Bruxism ( teeth grinding and clenching) solutions?

We grind or have bruxism for stress but more importantly to force air into our diaphragm. CPAP at the right pressure with full face mask will help tremendously. If you are using just nasal cpap you most likely are leaking air through your mouth and therefore are still grinding.

asleep@thewheel wrote:We grind or have bruxism for stress but more importantly to force air into our diaphragm. CPAP at the right pressure with full face mask will help tremendously. If you are using just nasal cpap you most likely are leaking air through your mouth and therefore are still grinding.

Reply,



I don't leak air thru my mouth but I do tighten my jaws. Besides, what the story during the day when you're off CPAP?

I also experienced teeth grinding, receeding gums and severe sensitivity to cold. The dentist made me a custom-made mouth guard for $250 (insurance didn't cover it) which I assume helped. I stopped wearing it when I started using a chin strap. My mouth remains closed with no problems (pressures 10-15). I'm wondering if it isn't necessary to wear the mouth guard since my jaw doesn't move with the chin strap.

I found a cure for my teeth sensivity to cold. I use Sensodyne toothpaste, but it wasn't enough. I bought prescription toothpaste from my dentist (it wasn't expensive). It is called ControlRx and has a lot of flouride. I rub it on my teeth and gums at night and was also putting it on my mouth guard. I do not rinse my mouth afterwards. It totally took away my sensivity after a couple of weeks. Now I don't need it at all.

I hope you find a simple, inexpensive way to solve your receeding gums! Good luck!

What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?

Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.

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 help you 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.

We have not received it back yet (will try to post about the results once we do), but my wife ordered a custom guard from teethnightguard - dot- com. They sent us (within two days of my order) a kit that will make a mold for them (they are a dental lab) to make her a custom-fitted night guard. The kit came with a large and small mold tray, two pouches of putty you mix together (in less than 45 seconds) - roll into a log - place in the tray - and press the tray onto your teeth. You keep it there for five minutes and then it is very firm when you remove it. The kit also has an envelope for you to mail both trays back (one with the mold and the other they must reuse). I would recommend making sure the tray you select will fit in your mouth and practice putting it in and pressing into place a few times first (before mixing up the putty) as that was what we did and it made a nice mold from what I could tell. The total cost was about $75 (for their regular guard - they offer three different ones) and that includes all shipping charges for the kit and the guard they will make you. Her guard should be in within a week and I can give her feedback then, but she has always hated the "buy it, heat it, and suck it into place" ones. She has a small mouth and said they don't fit well for her at all.

We received the nightguard (that I mentioned above) 9 mailing days (11 days counting two Sundays) later and it fits her perfectly. My wife is very happy with it and said it is nothing at all like the boil-and-bite store-bought guards. Give them a try!

ycartf wrote:We received the nightguard (that I mentioned above) 9 mailing days (11 days counting two Sundays) later and it fits her perfectly. My wife is very happy with it and said it is nothing at all like the boil-and-bite store-bought guards. Give them a try!

Thanks for that info! I tried a boil and bite guard, and while it fit fine, for some reason it ripped up my upper mouth. I supposed if I had used it more than 10 days, perhaps the skin on the roof of my mouth would have toughened up.

I had used it prior to starting CPAP, but it didn't do the trick. If I find I'm grinding my teeth, I'll try this type or guard.

The day my old, hostile boss left, my bruxism stopped and my nails began to grow again.
Work stress is huge for me. I can deal with the husband--too cute to hate.

ycartf wrote:We received the nightguard (that I mentioned above) 9 mailing days (11 days counting two Sundays) later and it fits her perfectly. My wife is very happy with it and said it is nothing at all like the boil-and-bite store-bought guards. Give them a try!

Good for you! Avoiding the inflated $600- $1000 dentist mafia for under $100 is great. I use a boil and bite now, but will look into this one. Thanks.

Tom

I too had teeth grinding problem. Then I consulted a dentist in Redondo Beach. As resulted from the medicines he gave to me, I felt little comfort with grinding.

REMOVED

I got the expensive, custom-made mouth guard from my dentist (fits the upper teeth, and you put it in warm water for 30 seconds before placement in the mouth to make for a really good and comfortable seal). It's helped tremendously, and has helped prevent further gum problems. Based on what I've read, I'd highly recommend going the custom made route if you can afford it. I've been wearing my for over 4+ years now without any problems or side effects -- and it works with my cpap/FFM/partial taping method just fine.

Original post is 3 years old.