Top teeth clicking from bruxism

[Hannahc0521]

I've read countless stuff of this being normal. I just went to the dentist after a long time recently due to tooth pain and found out I grind when I sleep. I got a mouth guard, brush and floss twice a day. But my top teeth still feel like they're being damaged. After I eat all of my top front teeth click when I push with my tongue, and feel loose and sensitive. I've tried everything to calm my grinding but nothing seems to be working. My teeth have shifted some, I'm worried about losing my teeth. The clicking is scary, not painful. 2 of my teeth feel really bad and sensitive and weird to touch. What can I do? My next appointment is monday for a deep clean but everyday I'm just worried

 

[geos]

At your deep cleaning ask for them to take a look at this. Since when do you have the mouth guard? Things won’t improve overnight and it takes time.

 

[Hannahc0521]

At your deep cleaning ask for them to take a look at this. Since when do you have the mouth guard? Things won’t improve overnight and it takes time.

I've had it for almost a month now. My teeth have shifted and are crooked now :/

 

[Niall Neeson]

Hi, if your teeth are moving and you’ve been recommended to have deep cleaning, the big challenge may be gum (periodontal) disease. Has that been discussed? Grinding can speed up the detrimental effects of this and they’re not a good combination.

it’s certainly best to comprehensively address the health of the gums as well as the grinding for the best chance of success.

 

[Hannahc0521]

Hi, if your teeth are moving and you’ve been recommended to have deep cleaning, the big challenge may be gum (periodontal) disease. Has that been discussed? Grinding can speed up the detrimental effects of this and they’re not a good combination.

it’s certainly best to comprehensively address the health of the gums as well as the grinding for the best chance of success.

They said I have very early signs, only 1 5m pocket and I'm getting the clean monday. I'm just in so much pain

 

[Niall Neeson]

Sorry to hear you’re in such pain.

When you wear your guard and you bite together are all the opposing teeth biting against the guard evenly or is it hitting first anywhere in particular? Is the guard a hard material or can you chew into it?

I’d also suggest keeping your diet very soft for now (if you’re not already), avoid chewing gum, any habits like nail-biting etc. It may be worth exploring specialists/ dentists in your area with an interest in treating tooth grinding/ TMJ dysfunction. Although your symptoms are not from your jaw, people with additional TMJ expertise would have an in-depth understanding of the sources of unhelpful forces that can be applied to the teeth, and how to manage them.

 

[Judythecat]

My top front teeth had very slight mobility because of bruxism. My dentist explained there are three stages of mobility, with 1 being the teeth moving slightly above normal, to 3 being very loose. Mine were just bordering on 1. I was actually clenching my teeth into my night guard, and pretty much rocking them in their sockets! I was switched to a lower guard, and at my last two checkups I have had no abnormal mobility at all in the teeth.

I didn’t have pain, or any gum disease, so not an identical situation, but just wanted to let you know that it can (in my case at least) be resolved.

I also think it’s worth bearing in mind that what you feel in your mouth/with your tongue can often be a very exaggerated sensation in comparison with what is really happening. I felt like my teeth were flapping about, and was paranoid people could see it. Even at the worst, my dentist told me they were moving less than the width of a head hair!

 

[Hannahc0521]

My top front teeth had very slight mobility because of bruxism. My dentist explained there are three stages of mobility, with 1 being the teeth moving slightly above normal, to 3 being very loose. Mine were just bordering on 1. I was actually clenching my teeth into my night guard, and pretty much rocking them in their sockets! I was switched to a lower guard, and at my last two checkups I have had no abnormal mobility at all in the teeth.

I didn’t have pain, or any gum disease, so not an identical situation, but just wanted to let you know that it can (in my case at least) be resolved.

I also think it’s worth bearing in mind that what you feel in your mouth/with your tongue can often be a very exaggerated sensation in comparison with what is really happening. I felt like my teeth were flapping about, and was paranoid people could see it. Even at the worst, my dentist told me they were moving less than the width of a head hair!

Thank you for replying. Yeah the pain is so obnoxious and unbearable like someone socked me in the mouth. I have to repeat to myself my teeth aren't loose and it's just in my head. But god they hurt

 

[MountainMama]

I don't have gum disease, but did have chronic infection in my front upper tooth from a childhood injury. I had a root canal that didn't work to remove all infection. Before the tooth was removed, I was having terrible sensitivity and pain in my upper tooth and lateral incisor next to the front tooth. I was terrified that they were going to end up having to come out as well. The lateral incisor was clicking and felt loose. I got a custom nightguard made, and was told to "rest" the teeth. I clenched at night as well. After several weeks of wearing the nightguard and not using those teeth, the pain went away.

 

[Hannahc0521]

I don't have gum disease, but did have chronic infection in my front upper tooth from a childhood injury. I had a root canal that didn't work to remove all infection. Before the tooth was removed, I was having terrible sensitivity and pain in my upper tooth and lateral incisor next to the front tooth. I was terrified that they were going to end up having to come out as well. The lateral incisor was clicking and felt loose. I got a custom nightguard made, and was told to "rest" the teeth. I clenched at night as well. After several weeks of wearing the nightguard and not using those teeth, the pain went away.

I wear it every night and it's been a month and still feel the pain I dont use my front teeth, drink with straws, I just walk around with ice on my face at this point. No infections, one of my teeth the dentist said def had trauma in it from a past injury I had and that's why it hurts when I clench

 

[Niall Neeson]

I wear it every night and it's been a month and still feel the pain I dont use my front teeth, drink with straws, I just walk around with ice on my face at this point. No infections, one of my teeth the dentist said def had trauma in it from a past injury I had and that's why it hurts when I clench

I really feel for you. Have you ever practised mindfulness/ meditation/ hypnosis? If you can find a successful form of relaxation it may be useful to do this before bed (and probably throughout the day if possible).

Also if there is a significant source of stress in your life that you can do something about, I would suggest addressing it if at all possible.

Often it can be more helpful to tackle the ‘cause’ of the grinding rather than manage the after-effects. Easier said than done at times but best to cover all angles if possible.

 

[Niall Neeson]

Music may be another option to encourage relaxation if it appeals to you