Do you wear a nightguard for your teeth??

[SusanMac]

I recently got a new implant/cap, and am an avvid tooth-grinder at night. So, my dentist said I should get a night guard, mainly to ensure no problems with my implant. I've heard about them, but don't have much input based on real experience.

Do any of you wear them? Is it a pain? Is it comfortable? Do you really, really wear it every night? Does it really prevent you from grinding? My insurance doesn't cover this, so I am trying to determine if it's worth the $$. (they're way more expensive than I expected)

TIA

[clairea]

Susan,
I wear a nightguard, and I definitely think it was worth the cost (and you are right, they are expensive!). I am a *serious* toothgrinder -- I broke 2 teeth grinding, had those crowned, and broke one of the crowns grinding! After that, I decided to go ahead and get the nightguard. My jaw often stills feels tight in the morning so I don't think it really stops the grinding/clenching, but it does keep me from damaging my teeth while I am doing it. Fortunately, that loosens up quickly for me and I don't have other problems like TMJ so I just deal with it. It definitely takes some getting used to, but I have been wearing mine regularly for several months now and it really doesn't bother me anymore. I really do wear it every night unless I am really congested -- I find it makes it hard to breathe through my mouth if my nose is stuffy.

Claire

[Angela]

I've had one for about 6 years. I don't wear it everynight (though I did at first)--usually only wear it when I feel stressed during the day, but can tell when I don't wear it. When I don't wear it the next day my jaw is stiff. It's not a pain and I hardly notice it's there, but it did take a few days to get used to. There are actually indents in the mold from my teeth grinding it! So I don't think it actually prevents grinding, just stops your teeth from grinding each other and causing wear.
As for the cost and was it worth it--I say yes. I was fresh out of college and didn't think to ask how much it would cost or if insurance covered any or all the cost. I ended up paying out of pocket about $300, which I did not have to spare, cried when I got home and realized how much money I'd spent. Guess that was my motivation to wear it!

[KimK]

I also wear a night guard made by my dentist. He says it'll protect my teeth, as well as preserve my jaw bones, so my roots won't dissolve as I age.

You may wish to try one of the bite guards you buy at the store and mold to your mouth. You should be able to find them in a good pharmacy or one of the super stores.

[Shirley Ekstein]

Good grief - England really must be a third world country. Night Guards for teeth conjure up, for me, a vision of an armour be-suited, sword-wielding knight by the bed -
'Ho Minion! Thou Shalt Not Grind Thy Teeth on Pain of Sword Thrust Through thy Jaw'.
But really - serious question - would it not be better to try and relax your jaw a bit and so stop grinding your teeth together when asleep? (Do realise this might be a rather simplistic reply - am open to shots across my bows, or retalitory sword-thrusts from Night Guards.)

[Wendy w]

My room mate had surgery last year and was going through a phase where she was grinding her teeth at night. She asked her dentist about a mouth guard and he quoted her big $$$ for it.

I don't think you would want to go this route, but she went to the sporting goods store and bought one of those athletic mouth guards used in hockey, etc. It worked for her (she didn't need it for very long) and she spent under $2.00.

Shirley, you crack me up!! Nice to see you!

[boots]

I've had a nightguard since September. I am also a major grinder especially when I'm stressed. A couple of my molars were really sore and it has completely eliminated that. I really hated it at the beginning but have pretty much gotten used to it. My major motivator was the cost; once I spent the money, it seemed like I better wear it!
Shirley, I can see what you mean by simply relaxing your jaw but unfortunately it seems to be a subconscious thing. I wish I could stop, my brother, sister and I all grind our teeth for some reason!

[hlao23]

I wear one...have for about - Wow - 8 years now. I can definately tell the difference when I don't wear it for a nite or 2. Somehow mine was covered by insurance so the cost wasn't an issue.

I guess you could think about this way: maybe X number of dollars doesn't seem like so much if you'll be using it for years and years.

mine is not at all uncomfortable...though I remember it being a little difficult to remove when I first got it.

[olive101]

I wear one to prevent deteriorating my teeth, because I clench and grind. It does not stop you from grinding. Even when I wear it, I sometimes have soreness or stiffness in my jaw. Mine cost $900, and my insurance covered about 1/2. I wound up having my dental insurance cover it, but my medical would have covered it if the doctor wrote a letter of medical need. For me, it was medically necessary.

Shirley, when I first was treated, I took muscle relaxers at night to help prevent it, but it doesn't work totally. Also, it is a subconscious thing. I do it when I am awake too, without realizing it, mostly when I am stressed or in heavy concentration.

[crlykat]

My husband and I both wear one. I think it really helps--I was getting recession in my gums, headaches, and sore jaw all due to grinding and clenching. I think ours cost 300 each.
Insurance usually doesn't pay. It was uncomfortable at first, but like others said, if I'm going to pay that much, I will wear it! Now I feel funny if I'm not wearing it.

[SusanMac]

thanks for all the great input. shirley - it sounds like us americans are just a bit more stressed out than the brits.

crlykat - that's probably good that both you & DH wear one. i don't imagine they're very romantic ;-)

[TLee4]

I am a lifelong grinder (although I don't FEEL stressed!) and have a nightguard. When I look at the damage I do to IT, it makes me realize how much damage you do to your teeth over time without it. I've tried to be very faithful about wearing it lately.

Terri

[JJ40]

I am a teeth clencher, and have worn a nightguard for years. It doesn't totally stop me from clenching, but it does protect my teeth. I notice that if I don't wear it for a night or two, my jaw is sore when I wake up. My guess is that the investment is worth it.

Julie

P.S. My new massage therapist told me that I have the strongest jaw muscles she has ever seen! Wish I could flex my abs at night instead of clenching my teeth!!

[phantomcg]

I wear a mouthguard too and have for about 4 years now. I clench my teeth more than I grind. In fact if I know that I'm going to be working on the computer at work alot, I'll wear my mouthguard to work. It has made a huge difference in the number of migraines that I get. I also have TMJ and when the dentist told me that it would probably help my headaches, I was sold. I actually don't feel comfortable if I forget to put it in at night. When I first got it, I wore it 24/7 for 6 months. I do remember having some problems getting used to it but now it's fine.

Cheryl

[hlao23]

Originally posted by JJ40
P.S. My new massage therapist told me that I have the strongest jaw muscles she has ever seen! Wish I could flex my abs at night instead of clenching my teeth!!

LOL! If you figure that one out, please share with the rest of us.