Any ideas how I can stop grinding my teeth at night?

My jaw is really starting to hurt and so are my teeth..any good ideas? Also - does anyone know how much a custom made mouth guard at the dentist could cost?

Any ideas how I can stop grinding my teeth at night?
You can mouthguards that are used in hockey at a sports shop. Typically those can be custom made. You place the guard in boiling water to soften it up a bit then you chomp on it (the material cools enough so you don't burn yourself). Of course, follow the directions on the package. But you can probably save yourself hundreds of dollars by getting one from the sports store.
Reply:Mouth guards of how so ever good quality is not an answer to your problem. You should immediately see a good doctor for this. May be you need to increase your calcium intake. Till such time you go to the doctor, you may try taking two calcium tablets daily after major meals and try to sleep on your side instead of on your back..
Reply:I am not sure how much the mouth guards cost at the dentist but you can buy a good mouth guard from a sporting goods store and boil it in water and place it in your mouth. That will cost around 10-15 dollars. Good Luck
Reply:If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered.





Other tips to stop teeth grinding include:





Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee.


Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.


Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.


Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.


Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.


You could be grinding or clenching your teeth whilst sleeping, a condition known as Bruxism.


Additionally, your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep. Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports.


Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports:


There are three types of mouth guards:





Stock mouth protectors are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting good stores and department stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky and make breathing and talking difficult and they provide little or no protection. Dentists do not recommend their use.





Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure.





Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist's instructions. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material


Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech.



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