Teeth grinding

[Snappy]

I was staying at my boyfriends on friday night. He woke me up about 5 times during the nite (much to my annoyance!) to tell me i was grinding my teeth very loudly! I wasnt aware that i was doing this at the time but i know i've done it in the past. Sometimes i chew on my tongue when im asleep, i am aware of this but i feel unable to unclench my jaws to stop! What harm could this cause me? Now i come to think about it, my top teeth on the right side have been a bit sore recently, when i eat or drink certain things. I thought it was sensitive teeth but could it be the grinding?! EEK!

[Clanad]

If it is, one can purchase an over-the-counter tooth-guard for night use to alleviate the symptom.  If this works you can also buy a fitted one from your Dentist that feels a little more comfortable...

[Angel41]

A friend at work had this problem, she went to the dentist and he made her a plastic gum shield to wear at night as it was wearing her teeth down. Not very romantic but better than having no teeth left.

[Kay]

Its sounds like " Bruxism" snappy. I've had this for years and it can lead to earache and jaw stiffness. I had a mouthguard fitted by my dentist but I could'nt get on with it. Try this....Close your mouth and part your teeth slightly whilst letting your jaw drop. You will feel the difference!

[kick3m0n]

my best pal had a mouth guard made by the dentist for a severe case like this.  She was in real danger of damaging her teeth, as well as chewing the insdie of her cheeks etc.  She was waking up with very bad headaches and feeling virtually unslept.  She changed jobs at the start of this year and you know what?  She's not used her mouth guard once since.  You can stop the side affects by use of a guard, but maybe it's worth a look at what (if anything) may be causing such night time tension?  In my pals case it was work related stress.

[Pootle]

When we first met, my girlfriend used to grind her teeth at night and it used to make a hell of a noise. I always found a gentle nudge with my elbow would shut her up and after a few months, it stopped altogether.

[secretspirit]

I'd agree with Poootle's answer. My husband used to get woken up by the sound of me grinding me teeth and I asked him to wake me up if he heard it to stop me. After a while he's just tell me quietly and I'd stop without even waking.