I've started grinding teeth in my sleep since getting braces

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#1 Post by **TanyaS** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:54 pm

Hi everyone,
Well, I'm about 3 weeks into having upper and lower linguals.
Things mostly going well, but I'm finding as soon as I go to bed, I start clenching and grinding my teeth against the braces....
I thought initially it might stop after a few days, but it hasn't yet.
Is this common? Would I be likely to need a mouth guard at night or something?
Can be quite painful, as I end up biting on my tongue for long periods overnight too....

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Tanya

#2 Post by **drrick** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:57 am

You have probably been a clencher/grinder all along but didnt notice it. Now that your teeth are more sore/sensitive from the braces you are noticing it more. In my experience most clenchers do not know they are clenching.

#3 Post by **TanyaS** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:22 pm

Thanks for your reply drrick,
Wow, now that you say that, it does make sense- one of my other issues has been TMJ disorder.... I think maybe I'm noticing the grind more because my teeth weren't actually hitting each other before, but now that they're grinding against my lingual brackets, I can actually notice.
Is there anything that helps stop the habit of doing this? Do you think I should look into getting a mouth guard to wear at night?

#4 Post by **drrick** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:10 am

Do you happen to know what type of lingual braces you have?
IBraces?
Ormco Generation7
Other?

#5 Post by **TanyaS** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:12 pm

Hi drrick, the brand is stb, not sure if they are the stb light or different version

#6 Post by **drrick** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:58 am

I would just tell your doc about the girnding and see if he/she feels it is a csomething that needs to be addressed at this point in time.