I had a root canal on Thursday. After my full mouth x-ray the dentist pointed out deterioration of the joints that hold your jaw together. He said that it is from clenching teeth, grinding teeth in sleep, etc.
Because that tooth is still tender I noticed (felt) at the gym this AM that I am clenching my teeth at the end of my reps (the ones you can barely muster). Anyone else have this tendancy? and if so, any suggestions to stop it - short of a football type mouth guard.
Your dentist might suggest you have a night guard made if you suffer from nocturnal grinding. If he/she doesn’t suggest it then you can. They (night guards) take some getting used to.
Your dentist should also take that tooth (the root canalled one) slightly out of occlusion, which will help with your sensitivity during root canal treatment.
You can always buy a generic mouth guard and wear it when you lift. Or just try to be more mindful when you train. Exhale out through your mouth during each rep. Open your mouth and make a small O with your lips to help prevent clenching.
Cappy
He has suggested the mouth guard. I truly do not beleive I am grinding at night. The guard is $600. and ins. doesn’t cover any of it (go figure) I wonder if a homemade guard would suffice. I am relatively certain I would be the only person at the gym wearing one. As if I don’t look dorky enough… :>)
[quote]Geminspector wrote:
He has suggested the mouth guard. I truly do not beleive I am grinding at night. The guard is $600. and ins. doesn’t cover any of it (go figure) I wonder if a homemade guard would suffice. I am relatively certain I would be the only person at the gym wearing one. As if I don’t look dorky enough… :>)[/quote]
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure a mouthguard bought at a sports shop for $30 would work just as well.
[quote]rsg wrote:
Geminspector wrote:
He has suggested the mouth guard. I truly do not beleive I am grinding at night. The guard is $600. and ins. doesn’t cover any of it (go figure) I wonder if a homemade guard would suffice. I am relatively certain I would be the only person at the gym wearing one. As if I don’t look dorky enough… :>)
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure a mouthguard bought at a sports shop for $30 would work just as well.[/quote]
That’s what I am thinking. Last time I used one was in High School. Is it the kind you drop into boiling water? The root canal is still painful and I’m not sure how it will react to something hot… not in the mood for more pain :>(
I have trays that the dentist made for my whitening. Wonder if those will work.
[quote]Geminspector wrote:
He has suggested the mouth guard. I truly do not beleive I am grinding at night.[/quote]
OK. But how do you know since you’re asleep? 
Yeah. Once you get a lab involved the price skyrockets. Like anything else.
I really think you can learn to be mindful not to grind or clench while lifting. It’s well worth a try. Do the breathing. If that doesn’t help, then do the breathing while touching the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. That usually does the trick and nobody can tell you’re doing it.
[quote]rsg wrote:
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure a mouthguard bought at a sports shop for $30 would work just as well.[/quote]
Probably will be fine for lifting, but I don’t know if I’d use it at night. They are usually pretty bulky and you’ll probably shove it out of your mouth in about a half hour. It’s hard enough to get used the the acrylic guards.
[quote]Geminspector wrote:
Is it the kind you drop into boiling water?[/quote]
Yup!
Trays for whitening are usually very thin and won’t stand up to a lot of clenching or grinding. I wouldn’t use those and risk trashing them since you may want to use them to touch up your teeth from time to time. Why have to pay to have them remade?
Cappy
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