How do I stop grinding my teeth?

Question

I've been told that I grind my teeth.

I'm guessing I do this in my sleep because I wasn't aware of it.

My two front upper teeth have been chipped and fixed, my last dentist said that if I kept grinding my teeth then I would break the fixed bit off my teeth.

He never told me how to stop grinding my teeth.

Does anyone know how i'm ment to stop this?

I've had orthadontic treatment and wear and vacuumed plate at night time.

Answer 1

It is strange. If a dentist is unable to suggest a remedy about teeth grinding then who else can? Apparently, your present dentist does not consider teeth grinding as an important issue except that it would break the fixed bit off your teeth.

I suggest you see another dentist before it is too late.

Time and again I have suggested in this forum that people should not ask questions on serious medical conditions because they would get half-baked varied answers which would confuse more than provide real solution.

Answer 2

Dear Sarah,

There are appliances, expressly made, to prevent night grinding of teeth. One brand name is "Night Guard". However, I am surmising, the "vacuumed plate", you are wearing at night, is an orthodontic retainer of some sort. Most likely, its presence, precludes utilizing the cited appliance.

However, switching to Invisalign Aligners, in lieu of your retainer, may be an option. The following link will provide you with more information:

http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/us/en/index.jsp

These custom machined, clear plastic aligners fit over your teeth, top and bottom, progressively moving your teeth into place. You wear them all the time, except when eating or cleaning your teeth. They will align your teeth, and keep you from grinding them against each other.

Please bear in mind, the grinding may be due to TMJ disorder, or it could be stress related. The mechanical devices will protect your teeth. However, I don't think they will do much, if anything, to stop the grinding and clenching, that goes on while sleeping.

Larry

Answer 3

Ask your doctor/dentist. They will be able to help because they have had a lot of experiance with patients that grind their teeth (I'm one of them.) You can also go to the drug store like CVS/Walgreens/Walmart, and look for a mouth guard that kind of looks like a clear retainer (plastic.) These are specially designed for people (adults) who grind your teeth. I do believe they have sizes, if not, you may have to see the dentist/doctor after all. It's also cheaper to buy a mouth guard.

All you have to do is put it on when you sleep. Make sure to clean it everyday. You can buy a special cleanser that's for retainers and such, but it will work with a mouth guard as well. If you run out of it, you can use a toothbrush with toothpaste and just scrub the guard and rinse.

Answer 4

Is a vaccumed plate one of those high dollar mouth pieces?
I grind my teeth also at night and my Dr. told me to just go in any atheletics dept of a store and buy those mouth pieces football players wear instead of those expensive ones you fine JUST FOR GRINDING in the dental section.
If that is not working for you, I have NO idea what else you can do. Maybe using a mouth piece for the TOP and BOTTOM of your teeth??

Answer 5

Your dentist can make you a night guard which you place on your teeth before going to sleep. This will protect your teeth when grinding.

Answer 6

They make mouth guards you can wear at night, they fit over your uppers so the guard gets ground down not your teeth. I'm surprised your last dentist didn't sell you one.

Get a better dentist, and they'll be able to fit you up with a proper one.

Answer 7

If in doubt do nothing.

I used to grind my teeth it didn't seem to do them any harm.

Over the passage of time (about 5 years) I found I just stopped grinding my teeth.

Good luck and don't worry about it.

Answer 8

I don't know if there is away to stop it either. The only time I am aware that I am grinding my teeth is when I peel potatoes when I am making dinner.
When I realise what I am doing I stop.

Answer 9

Please check with your dentist about a guard to place in your mouth at night. It will be made of plastic, and keep you from grinding your teeth. Take care.

Answer 10

You could ask your doc about options for prescribing a mild sleeping pill. Restoril (temazepam) worked wonders for my tooth grinding problems. Plus it's only 13 bucks for a month's prescription at the grocery store pharmacy.