the night when sleeping, and have done so since i was a kid (im 28 now). I don't remember or hear it, but lately in the morning my jaw is sore and tight feeling. I tried before to use a guard i bought at the store, but it hurt my jaw, and I couldn't sleep with it in. I don't have dental coverage, is there anything else I could do without going to the dentist?
2007-05-01 08:00:53 · 11 answers · asked by happy_n_freeone 3 in Health ➔ Dental
Gosh so much good advice!! Thank you everyone! I don't know if i can pick best answer!
2007-05-01 10:42:34 · update #1
HAPPY,
THIS ADVICE WON'T MAKE YOU ENTIRELY HAPPY BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE TO SEE A DENTIST.
HE HAS TO MAKE YOU A VERY SPECIFIC BRUXISM APPLIANCE. YOU CANT BUY ONE IN A STORE.IT IS CUSTOM-MADE AND IT WILL STOP YOUR GRINDING AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED FROM GRINDING.
IT'S CALLED AN N.T.I-tss BRUXISM APPLIANCE.
IT IS NOT A NIGHT GUARD, AND IT IS VERY COMFORTABLE TO WEAR.
MY PATIENTS WHO GRIND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT AND ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT AFTER YEARS OF WEARING LOUSY NIGHT GUARDS THERE IS A CURE FOR GRINDING.
2007-05-01 08:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this is the same kind of guard that you used before the hurt your jaw, but the package says it's a "new one", so it might be a little thinner and be easier for you to sleep with. (i used to use the old ones that were really thick and you can't really close your mouth) I grind my teeth also (or so i've been told), i went to Target and got one of those mouth guards. It's about $20 and all you do it boil some water, stick the guard in the water and then pull it out and dip it in cold water for literally 1 second and then put it in your mouth (on your top teeth) and bite down and suck in as much as you can.
the reason that your old guard might not have felt right was because it might have been the wrong size, try a smaller or bigger size, it might work better. best of luck~
2007-05-01 08:11:34 · answer #2 · answered by emma-me 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Temporarily you should invest in a mouth guard at the drug store. Grinding your teeth can eventually give you head aches and pain in you jaw. If your parents tell you not to worry they will eventually be told by the dentist as it starts to wear down your teeth and he/she will see this at some point depending on how hard you do it. Take care of this sooner than later as you are wearing away the enamel on you teeth making you more likely to get cavities. If your parents have benefits a large portion will be covered so it won't cost too much. Good luck
2016-04-01 04:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best thing to do would have a night guard made at the dental office. they actually will take a mold of your teeth. a custom made appliance would b much more affective. look into care credit, it would extend you credit interest free for a period of time. just make sure it's paid off before the period ends as the interest rate is quite high.
2007-05-01 09:06:06 · answer #4 · answered by beccaboo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you buy a mouth guard be sure to BOIL it and soften it then you bite down on it till it molds to YOUR MOUTH... sometimes you have to take a straigh razor and cut some of the depth on it so it doesnt make your gums sore......Other than that I am not sure.. but I used to grind my teeth and that was the ONLY thing that stopped me.. I wore the "bit" as I called it for about 6 months.. NO problems since. and that was 13 yrs ago...
2007-05-01 08:09:36 · answer #5 · answered by mandie_j_lee 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your best bet is to get a custom mouth guard made by the dentist. It costs about $200 , but what are your teeth worth.?
2007-05-01 08:06:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have got to go to a dentist. I grind my teeth in my sleep as well, my dentist tells me it is stress and that I need to wear a mouthguard at night.
2007-05-01 08:08:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your too stressed out...........Try relaxing before going to bed. eg have a relaxing bath,facial, pamper your self, what ever!!!!............but go to the dentist cuz the mouth gaurd they do for you is made out of a mould of your own teeth......so it fits 100% with no discomfort........You could also try your local GP........your problem could be tension/stress.....they can suggest something......like drugs... : )
2007-05-01 11:14:42 · answer #8 · answered by lusciousleslie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a chiropractor,it really works.I go 2-3 times aweek
2007-05-01 08:06:46 · answer #9 · answered by 8seconds 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You might need a more comfortable mouth guard.
2007-05-01 08:09:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋