How to protect your teeth

The Doctor's® NightGuard is a simple, affordable solution for protecting your teeth and jaw from the detrimental effects of nighttime teeth grinding. The Doctor’s® NightGuard consists of a moldable plastic mouth guard that comfortably fits over your upper teeth. The patented design creates a cushion between the upper and lower teeth that absorbs the force of grinding.
The Doctor's® NightGuard was developed by a leading dentist using specially formulated dental impression material. This material is easily and precisely molded to your teeth using hot water. Because you fit The Doctor’s® NightGuard at home, it is much less expensive than a dentist-made orthosis. The entire fitting process takes less than 5 minutes, and the device comes with a complete, illustrated guide to help you through it.

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/nightguard.htm
Nightguard takes the punishment that your teeth would normally endure during bruxism to minimize the damage from grinding your teeth.

A nightguard is a custom-made thin transparent horseshoe-shaped (retainer like appliance) made of hard plastic that has shallow borders for good tooth alignment and ideal bite relationship.

This splint is worn between the top and bottom teeth and does not allow the teeth to interlock which absorbs the force of the clenching and grinding to reduce joint irritation and inflammation.

It takes two appointments:
The first appointment an accurate impression of your upper and lower teeth will be made. These impressions are used to create models of how your teeth fit together. A bite record may be taken. These items are used to form a customized heat-processed hard plastic nightguard. At the second appointment the final fit of the nightguard will be done and adjustments made.

The lifespan of a nightguard is three to ten years. It can protect you from the symptoms of teeth grinding if you wear it regularly which can even lead to a better night’s sleep for you and your partner!

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is grinding your teeth hereditary? I know I did it as a child but I don't know about my usband?
02/07/2004

ok, the article says that it is normal and that it does not create lasting damage and yet a LOT of parents of children with this probelm have said it does. Hmmmmm, well, my son is at this very moment grinding his teeth. I think I did when I was younger. I may still sometimes because I have terrible dreams about all my teeth falling and shrinks say that may be related to it. Also my husband does sometimes terriblely. So, I guess the question is here then, what do we do for our child? I don't know, but if the traditional medical community doesn't have a good answer, I am going to the "witch
doctors" to find out. I can't sleep when he grinds his teeth!!!!! Marianne Escobedo 02/12/2004

My 5 1/2 year old son grinds his teeth so loud that is
seems he will grind them away to his gums. I don't know
what to do. His doctor and dentist say not to worry
about it, but it sounds horrible. Any advice on what
I can do? he has been doing it since he has gotten teeth,
it does not look like he will outgrow it. Please help.
Please help 02/13/2004

My soon to be 3 year old grinds his teeth at night. They have shown significant wear and now he is complaining about his teeth hurting. Is it possible to have something
done now to prevent any more damage to his baby teeth?
Heather 02/15/200