How to Stop Grinding Teeth at Night

Series Summary

Many people today want a whiter, brighter smile. Some can achieve it with proper oral hygiene, such as regular brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. Some people need a little extra help to get their yellowing teeth to return to the land of sparkling white, especially smokers and coffee drinkers. There are a number of products that will help turn teeth a few shades whiter, including bleaching agents and toothpastes that contain whiteners. For some, these do the trick; for others, over the counter solutions are often hit and miss, with temporary results. There are a number of factors that go into dental care, from choosing the right dentist to taking care of the teeth and gums at home. In this free video series, a licensed dental assistant provides information about brushing teeth, flossing teeth and caring for sensitive teeth. Additional advice on treating canker sores, tooth aches and pain from braces is given as well. Keep the teeth and mouth clean with these dental health tips!

Video Transcript

"Do you tend to grind your teeth at night? Well my name is Michelle and I am a dental assistant with solutions and I am going to explain to you how you can stop grinding your teeth at night. First of all one of the reasons why most people grind their teeth at night is because they are stressed, you are dreaming, all of these type of things that would induce grinding your teeth at night so what you would want to do is see your general dentist, he might be able to make what we call a night guard, also known as a mouth guard. You can take upper and lower impressions, and actually make custom fit night guards for you and you would just put it in your mouth before you go to bed, go to sleep, get a good night's rest. They actually provide a cushion to your teeth and to your TMJ joints which in return basically is telling your TMJ joints to relax, not to clinch down, not to grind. It is a pillow for your teeth is basically what a night guard and a mouth guard is. You also can purchase over-the-counter night guards and mouth guards and they have an actual kit that you can purchase and it looks just like a U shaped rubber tray. You would want to boil it first to get it soft, let it cool, you place it in your mouth, you bite down so therefore it becomes almost like a custom fit tray for your mouth and then you let it cool and rest and then you wear it before you go to bed, put it in your mouth and it becomes a pillow for your teeth at night. Once again my name is Michelle and I just explained to you how you can prevent grinding your teeth at night."