Will any gum guard work to prevent nighttime bruxism?

cashmonger

My dentist told me if my problems persisted with my teeth I should try using a gum shield. At the time I didn't want to try it since Id just had a filling and we said we'd see if things were ok then.

Well its been a couple of months now and my other teeth are getting worse at the same point he said they would; where I grind my teeth.

Can I save a visit to him by just buying any gum shield off ebay? I see some of them say they are for bruxism.

I think it might be too late for one tooth as it feels like its touching a nerve now when I eat but sitll wanna try.

I still have my gum shield from when I used to do thai boxing so I could use that? They seemed the same on ebay ie advertised for boxing and nighttime bruxism.

Fen1

Have you considered visiting an orthodontist? It may be the alignment of the teeth and jaws that are fault. Getting to the root of the problem will be far more beneficial for your dental health than bodging with a gum shield. As you already have a tooth that is so sensitive it would be wise to get them checked properly and avoid further problems.

asajj

Night guards are made to measure - you can buy one from anywhere but it might not work.

brook2jack

Follow your dentists advice. Ready made gumshields from e bay etc are not going to fit well and are bulky and likely to make the problem worse. Boxing gum shields are made to stop trauma to the teeth and soft tissue , so again are not designed for bruxing and are likely to make problems worse.

There are places that sell kits for you to take your own impressions but considering a dentist has had training and years of experience to get an impression right how likely are you to get an accurate impression on your first/second/third go and how do you know the difference between a good and bad impression?

You have around £50,000 worth of teeth in your mouth and the amount you invest in a dentist made brushing appliance is a small investment compared to that !

brook2jack

Fen1 wrote: »

Have you considered visiting an orthodontist? It may be the alignment of the teeth and jaws that are fault. Getting to the root of the problem will be far more beneficial for your dental health than bodging with a gum shield. As you already have a tooth that is so sensitive it would be wise to get them checked properly and avoid further problems.

There are many reasons people Brux but stress is probably the number one cause . The gold standard treatment includes bite raising appliances (gum shields , ni tss etc) . Very rarely would orthodontics be suggested , indeed orthodontic treatment has been suggested as a causative factor.

pollyann164

I wear a night guard every night that I had especially made at the dentist, it's the best money ever spent. Very comfortable and really helps. Another advantage since getting it is that I now rarely get headaches, I think my headaches wear caused by my teeth grinding.

whiteguineapig

i have had beta blockers in the past and this has helped , i grind when i get stressed and they seem to slow me down

belfastgirl23

the boil in the bag ones are rubbish - take my word for it.

My dentist made one for £90 which is better as in it means that the teeth themselves are somewhat protected but when I'm grinding hard they are still sensitive. He mentioned something else that was about £500 that apparently tackles the grinding itself (somehow relaxes the jaw??) but the price tag was enough to make me decide against it at the time, though I'm not so sure now lol.

Been trying to do neck and shoulder exercises etc as well which if I do them consistently do help (text neck a big part of my issue, entirely my own fault).

Will be keeping an eye to see if anyone else comes up with other ideas. Beta blockers seem a bit extreme....then again never say never.

whiteguineapig

its to do with relaxing you i think
they slow you down and make you less stressed which had the knock on effect of me not grinding/clenching
i am much better since i dropped some shifts at work
this last week or so i have had to do extra and the grindings started again
my dentist says retirement is the best cure for grinding

roxy28

Dad was quoted around £240 by the dentist on the nhs, but said if you will go private i will do you one for £30.

katsu

I had a soft silicone one (made by a dentist) but I wore through it in a few months. I now have a hard one made by the dentist for around £200 and it is great. Solves the problem so protects my teeth and Mr Katsu's sleep,