NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

I grind and clench my teeth when I'm sleeping. I have known this ever since I was young when my sister and I shared a room. My sis used to tell me that it was really loud and that I sounded like a dolphin. It didn't bother me at the time and I never mentioned it to my dentist.

Whenever FH and I go on vacation FH tells me that I grind my teeth almost every night. Even sometimes when I'm waking up I will feel that I have my teeth clenched together really tightly. Again, it never bothered me until recently. A couple of months ago my jaw began getting misaligned and hurts sometimes. I think I am developing TMJ.

I am going to go to the dentist and will tell her about this but I just wanted to see if anyone else is a teeth grinder/clencher. I am thinking that I will probably need a nightguard. Are nightguards covered by insurance? If not, are they expensive?? Also, are they comfortable??

TIA!!

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

I responded on BHB

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

my FH does the same thing when he is really stressed and it wakes me up everytime. they make this over the counter mouth guard thing I saw it on TV but I forgot the name of it.

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

Thanks girls!!

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

I got a nightguard in high school...it wasn't covered by insurance. It wasn't cheap but it wasn't super-expensive. I think it was somewhere along the lines of 200 bucks. I can't imagine an over the counter one fitting everyones mouth. They molded mine to fit my teeth...
It's really bad but I didn't really use mine, I didn't feel comfortable with it on. I have no idea where it is now

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

I am a cleancher & have worn a bite plate to bed for years now & it makes such a difference. No popping, clicking or pain. I was getting headaches too. If I go a night without wearing it I'm uncomfortable the next day so I'm married to it lol. I work for an orthodontist but we share space with a TMJ Specialist. I know his fees are astronomical, but he is very good. So I hope whoever you go to doesn't charge as much as he does..I think most insurance cover TMJ if filed under your medical, I'm pretty sure the bite plate too, but it probably depends on the insurance company. Good luck!!!

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

Oh im a grinder. Im actually chipped my front teeth from grinding soo hard. I also get unbearable migrains due to the grinding. Very often I dream that i still have braces on and that they are killing, in the dream i cut wires and try to rip of the braces. I am assuming i am dreaming this due to the pain i get while I grind. I tried to get a mouthgaurd from my dentist and it was too expensive. I bougth the over the counter one, what a joke. I literally coughed it out. Havent worn it since.

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

I definitely clench my teeth, I don't know about the grinding. I've been diagnosed with TMJ, but never followed up with a dentist about it, I totally should. Good luck, I'd be very curious what they tell you to do and how it turns out

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

Re: NWR: Teeth Grinding/Clenching (x-post)

Thanks girls! I'm going to start with going to the dentist and see what they say. I'm also concerned that I may have TMJ so I think it's really important for me to get an exam. I'll keep you updated!