How do you stop teeth grinding?

Answer 1

GRINDING YOUR TEETH at night (BRUXISM) has a few causes, including nervousness, AND reflex chewing activity. The only thing you can do is to see a dentist and get special plastic teeth covers, (biteguards or mouthguards). They're made to fit tightly over your teeth, and you wear them at bedtime. This prevents you from grinding your teeth FLAT, which will happen over time from nighttime grinding. The biteguards are not very expensive. Continued bruxism can ruin fillings, chip or break teeth, and make your teeth FLAT. THE WEBSITE BELOW says that biteguards from the dentist are more expensive; the website offers biteguards made from a thin, comfortable material (EVA polymer). To get it to conform to YOUR teeth, you put it in HOT water, then when it cools just enough not to burn you, you put in your mouth and bite down, and it molds to your teeth.

Answer 2

Most people will wear a special mouth-guard known as a nightguard. These protect the teeth from premature wear. They also can prevent the jaw from over-closing so that when you clench your jaw it is in a more natural position which can alleviate other bruxism (teeth grinding) symptoms such as pain in your TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint - jaw joint) and headaches. You might be able to stop yourself from grinding you teeth by reducing the stress in your life (easier said than done!), reducing your intake of caffeine and alcohol and reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke. Finally, botox is starting to be offered for treating bruxism. The masster muscles (the main jaw controlling muscles) are injecting with the paralyzing toxin to reduce their strength and allieviate the symptoms of grinding teeth. This is more expensive though and it is probably worth waiting for clinical trials to be undertaken. The volume of anecdotal evidence suggests that the treatment is effectice though.

Answer 3

A possible cause for tooth grinding, or bruxism, is an interference with your normal bite. This can come from a restoration that is too high or too low. Unfortunately, there are many other reasons that people grind their teeth. The best treatment is getting a night guard to protect your teeth. Although these cost about $200 it is more than worth the investment. To restore all your teeth after years of grinding will cost you thousands of dollars!

Some other causes for tooth grinding can be brought on by recent stress, maybe working too much. I also found out that a lot of caffeine intake can play a role with bruxism, especially if you are having caffeine during the PM hours when its closer to bed time.

Answer 4

ibuprofen and warm compresses. soft chewing.

The National Institute of Health reccommends this, and to avoid all the most popular, invasive, treatments for TMJD related pain, like progressive splints, ortho, surgeries, anything bite changing. If you aren't a chronic bruxer, and just got sore from a dislocation, dental session, etc., they have good tips on how to calm down TMJ related pain and inflammation: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/topics/tmj/lessisbest.htm

If you are a chronic bruxer (silent clenching or teeth grinding), rent an EMG unit for home sleep studies (rent from a dentist). EMG sleep studies also monitor whether a treatment is working or is not. A lot of treatments will temporarily interrupt chronic bruxism, so watch out for treatments that will give you expensive false hopes. http://www.grindcare.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=112

Cosmetic dentistry and braces can make a wonderful difference in how you look and feel about yourself. Assuming they'll improve TMJJD related pain is unconscionable. Especially now that there are some effective diagnostic tools like EMG now packaged for bruxers.

Answer 5

You can get yourself an occlusal guard (night guard). It protects your teeth and jaw from grinding, and may get you out of the habit completely.

A lot of people will tell you that you have to buy a custom-fitted one through a dentist, but they usually cost hundreds of dollars. Over the counter occlusal guards are much cheaper and often work fine.

Answer 6

Grinding of the teeth is known as Bruxism. A dentist can help teeth grinders by fitting them with a mouth guard. It is also important to avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.

Answer 7

You can stop teeth crunching just by purchusing arubber retanner