Teeth Clenching

[vicento]

Have mentioned this prob on a different thread to do with my ear. But ENT Surgeon has given my ear the all clear.


Have had the prob on and off for 4 years. Treated mostly by using bite guards (Now on No.5!)


Can normally cope with the discomfort/ pain in my current job (Civil Servant) but about the throw the towel in and train to become a pilot.

Extremely worried that this will impact my ability to train/ function 100%

Aside the bite guards have tried some other medication/ relaxation techinques/ chiropracter/ osteopath/ homeopathy etc.

Really want to get this sorted out before I sign up to a £50K course.

Any ideas folks????

[Rabid Dog]

Depends upon what symptoms you have.
Dentists themselves cannot agree on the best way to solve the problem. I was discussing this very problem with a Dentist colleague least week. There are 2 schools of thought - a full bite guard (but that doesn't stop the clenching, hence headaches etc. may still occur; or the little upper incisor guard, which appears to ease the clenching, but erodes the lower incisors.
My own dentist refers people with problems to Physio who specialises in TMJ (Temporomandibular joint, ie. where the lower jaw joins the skull, just in front of the ear) rehabilitation , apparently with really good results. He also reckons that chewing gum is bad, as it aids in the strengthening of teh jaw muscles.
Hope this helps - maybe you need a second opinion from another Dentist.
RD.

[Hawk]

Teeth clenching or grinding (Bruxism) appears to be associated with stress and sleep disorders. Bruxism can be a disorder in itself or a symptom of an underlying neurological condition.


Although mouthguards prevent further damage to your teeth, it might be worthwhile obtaining a referal to a specialist with an interest in this type of condition. Can you elaborate on the stress management techniques you have tried?

[vicento]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So far I have been treated by my regular dentist, a local specialist, and more recently Prof Lamey, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

The latest model bite guard being made from very hard plastic which covers all the top teeth.

The Prof gave me a relaxation tape (30 mins) to use before bed time. Helps me get over to sleep, but still getting a sore head.

Haven't yet tried the device which fits over the incisors, but spoke to a specialist in London (Not that convienient for me) who may be able to help?

[Loose rivets]

I have wondered about this for many years. I was gifted with very straight teeth, but my dentist has admonished me for grinding them at night--for the last 30 years. I put it down to training myself to keep my jaw strong over many years of sports, and was not convinced that my wear and tear was caused at night, but I realized that I was really crunching them tight at every exertion during DIY etc.

I have a feeling that the only way to be sure of a complete cure, is to devise some sort of aversion therapy.

Quite how this would be done I’m not sure, but during waking hours some device that would cause sharp but harmless pain, would soon program one to not clench the jaw. Whether or not this would extend into sleeping hours I don’t know, but my guess is that it would. There are precedents in the way children are steered away from nail biting etc. This seems to stop the biting during semi conscious periods, but may not translate to REM sleep periods.