Thursday, April 16, 2009

Teeth grinding.....TMJ?

I grind my teeth constantly! I cannot stop! I wear a mouth guard when I sleep, which I could not live without. Problem is, I do it during the day also. I have a stiff achy jaw that pops sometimes. I also get bad headaches and ear aches, recently difficult to hear sometimes also. Are these symptoms of TMJ, and what exactly is that?


Also, any advise as to how to stop grinding? Is there some type of muscle relaxing meds designed for this? Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Teeth grinding.....TMJ?
chewing gum is really bad for tmj and makes it worse because it%26#039;s caused from clenching your jaw and chewing gum does just that. Those are symptoms of tmj. And it is an injury to the tissues (bone, cartilidge injury) at the temporomandibular joint which is where your jaw connects to your skull.





And tmj is NOT lockjaw. Lockjaw is tetanus. It%26#039;s an infection. Tmj is an injury. It can make your jaw lock up, but it is not lockjaw.
Reply:I have the same problem, but dont have a mouth guard. TMJ, isn%26#039;t that lock-jaw? Could be nerves, try chewing gum. Muscle relaxants do help, but don%26#039;t think there is a certain one. Anxiety pill could help too.
Reply:If you write me at my email address I will send you my denturest address, he is a brain when it comes to why and how to fix it.





It sounds like your jaw is out of place and needs to be set into place. I know this is going to shock you, but put a glove on and bit down on your finger using only your back teeth. Do this from the side. You will pop the jaw back into place, and not hurt your finger.


johnmccall2@hotmail.com
Reply:Thats how mine started I was 18 im now 23 and TMJ is the worse thing that has happened to me up to this point. I regret not treating it earlier. I cant sleep at night cause my muscles all over my head feel so weird. IT SUCKS!! You should get it treated.



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Bruxism-teeth grinding...after SSRI?

i have acquired a day time teeth grinding(bruxism) after taking anti depressant (sertaline- ssri) i cant stop the medince but i want to stop my teeth grinding..doest really happen at night....please help.....

Bruxism-teeth grinding...after SSRI?
I have a similar habit when stressed despite SSRI%26#039;s. I mainly have it at night now. I wear a splint to help me. It is likely that if you have it during the day you will have it at night. I was able to break the habit during the day. I did this by making sure that I asked myself regularly during the day %26quot;am I grinding%26quot;. It takes a while to break the habit. It can be broken. It will take patience and persistence. If you work with someone who can ask you through out the day are you grinding. It is helpful. Or maybe get your partner to txt you.
Reply:Teeth grinding is a fairly common side effect of SSRI%26#039;s.


I suffered with it as well after beginning anti depressant therapy and developed terrible headaches as a result of the constant grinding and jaw clenching.





There are mouth pieces that you can buy at pharmacies for around $20 that are made to be molded to your individual tooth/mouth shape and prevent the grinding. These are difficult to wear during the day though if you%26#039;re required to speak at all.


A mouthpiece made for you by a dentist fits much better, though much more expensive, around $300, and can be worn during the day with minimal effects on your speech.





How long have you been on the SSRI?


The good news is that many of the side effects related to taking SSRI%26#039;s often go away after 8-12 weeks or so.


However, the damage the bruxism may do would be permanant.





Please speak with your doctor as he/she may have a better solution.





It always amazed me how many STRANGE side effects SSRI%26#039;s can cause!



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Is teeth grinding (bruxism) always related to stress?

I%26#039;m not sure about this ? I%26#039;ve also heard parasites, neurological disorders, etc will cause it. Have you ever heard of someone losing their teeth because of it. It would be ironic if the stress from worrying about teeth grinding in turned caused more grinding!

Is teeth grinding (bruxism) always related to stress?
Neurological, yes, parasites, yes. Also if it%26#039;s just a habit. You can%26#039;t lose your teeth, but you can crack them, which the dentist will then have to either fix or just take out. Best remedy: bite guard for night. I use one... I just wish that the insurance would have paid for it =(





But a majority of the time, it%26#039;s stress.
Reply:It%26#039;s very common in sleep.





Not much you can do about it.





Valium might help.
Reply:Also do to hunger sometimes.
Reply:hahha dont worry its probably just stress. go to the orthodontist and ask him/her to make you a night guard so you dont grind at night and it will help.
Reply:you know I was looking that up on the internet earlier, because someone mentioned it, and it said that it was due to stress. It is also thought to come from your teeth being unaligned. I clench my teeth at night, and I do believe that is why.
Reply:sleep is the most common time for it and it isn%26#039;t always about stress, you can get a teeth gaurd for night which really help. your teeth won%26#039;t fall out but you will seriously wear them down. go to the dentist and they cast you the night gaurd.
Reply:apparently i grinded my teeth in my sleep after my mom died.
Reply:I used to grind my teeth a lot, you know those mouth protectors football players and boxers use? Try one of those out.....if you are grinding through those then you may need to see a dentist.





Stress is a big reason people grind. But another reason is simply how you live your life. If you are always tense, angry, annoyed by the ignorance around you etc, you will find that you may take that out on your teeth.





Also if you have had bad dental care, your teeth will grind, If you have a Crown or Temp that is sitting too high, you will try to grind it down in your sleep, only to wake up with the worst headache ever.





If you are constantly pessimistic though, I would look to finding a hobby, a new lover, or something to that accord to try and make you happy.
Reply:somebody once told me that people who smoke crack or heroin grind their teeth- stupid hey?



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Bad case of teeth-grinding?

Hey!





So I%26#039;ve been a bad teeth-grinder for a few years and it%26#039;s gotten to the point where some of my teeth are getting pretty sharp/pointy at the places where my grinding is wearing them down. Not only does my jaw hurt in the mornings, but my mouth also tastes ever so slightly of blood when I wake. My dentist is afraid that I%26#039;m going to grind my teeth down far enough that it will cause serious problems. All of the mouth-guards that I%26#039;ve tried so far are not helpful because they are uncomfortable enough that it%26#039;s hard to sleep, and when I do sleep I chew pretty much right through the mouthguard after a few months. I guess I%26#039;m just a nervous, fidgety, stressed person to begin with.





Is there anything I can do to get rid of this problem? I could keep trying mouthguards, but I%26#039;d really like something that could get to the root of the problem. What causes the grinding, mentally, and is there anything I can do calm down that part of the brain???





Thanks.

Bad case of teeth-grinding?
i clamp my jaws shut non stop, actually as i write this im doing it, i have to keep reminding myself to oven my jaws!


ive done alot of damage in my teeth already, 5 fillings, one got a crack right through so i had to get it pulled out, ouch


and its just getting worse, i find the more sleep i get the more relaxed i am


BUT its still not helping that much, i dunno what to do!!!





GOOD LUCK, im with ya
Reply:I had this problem too and I was told that teeth grinding is usually due to stress
Reply:Bruxism is when you clench or grind your teeth.





People can clench and grind subconsciously during both the day and night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control.





The cause of bruxism is not completely agreed upon, but daily stress may be the trigger in many people. Some people probably clench and never feel symptoms. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems may be a complicated mix of factors -- how much stress you are under, how long and tightly you clench and grind, whether your teeth are misaligned, your posture, ability to relax, diet, sleeping habits, and other factors. Each person is probably different.
Reply:Go to the pharmacy and tell them what you are experiencing there is a product there and it is a soft plastic plate you can sleep with in your mouth so you cannot grind your teeth.
Reply:Try acupuncture. Have a friend with similar problem, she did the acupuncture and voila she stopped grinding and clenching her teeth. (she%26#039;s an acupuncturist)




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Teeth grinding/tongue biting...?

i have been grinding my teeth and biting my tongue in my sleep. any advice? i don%26#039;t think i could wear one of those night guard mouth peice things. my husband wakes me up when i am grinding my teeth. my tongue gets pretty sore as well.

Teeth grinding/tongue biting...?
Why do you think you couldn%26#039;t wear %26quot;one of those night guard mouth piece things?%26quot; Of course you could!





Consult your dentist. Mouth guards and bite splints come in all shapes and sizes. Some fit over all your teeth; some just fit to the front 4.





If you really want help with your problem, you should talk to your dentist who should be able to find a workable solution.





FYI: adjusting to something in your mouth is mostly about attitude. If you tell yourself you can%26#039;t, you won%26#039;t be able to.
Reply:put a sock in ur mouth, make sure its clean, ur teeth wont grind and ur tongue wont get bitten. i know it sounds bizarre but i think it cud do the trick
Reply:Consult a dentist. I also grind my teeth when I feel stressed. The stress is the reason
Reply:Go to your dentist- he can form a mouthpiece that you won%26#039;t even notice, and save your teeth from the wear- you can break them !!!! An RN...
Reply:The mouth guard is the only answer. It took me awhile to get use to it but just like everything else once it becomes a habit/part of your everyday routine you will not even notice you have it on.
Reply:get a night guard made by the dentist. we make very thin ones that go around your teeth. we charge $50, but i hear in the states it is $500. beyond that, if you have any mercury amalgam fillings, get them replaced. teeth grinding is one of the symptoms of mercury poisoning.
Reply:You should really try to wear a night guard. I know they aren%26#039;t ideal for comfort, but they are certainly worth it in so many ways. 1. Your teeth won%26#039;t wear down, therefore, you will save LOTS of money down the line 2. You won%26#039;t have jaw pain 3. Your husband will be able to sleep! If you can%26#039;t wear the night/occlusal guard, try wearing whitening trays (that are made by your dentist). That will at least lessen the sound and the wear on your teeth.



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Teeth Grinding Help!?

Ever since I started college I began grinding my teeth. I have a night guard from the dentist, but it broke. I can still use it because of the medal things sticking out to make it stay in my mouth. The only problem is it is in two peices and there is a hole when I wear it. Can you loose teeth when you grind and do they ever grow back after they are gone or chipped off?


Thanks!

Teeth Grinding Help!?
No, after teeth have been ground down, you are stuck with them. I had some porcelain crowns put over eight of my teeth


and two teeth were ground down so small that the crowns kept coming off. You would be better off having your dentist make you another night guard, perhaps a little thicker this time so you won%26#039;t break it. The ones in the drug stores and big box stores are really flimsy compared to the ones that a dentist can make for you, plus the night guards are made by a dentist%26#039;s laboratory especially to fit your teeth, which might make the night guard more comfortable for you. I used to grind my teeth really bad, but now I take medication at night to relax me and I no longer grind my teeth, or at least no where as badly as I used to do. A damaged, chipped, or tooth damaged from clenching your jaws or night grinding need to be repaired by a reliable dentist. These kinds of problems do not go away on their own. And yes, I also have a TMJ problem, as well.


Good luck to you!! :-)
Reply:I do the same...you can get a new night guard from a drugstore...they do the same thing at a fraction of the cost, or so I heard.
Reply:do not listen to the first answerer. Dental guards are especially made so the person does not choke to death. You can get another, although you may want to focus on why your grinding your teeth. Possibly a tmj issue?



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Help with grinding teeth?

I grind my teeth at night unknowingly. I can%26#039;t afford a dental guard from the dentist. I tried an over the counter one and I wore it one night and when I woke up the next morning my jaw hurt so bad, it hurt to open and close my mouth (i have NEVER had that happen before). What can I do to help the grinding, if anything, before I ruin my teeth!?? Is that Colgate Luminous toothpaste good for tooth grinding or what? Thank you!

Help with grinding teeth?
The best option for you is a mouthguard, or the technical term, bit splint, made by your dentist. I know the cost is outrageous! Some insurance companies will cover 1 per lifetime (of the hard guard). The office I work in has 2 options, a hard bite splint, usually costing around $500.00, or a soft bit split, costing around $100.00. We take molds of your teeth for the soft guard too and make it in our office. It%26#039;s made of a material that is thicker than a bleach tray, but pretty much made the same way. A lot of my patients choose this, mostly because of cost, and they do work better than the store bought, %26#039;boil and mold%26#039; mouthguards. You will have to replace the soft guard more often, since it%26#039;s a softer material and you will gradually grind through it over time.





The store bought molds aren%26#039;t the best because they aren%26#039;t very custom to your teeth, and can cause other TMJ issues. It sounds like you are already experiencing some of those. If a patient of mine looses a bite splint, I do recommend them getting a store bought one temporarily if they can%26#039;t go without their professional one for a few days to a week (depending if it%26#039;s made in office or if they have to send it to the lab).





It is important for you to get a mouthguard, especially if you have a lot of wear on your teeth. You are grinding off enamel, and with loss of enamel, you can get sensitvity, can get decay more easily through the thin enamel, more prone to chipped teeth, especially in the front, and you can even ruin your plane of occlusion (a fancy word meaning losing function of your overall bite). Some of these things like chipped teeth can lead into more expensive fixes in the future like crowns or veneers to restore the chipped, thin teeth. Sometimes people grind through the enamel, into the dentin (the second layer of the tooth), and even into the pulp chamber (that contains your nerve and blood supply), which would lead to a root canal, and most likely crown. Those 2 things would be expensive, like a $1,500.00 tooth! I have also seen people grinding so hard that it will irritate the nerve in a particular tooth and lead to a root canal that way. Not because of wear into the pulp chamber, but chronically aggravating a tooth, and the nerve can only take so much brunt until it turns into an abcess.





I%26#039;m not trying to give you the scare tactic, but I am just pointing out how important bite splints are to people to grind or clench. I know it is expensive, but as one other person said, talk to your dentist about a payment plan, or see if they offer the cheaper custom soft guard. If you have insurance, find out if they cover a hard guard at all. It%26#039;s worth checking.





When you do get a guard, it will take some time to get used to it. It will feel odd at first, and you will probably find yourself waking up and taking it out at night, but don%26#039;t give up. As I say it, people get %26#039;married%26#039; to they guard and can%26#039;t sleep without it once they get used to it! Not to mention it does save your teeth, occlusion, TMJ joint in the long run, and it will save you money in the long run too for saving needs for bigger restorative work in the future.





No toothpaste or swish, etc. is going to help your grinding or %26#039;fix%26#039; any worn areas of your teeth. Once enamel is worn away, it%26#039;s gone. Toothpastes like that are good for enamel that is weakened (by the early signs of decay or decalcification), because it can help remineralize the enamel. That means it%26#039;s basically re-strengthening enamel that is already there, it won%26#039;t build up any more enamel. Some toothpastes like that can help with sensitivity too, so if you are having sensitive teeth to cold or sweets, try Sensodyne toothpaste, or Colgate or Crest for sensitive teeth.





Check with other dentists in your area too for costs, etc. Each office is a bit different. Good Luck!
Reply:Talk to your dentist office and tell them your problem and ask if they can put you on a payment plan. The dentist will create a guard for your teeth from a specialized mold - - - fitted just for you. And when you have dental work done, take the guard with you - - - he should make adjustments to the guard for free. I%26#039;ve had my guard for at least 10 years and it is still great. Trust me, if you want to prevent future problems, you%26#039;ll work with the dentist and make payments to get the right thing for your mouth.





After I had children, I suppose the stress contributed to my teeth grinding problem. Within a few years, my front teeth became thin - - - - you can shine a light behind them and see the cracks. The tooth guard works, doesn%26#039;t make my mouth sore, but it does take a few nights to get used to.
Reply:I would try maybe breaking in the mouth guard, maybe wearing it for a little while around the house. Start with a half hour, try taking a nap with it. You should start to get used it it. But it has to be gradually.
Reply:I%26#039;de recommend the night guard the dentist makes for you. A lot of dentists take a payment plan called care credit. You could check that out, I think it%26#039;s carecredit.com.



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