Grinding Teeth (Bruxism)

[ThingsThatGoHumpInTheNight]

I grind my teeth at night, badly. Have done so for a few years and can wake myself and my partner up with it. I also 'clench' during the day.

Saw a new dentist a few weeks ago who was concerned that I have exposed the dentine (sp) as they are so worn down and my jaw is becoming unstable . Just picked up a mouthguard today (dentist made) which I now have to wear at night. Does anyone have any tips to help me stop doing this?

I've had this for years, not really thinking anything of it as it hadn't yet damaged my teeth. Recently it has, however, contributed to causing chronic neck/jaw pain (3-4 months so far). I've been prescribed diazepam as a muscle relaxant, but I'm not liking it as it makes me feel quite flat, though it has helped with night clenching/grinding. I tried a mouth guard but found I tended to just bite down on this instead of my teeth (which didn't really help with the neck/jaw pain).
I've downloaded a couple of relaxation apps that I try to listen to at night before sleep. During the day, I try to always be mindful of resting my tongue on the roof of my mouth - how you would hold your tongue if you were to say the letter 'N'. I was told the only time your teeth should be touching is when you are chewing, or briefly when swallowing. I had no idea how much I was clenching until I consciously started trying not to do it.
Stress/anxiety often plays a big part, apparently, so working on reducing these might help if that's the case.
I'm seeing an orthodontic surgeon late August, so hoping he can help. Will let you know if I think of anything else

Oh no Mish, that's annoying that it hasn't helped. I have pretty much had head/ear/neck/shoulder ache for a couple of years and my old dentist never made the connection , visited a new one and had gum guard within a week -been wearing it for two nights niw and pain already improving . Definitely clenching a lot during the day though which I need to work on. Unfortunately if I want to make a living my stress is not going to go away, but I have been told to avoid and . MEGA sad face ! Hope you see some improvement soon

Glad your mouth guard is working :) Perhaps I should stop being stingy and actually try one moulded by the dentist. Mine was one you heat up and mould yourself, as I didn't want to waste hundreds on something that might not work. The thought of being on diazepam and feeling so crappy though for the next month isn't very appealing though, so, yes, think I might give it a try. I'm also finding I'm starting to wake up with 'sore teeth' again (so must be starting to clench/grind in my sleep again) and waking up during the night unable to get back to sleep, so I'm thinking I might be building a tolerance for the diazepam, though there's no way I'm upping the dose
Great when you actually find someone that works out what's going on isn't it? Not clenching during the day is so hard to stop, but I'm getting there. On extended maternity leave here (3+ years so far) so I can't use work as an excuse, although I do have teenagers...My habit I'm finding very hard to break is biting on my lips/the insides of my cheeks. Have done that ever since I can remember, and I catch myself doing it so much still (but stop as soon as I notice). I
I've cut down on caffeine, but wasn't told about alcohol, so thanks for that one. Having said that, time to drag myself out of bed and have a cup of tea.
Hope you continue to improve :)

Yes, hopefully it will carry on working and isn't just my wishful thinking! My guard was £49 , band B (or 2?) on NHS. Was surprised as both dh and mother had them and they cost 200ish , not sure if it's a different type, or just inconsistency across NHS...worth mentioning though, you never kniw!

Ahh, see I'm in Australia - unless privately insured (which I'm not) dental expenses are not subsidised at all (besides a yearly clean and check for those in the teenage years). Actually, there is a public system, but last time I checked, the waiting list was 3-4 years!! Will be worth the $$$ though if it helps. I rang the dentist this morning, and luck was on my side as normally you would wait 3+ weeks for a dental appointment, unless extremely urgent, but they have had a cancellation for tomorrow morning and can squeeze me in

Hi Things... and Mishtabel - just came searching for this topic and found this thread - wondered if either of you are around and have an update? Better still, have things improved for you?

I had severe pain in July which was at first taken to be root canal but investigated and no sign found, so I was told it was because I was grinding. It went away, has now returned - pain all over one side of my face at times - and I've seen the GP who suggested TMJ (ie jaw damaged from grinding) and I'm about to go back to the dentist and see about a new mouthguard ... (abandoned the last one as it seemed to be making it worse!)
Any suggestions/help would be fab. I am dosed on ibuprofen and fed up as it still hurts!

Hi willow

I've also just seen the thread. I've had severe TMJ for a couple of years now because it went undiagnosed for so long but it has improved immensely and I am almostbetter.

I found that hypnotherapy has worked for me. I had about 6 sessions which focused on relaxation and countering the stress and anxiety that was causing the problem.

Also go to your gp and ask for some type of muscle relaxant - I take Amiltryptaline at night. And be more conscious of clenching and stress during the day if yiu can.

I hope you feel better soon!

I have had a mouthguard for a few months now. The best £350 I have ever spent. I sleep so much better and have less pain and headaches. I would not live without it.

Thanks lizzypuffs and sharpkat - though £350 sounds scary! Was that NHS or private? Because my next decision needs to be how much to spend on a mouthguard - maybe the basic NHS one is not subtle enough to work well for a serious problem.
Lizzypuffs - glad you reminded me in your post to stop clenching during the day - I'm sitting here at the computer and it was only when I read that that I realised I'm chewing away at the inside of my mouth again ...!

Yes it's amazing how we do these things without thinking about it. I find the computer the worst place that I clench - often because I'm concentrating.

My mouth guard cost £30 - it's a plastic moulded one. It was on the NHS. It has helped enormously in conjunction with the relaxation therapy.

The hypnotherapy cost £40 per session - which sounds pricey but has been well worth it.