my dentist thinks i need a mouthguard, ugh!

[nutzforcats]

I went for my cleaning and check-up, need one filling redone due to a new cavity and also a tiny filling due to abfraction, I have no other symptoms but been under a lot of stress so am not surprised i've been grinding my teeth-,my older cat got very ill, had to care for her for weeks and then had to put her to sleep , my dentist didn't notice anything last year so this is a new thing for me. I really don't want to wear one as one of my main fears is things in my mouth and definately not during the night! Also, the cost is crazy, $470 and i'm on disability, not going to pay that and then probably not be able to wear it. What else can i do? jaw exercises or something, i don't want my enamel to wear but just can't do a mouthguard! I will see if i can wait a year, see how my teeth are and go from there, i can check them myself as well, will talk to him when i go back in two weeks for the fillings. I really didn't need this on top of everything, i could hardly sleep last night as i worried i would wreck my teeth and if i don't do this, my teeth will pay for it. I also worry it's a money grab, i did some research and they aren't even sure why abfraction happens! i am 53 so it could be due to age which is out of my control.

 

[BigBorf]

I'm not a dentist and I don't have a lot of experience, but when I spoke with my dentist about a mouthguard and having to save for it after getting a TMJ diagnosis, they did mention using an over the counter night guard during the interim to stop the proliferation of damage. I'd suggest you bring that up with your dentist while also trying to make sure to save some money for one. As I've seen, the difference for an Over the Counter and professional mouthguard is night and day.

 

[nutzforcats]

thank you, I did ask the dental hygenist and she said not to get those but i will ask the dentist next week when i go.