How to Stop Grinding Teeth

Nighttime tooth grinding is a movement disorder in which the sleeper clenches or grinds his teeth. Tooth grinding can produce unusual wearing down of the teeth as well as cracks in the surface of tooth enamel. The disorder can lead to pain in the jaw, known as TMJ and teeth can become loose and gradually move out of place, so it is important to prevent teeth grinding.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Get dental checks regularly. If someone else has not already called the tooth grinding to the grinder's attention, the results are usually observed by a dentist. Dentists can fit a patient with personalized plastic mouth guards that fit over the bottom or top teeth.

2. Buy plastic mouth guards in drug stores and supermarkets, marketed as a night guard or dental guard. They can be fitted by warming them in hot water and shaping them over the teeth. Tooth grinders might consider trying one of these if they can't afford to invest immediately in a custom made guard from the dentist.

3. Consider using GrindAlert, a device that uses biofeedback to signal a sleeper when the grinding starts. The battery powered device sends a tone to signal the sleeper to stop.

4. Try to reduce stress. Tooth grinding at night can be a symptom of daytime stress. Seek counseling if appropriate to help deal with life stresses. If the tooth grinder is a child, help him or her talk about things that might be causing upsets.

Tips & Warnings

• A fitted mouth guard from your dentist is much more comfortable and durable than the mouth guards available in drugstores.
• Before buying a drugstore mouth guard, be sure to read the warnings on the package.

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[larryamber]

on 1/30/2008 Hi There,

I agree that getting a night guard is a good idea to stop destroying your teeth. But, To completly stop grinding your teeth you need to do some exercises and change parts of your diet.

If you look at www.cureforbruxism.com you will see how there is much more you can do if you want to stop teeth grinding