Dental Query - Gumshield

[legal girl]

I've just been to the dentist and been told I grind my teeth at night and need a gumshield at a cost of £200 to wear at night! I want to look after my teeth but just don't have that kind of money at the moment. Someone has told me that if I get a rugby gumshield that will do the job; albeit not as well but better than nothing. Anyone else had any experience of this and would a rugby gumshield really work??

[didoatwork]

I think it might help.

[Clanad]

Here in the U.S., they're readily available on-line or at any drugstore for very little cost... such as here:

http://grinding-teeth...s-for-teeth-grinding/

[legal girl]

Thanks folks for such quick replies!

[jno]

a hand-made gumshield would fit your teeth exactly and fairly tightly. A rugby one would just fit more or less, but that ought to be enough to counter teeth-grinding. Why not try one and see how it feels?

[jno]

just to add: whatever you try, it'll feel very intrusive at first. You get used to it.

[rojash]

I have severe bruxism. I use one of these at night.
http://www.bruxism.or...ht/secure-comfort.php

[J9PUR]

I'm afraid it's not quite that simple..............
There are many types of appliances that can be used to treat bruxism (grinding), and you dentist may have used the term 'gumshield' for simplicity.
You may have been advised:
A Michigan stabilisation splint
A Tanner stabilistaion splint
A soft Polythene Occlusal Cover
An anterior repositioning splint
These all have slightly different functions, not just to act as a 'cushion' between the upper and lower teeth

A sports mouthguard will give you some protection, but you may ideally need a more specific type of appliance

[JonnyBoy12]

I asked this question at my dentist the other day about sporting gumshields. They say that they were about £50 which did not seem too bad. I do not see why this would not work as well as the other kind. They would both stop you grinding your teeth together, wouldn't they?

[susanxx]

the 'gum shield' is usually fitted for the bottom set only. I had one many years ago but the idiotic dentist didn't really know his craft and he made one for the top set. This had a tendency to come out at night but if it didn't then in the morning my gums ere all wrinkly like when you have been too long in the bath because basically the gum had been sitting in fluid all night! Severe bruxism leaves your teeth in a bad way so if you can, get something sorted pretty soon but I think the price quoted is a bit steep even wth private prices.