New to this, lots of questions.

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hilz_85
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09 Mar 2009, 9:13 pm

Has anyone else had trouble with their children grinding their teeth in their sleep? It wears down the enamel on his teeth he does it so badly. Then, on top of that, he HATES to have his teeth brushed. (I say it that way because I have to force him to let me do it. He adamantly refuses.) Any way to make them stop?



buryuntime
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09 Mar 2009, 9:35 pm

Yes, I did that when I was younger and also chewed on everything. Caused me to have TMJ and it was so painful I would lay on the floor in a ball crying. So, I was in retainers and braises and such for a long time... anyway, I've conquered grinding teeth/chewing on things now-- just by my parents not allowing me to. Teeth grinding went away by wearing mouth guards to bed.



Tracker
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09 Mar 2009, 11:10 pm

Just get him a mouth protector (like the kind you wear for football) and have him use that at night. I think they might make special ones for night time use that stay in better, but I never looked into it.

And the reason he doesnt like brushing his teeth is because it is PAINFUL! You said it yourself, he wore his enamel down, so his nerves are exposed. Also, most toothpaste has this ultra-minty flavor which is bad enough, but on raw nerves it is like getting stabbed with a knife. Get him some sensodyne (pain numbing) tooth paste and see if that helps.



Lightning88
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10 Mar 2009, 9:30 am

My mom does this whenever she wakes up. Let's just say the dentist has not been pleased. I wish I could help, but I don't really have any suggestions.