Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Struggling with new mouth guard

29 replies

Babieseverywhere · 16/03/2011 14:42

For many reasons I am not going to bore people with I am so stressed atm that I'm grinding my teeth when asleep. This has caused a lot of tooth and jaw pain. My dentist sorted out a mouth guard and I have picked it up today..but I'm in even more pain :(

The dentist said it would start to feel better in a few days, maybe a couple of months !

I understand that it will take time to get use to the guard but I have to wear it full time until the pain stops and I don't think I can make out to the end of the day. Has anyone else had a mouth guard, how long does it take to get use to it ?

Sigh, I was so looking forward to getting done proper sleep. Oh well, off to pick up DD1 from school and redress her wound, make tea that I can't eat, think I'll take done painkillers at bed time if it doesn't ease off by then.

OP posts:
MikeHock · 16/03/2011 16:17

I just got one of these today, except mine is only to be worn at night.

How strange that you have to wear it all the time? Does it not look a bit odd? (Without trying to make you feel worse Grin)

Mine feels really tight so I imagine it will be painful at first, but hopefully ease off the other symptoms.

If you are in even more pain, then it doesn't seem as if it is doing it's job properly - perhaps try it through the night and then give them a call in the morning?

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 16/03/2011 16:47

It is clear and only on the bottom, so I don't look too daft. Yes, once my jaw and teeth have stopped hurting I only have to wear it at night but until that point, I can only take it out to eat or drink. He said to give it several days to get use to it and I have another appointment in 3 months to see how things are going.

OP posts:
harbingerofdoom · 16/03/2011 17:09

I know all about teeth grinding or bruxism. Penny dropped with dentist after destroying nearly all of my molars by cracking not decay. This led to crowns where possible and I've even destroyed some of them and lost two teeth.
I was given a clear,flexible mouth guard for my top teeth to wear at night.
I found it very hard to get used to but persevered. My jaw seemed to get used to it.Sexy not!
No more knackered teeth-do I still wear it every night? What do you think?

MikeHock · 16/03/2011 17:54

I've got a hard "splint" which just fits over the top two front teeth, so it would look odd if I were to wear it in the day!

What's bothering me is that when I put it in I get the most intense feeling of pressure as soon as it is in, and when I imitate clenching/grinding, the feeling is multiplied.

I have the added bonus that my jaw slides to one side, so the pressure is mainly on one side, but I too have hairline cracks on most of my teeth.

I suppose I'll just need to give it a go tonight and see.

How is it going Babieseverywhere - have you managed to keep it in?

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 16/03/2011 18:26

I've just eaten some tea with no guard and I have it back in again.

,Sigh, it is going to be a long evening but if it gets no worse I'll be fine.

What about you, how is yours feeling now ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 16/03/2011 18:28

HOD, How long did your jaw take to get use to it ?

How often do you wear it now ?

OP posts:
MikeHock · 16/03/2011 18:35

Not had mine in permanently as only need to do it at night, so I will let you know in the morning how I got on!

Sounds like you are maybe getting used to it though?

harbingerofdoom · 16/03/2011 19:13

I'm going back 2/3years but I think that I gave it a good going for a solid 3 months. I hope this helps. Anything else - just ask :)

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 17/03/2011 07:42

Managed to wear it all night, currently have it out for breakfast. The inside of my lip is sore from the new guard edge, just a case of getting use I guess. This its like having a brace again arghhhh.

My jaw doesn't hurt as much today more achey hurt iyswim. So it stopped me grinding as much last night I hope :)

OP posts:
MikeHock · 17/03/2011 11:29

Excellent, hopefully it will also get better with time.

I woke up loads last night - I'm not sure if it was down to the splint or too much caffeine! But I was certainly aware of it.

Hopefully we'll both get used to it soon!

Am36butfeel66 · 17/03/2011 14:30

Hi just seen your post. I have worn a lower rigid guard for approx 7 years now. I do remember that initially it took about a week before I got to the point that I didn't feel uncomfortable with it. I do remember the pain felt like the pain you would get when the dentist tightened my brace as a teenager! Now it feels weird going to sleep with out it! ...I actually put mine on during the evening as I have found if I am concentrating on the Internet I find myself grinding again! I was given one as a preventative for migraines as well as face/neck pain, and since using it my migraines arer not as frequent... Stil get them though so it wasn't the miracle cure I was looking for. My only warning about your guard is if you have a dog....... My old dog once got hold of mine and tried it on for size in his mouth!.... Needless to say it broke, and I had to pay out another £100 for another one!!! :)

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 17/03/2011 21:31

Mike, yes, I agree the achy feeling is very brace like.

Am36, About a week, that sounds doable.
That said I have taken it out and using gel to help my mouth feel better. I am not looking forward to using it again tonight.

More importantly it looks like 4 year old DD1 injured finger is infected (poor baby), so off to doctor asap in the morning for antibiotics or likewise.

We need some better health in this family.

OP posts:
Ponders · 17/03/2011 21:36

I have had 2 mouthguards - the first fitted to top teeth as well as bottom, comfortable within a very short time (just slightly gaggy going in & out) but then I stopped wearing it for a while & next time I tried it broke Sad

Then I was made another, by a different dentist - the top was dead flat & smooth, not fitted to top teeth at all, very uncomfortable & held my jaw open in a stupid position so I never used it.

Should take it back really (I paid £100+ for it) but dental appts are such a faff that going back voluntarily never seems worth it...

Am36butfeel66 · 17/03/2011 21:42

Mike for your sore mouth I would recommend IGLU stuff..it is much better than bongela as sticks on for ages!...you can get it at most chemists now. Your gums will get used to it, well mine did anyway..I have mine in at the mo :)
For your dd1.. Have you any Manuka honey in the house? As it is great for bad cuts...they actually make a proper wound dressing with Manuka honey in it which I have used on old dears leg ulcer, and it works a treat!
I have used it with my dd too when she gets cuts and grazes, it can sting a bit when you put it on, but is a great healer, and has antibacterial properties... Good also for sore mouthed too! Good luck with dr

MikeHock · 17/03/2011 21:44

I don't have a sore mouth? Confused

Do you mean Babieseverywhere?

Agree with you re the Iglu though - much better than bonjela

Am36butfeel66 · 17/03/2011 21:48

Sori Mikehock, was trying to watch tv while writing and got distracted!.. I of course mean Babieseverywhere! Blush

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 17/03/2011 21:49

Thanks for the recommendation for me, I'll get some tomorrow.

I do have some of the honey you mentioned but I need to get some medical advice first for her.

OP posts:
marriednotdead · 17/03/2011 22:19

I am another teeth grinder but only have to wear my mouthguard at night.

You can get your dentist to trim/smooth any edges that are irritating your gums.

They do take some getting used to but it's worth it. I managed to wear the tops off of my bottom front teeth, and chip one of the top ones before I realised how it was happening.

DH takes the piss and refuses to kiss me goodnight if I've 'got my teeth in' Biscuit

MikeHock · 18/03/2011 13:21

Babies - how is your DD today? Did you manage to get her seen?

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 18/03/2011 14:26

I just took my guard our as my gums are killing me.

Thanks for asking me about my daughter. Yes, we saw the doctor who pulled a Shock face.
Quickly wrote a letter then and there and sent us back to a&e.

Found babysitter for youngest two children, took daughter to a&e. Waited ages. They numbed her hand and used chemicals to burn off the top of her poorly finger, she was so distressed calling for daddy too save her (I suppose because I was already holding her, but I felt terrible)

So more painkillers on her for when the numbness wears off and we have a nurse visiting Monday to redress the new wound. My poor baby girl. :(

OP posts:
MikeHock · 18/03/2011 14:34

Oh dear that sounds so traumatic for you both - what happened to her finger initially?

Poor angel - hope she gets better soon.

Not surprised you ditched the mouth guard when you have all that going on!

Elk · 18/03/2011 14:40

Try soaking your mouth guard in warm/hottish water before you put it in. I find this makes mine feel better when I put it in. Also they do get more comfy as they get older.

Original poster
Babieseverywhere · 18/03/2011 15:08

Thanks Elk, I'll try hot water later and see if that helps.

My daughter was messing about with a gate at school and another child opened it, trapping her finger. :( This was last Friday (which I spent most of the day in a&e with her) we were told it would of healed by now but it its no where near healing.

I am coping a lot better now, I was a total wreak last Friday. As I have a bit of a issue about hospitals, so added in a distressed child and loads of blood. Not a good combination.

Well worst things happen at sea.

OP posts:
Am36butfeel66 · 18/03/2011 20:24

Oh sounds like you have had a really bad day. How is your dd now as I am sure numbing meds have worn off? Hope that she is ok. Keep up with the pain relief and hopefully this time wound will heal.
If your gums are really sore maybe your guard has been made too large, and a return visit to dentist to smooth edges off may be a better for you than you battling with discomfort?
Hope that you both feeling better soon

Lollybrolly · 18/03/2011 20:39

I have a mouth guard too. I have been grinding my teeth and jaw clenching in my sleep for years but a few years ago stress levels hit the roof and the problem became horrendus. I woke one morning unable to close my mouth properly and my bite had completely changed.

Dentist made me an upper jaw guard and to start with I had to wear it as much as possible. It hurt and ached but he also prescribed me 2mg of diazapam as a muscle relaxant which really did help.

I now only wear my guard at night as and when needed. I actually need to go and get a new one made soon as this one as almost been grinded away Blush. I only take the 2mg diazepam at night now and only when really stressed.

I hope it settles down soon for you. I do find if I have not used mine for a while, when I do my jaw aches a bit at first.