How do I save my teeth from weak enamel and grinding?
I am not a dentist – but I have been bank rolling one. You need a bite splint to save your teeth – spend the money and get a good one, as you’ll be wearing it every night – dentist will mould your upper teeth and have a snug fitting splint made – cheap or over the counter bite splints can cause other problems (plus, they’re generally uncomfortable). Have your teeth properly cleaned to remove all the scale build up, then get a flouride treatment – which will strengthen your enamel. After brushing and flossing – use GC Tooth Mousse as an additional treatment to help strengthen what tooth enamel you have left. Speak to your GP about who you should seek to advise you on why you’re actually grinding. If you drink a lot of coffee, do cocaine, or lead a generally stressful life – these all lead to the grinding scenario.
Nthing the nightguard. I have weird gaps in my teeth due to another issue, but they were getting worse because my grinding was changing my bite, so I got one. It took a few weeks — you have to get molded, then wait for the actual nightguard, but it’s been so worth it. After about a year, I can feel where I’ve worn down the plastic. It’s pretty shocking, actually. My dentist gave me a carrying case for my nightguard and I’ve never lost it. She suggested the carrying case because apparently dogs love to eat them. They are pricey, but it’s possible that your insurance will pay for at least part. Also, if you’re having pains in your ears, you might find that the nightguard helps with that, too. Turns out the grinding causes them sometimes.
(I am not a dental professional, but I spent the last three years working in a dental office, I ask *lots* of questions, and I’ve had really bad jaw problems for almost ten years, which I’ve controlled through a number of ways I’ll end up listing, plus a few that I won’t.) You have to be really careful with the cheapo guards – if you don’t fit it exactly right, you could do more harm than good by forcing your jaw to change position. Definitely get one that’s made by your dentist, and don’t forget to ask about coming in for adjustments. One thing that helped me get into the habit of flossing more regularly was finding a brand that I really liked and leaving a couple packages around my house, like by my bed and by the computer. Until I started using Butler Gum’s Eez-Thru Floss, I could never do a proper job because it just shredded and got caught and felt uncomfortable.
