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Random one, but I figure someone will've had this issue. I grind my teeth while I sleep. Don't do it while I'm awake, but in the morning my teeth are really sore, and sometimes I've tweaked my jaw muscle so I can't chew properly.
I have a mouthguard I wear occasionally - mainly when I've had a drink and know I'll definitely be grinding - but has anyone found a way to actually reduce or stop grinding their teeth asleep?
It's probably stress related, maybe this video will help?
I got a splint from the dentist as I kept breaking tooth repairs in my sleep, I don't consciously clench teeth but had same symptoms as the OP and the surface of my split is rough from grinding so I definitely do it. I'm just going to live with my splint as it encourages good dental habits as daily flossing is a must.
I used to do it, especially when stressed.
It is something that you kind of grow out of when you turn 50 so your username might suggest some relief on the way. Two pillows angled helped me. High at the back or top of the head lower under the jaw so there was less pressure under the jaw. It was very hit and miss though.
I also had a mouth guard in my 30’s which worked if I used it sporadically. If I wore it for too many nights I used to start chewing it in my sleep. I also used to take it out in my sleep and invariably leave it mrs jp’s pillow. Oh how she laughed 😁
Only way I have reduced it is to wear a mouthguard every night. I get them online, put them in hot water and mould them to my teeth. They're pretty cheap to buy a box and I change them every 3 months or so. I've got used to it and immediately wonder what's missing if I go to bed without the guard in, in the same manner if I get on my bike without my helmet I instantly feel something is missing and go and find my helmet.
With the price of any dentistry work I am happy to keep using the mouthguards. I wasn't aware I was grinding my teeth until it was too late as I didn't suffer any pain or soreness in the mornings until the surface had eroded. Since using the guards the wear has completely stopped and its not worth the risk of trying some other method to reduce grinding.
I have used a mouthguard since 2020. Apparently I grind or smash my teeth together and it resulted in many cracked and damaged teeth. The dentist wasn’t much help, suggesting some exercises before bed. After losing a tooth that I was waiting to have crowned during covid I started using mouthguards and now have one every night. I use one from Boots, expensive at £30 but since using them I haven’t had any more cracked teeth. I was that I’d done this thirty years ago.
It's probably stress related, maybe this video will help?
As soon as I saw the thread title I thought of that 🙂
'In my sleep, I grind my teeth'.