Let's talk about Teeth Grinding (gums, hurts, pain, dentist)
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My 29 yo adopted daughter has been grinding her teeth since she got them. It is a family joke that nobody can share a room with her because it is so loud. Sleepovers when she was younger were very embarrassing for her. She's been in a 3 year "sleepover" relationship (living together) with her SO and he doesn't seem to mind.
Every dentist she has been to tells us they see no damage or even indication of teeth grinding. The one she is seeing now asked her to wear a night guard for a month and to bring it in. Dentist was shocked how much damage she had done to the guard and told her she would need a new teeth guard almost every month from now on.
She is seeing a specialist in 2 weeks and called me with a bunch of questions for her appointment. Of course there is no family history so I can't help her there. NO injury other than a tumble on a slide when she was about 3 which scabbed up her nose and upper lip, no illness but she is under a great deal of stress at work but this has been a lifelong problem.
What will a specialist tell her regarding meds which she doesn't want to take, or apparatus for night? She doesn't mind the night guard but apparently her dentist scared her about possible causes and eventual damage.
Something she could try, that's non-"medicine" (it IS medicine, but don't tell her that shhhh):
1. A cup of herbal chamomile tea (not chamomile-flavored tea - no actual tea leaves, just chamomile buds), with a little honey and lemon, around 45 minutes before bedtime.
2. After she's finished the tea, she could try rubbing a tiny bit of Tiger Balm against the pressure points at the back of her neck. If she doesn't have Tiger Balm, then Vick's Vaporub or Ben Gay will do the trick as well. Tiger Balm's just better at this.
The Eucalyptus and Menthol in the rubs serve as a very mild muscle relaxant, while the tea serves not only as a mild sleep aide, it's also a natural antihistimine (working similarly to Benadryl, on a much lighter scale).
The end result, is that her nasal passages will be clearer, promoting nose-breathing while sleeping, drowsiness, and physical relaxation of her jaw.
At the absolute worst, she won't find any help at all from this combination.
At the absolute best, she won't grind her teeth anymore, and have a very comfortable, deeply relaxed sleep.
She is likely to find some result between the best and worst, with no drugs, and no weird apparatus.
If all else fails, half a Xanax often does the trick. The point is to de-stress. Yoga might help too, at least an hour after supper, but at least a half hour before bed.
My 29 yo adopted daughter has been grinding her teeth since she got them. It is a family joke that nobody can share a room with her because it is so loud. Sleepovers when she was younger were very embarrassing for her. She's been in a 3 year "sleepover" relationship (living together) with her SO and he doesn't seem to mind.
Every dentist she has been to tells us they see no damage or even indication of teeth grinding. The one she is seeing now asked her to wear a night guard for a month and to bring it in. Dentist was shocked how much damage she had done to the guard and told her she would need a new teeth guard almost every month from now on.
She is seeing a specialist in 2 weeks and called me with a bunch of questions for her appointment. Of course there is no family history so I can't help her there. NO injury other than a tumble on a slide when she was about 3 which scabbed up her nose and upper lip, no illness but she is under a great deal of stress at work but this has been a lifelong problem.
What will a specialist tell her regarding meds which she doesn't want to take, or apparatus for night? She doesn't mind the night guard but apparently her dentist scared her about possible causes and eventual damage.
i very much appreciate any comments.
I have a massive problem with this and have TMD. I grind my teeth even when I'm awake! "Wear a night guard" for a month doesn't sound like a specifically made one for her, it sounds like one you pick up at the store. Those are pointless.
She needs to get one that is customized to HER teeth. She can wear it on the bottom or the top...mine is on the top and you speak with a lisp when it's in, it's not attractive at all, (which is why I FAIL to understand why insurance companies won't cover it - they say it's not preventative, it's "cosmetic". Idiots. Have they ever worn one? There is nothing cosmetic about it!), BUT it makes a difference in the damage she will do to her teeth.
She will need to get it replaced every so often, as well. Mine is specially made for my teeth, it's hard plastic and even then, I've managed to grind a hole in the back on the left side of this night guard.
She should also be looked at for TMD. (What most people call TMJ)
Not sure what meds you are talking about...I've never been given meds. If my jaw hurts that bad from grinding, I take pain meds..over the counter.
But if she's been grinding all her life, sealants might be a good start, night guard made for her mouth, and have the dentist or another specialist check for TMD.
Stress can make one grind harder but it doesn't necessarily take TMD away just because one stops stressing. It can do a lot of damage...have them check for it.
She has been wearing cheap night guards for years but they are hurting her gums. she had never taken one for the dentist to see. i think she is seeing the specialist so this can be classified by insurance as a medical issue and not a dental issue and then she can get the right kind of nigh guard all thru her life. we've talked about TMJ but supposedly she doesn't have this.
I was just wondering what she might expect from the specialist.
Thanks for your comments
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