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Help me spend my money (or not)

  • Jul. 1st, 2008 at 1:17 PM
closer
Over the last couple of years or so, I've developed a nasty nighttime habit: grinding my teeth.

The Lawyer says that this makes it miserable to sleep next to me, especially when compounded with my other bothersome nighttime habits (stealing blankets, my refusal to wear socks to bed and then rubbing my cold feet on her during winter, lots of tossing and turning, and snoring [and if you didn't think I was a catch before, now you know!]).

The last time I went to my dentist, she offered me the low low price of $500 to make a non-obtrusive mouth guard that would cover my back teeth and prevent grinding. When I told her that I wouldn't be able to afford it, she offered to come down another $100, which at that price point, didn't really make much of a difference to my wallet.

Anyway, it's been several months that dentist appointment, and I keep waking up with an aching jaw that makes me worry that I'm going to grind my teeth down to stumps in 5 years and kick myself for not putting in the money now.

Poll #1214753 $$$
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Would you spend $400 on a custom mouth guard, even though you're prone to losing things?

View Answers

Yes, invest in your teeth!
31 (75.6%)

No, you'll probably lose it and it'll be a waste of money.
5 (12.2%)

I have another ingenious solution that I'll put in the comments.
5 (12.2%)

Tell me something good.



I've also considered buying teeth whitening trays or other over-the-counter mouthguards, but the idea of putting something on for 8 hours at a time that doesn't fit me sounds like misery making.

Does anyone have any sage advice for me?
  • Mood: okay

Comments

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[info]epeolatry wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 05:24 pm (UTC)
I had a custom mouth guard to deal with my teeth grinding & TMJ issues. I would spit it out during the night EVERY NIGHT. I would wake up coughing a lot too. One day I knocked it off the dresser & it broke. Some people say that you can get the cheap athletic kind and they work just as well.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 05:29 pm (UTC)
Did you have the kind that fit over the back of your teeth, or over all of them?

My hope would be that if they're all the way in the back, I wouldn't be able to spit it out. I could be totally mistaken, though.

I should probably just go out and buy an athletic mouth guard to see if it works for me. Where do you recommend I buy one?
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[info]epeolatry wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 05:35 pm (UTC)
The one i had fit against all of my bottom teeth. it was so uncomfortable!

i've heard people get them at any sporting goods store, but i can't imagine those tasting very good either-- maybe a rugby player would have a good suggestion...
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[info]mermeydele wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 05:31 pm (UTC)
i have a custom-made mouth guard for jaw clenching at night. i don't usually wear it. it cost about $400, which is a really good price in dentistry from what i hear. i should wear it more, but it takes some getting used to and i don't really love it. b/c its custom fit, it won't come out of my mouth at all unless i help it, plus its some kind of cleanable plastic, so no breakage either. i think your choice should depend on whether you'd realistically wear it or not.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 05:32 pm (UTC)
I think you're totally right, but I have no idea whether or not I'd wear it until I could try it on. If it was comfortable, I could probably get used to it. But if it felt obtrusive, it'd be a big waste of my money.
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[info]sunhawk wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 06:11 pm (UTC)
I think you should get it. I grind my teeth in my sleep too and eventually it started to give me headaches as well as jaw aches and destroyed a bunch of dental work that took more money to fix. If you get into a routine of putting it on after you brush your teeth at night and take out before you brush your teeth in the morning, it should help prevent losing it :)

It's a little obstrusive while I'm awake but I sleep fine with it and it's made my sleeping much less strained (I also clench my jaw which can mean waking up with a lot of tension in my face) and the mouth piece is not like a hockey mouthguard, it just fits over my bottom row of teeth :)

And you can using those retainer cleaner tabs (that you put in water and it fizzes) to clean it ^_^
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 06:13 pm (UTC)
This is good to hear. I just worry that like many things, I'll lose it!
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[info]youngstudlyboi wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 06:58 pm (UTC)
OK, so it is a bit of an investment, but I went to Tijuana to get the bulk of my expensive dental work done. I don't know if you need just a mouth guard or more work, but if you need more work in addition, consider contacting my dentist there. I can give you the info if you like.

I'd needed a lot of work done and got what would be like $20K here in the States for about $6K just across the US/Mexico border. Safe office and equipment and all, as well. Anyway, I have a clear flexible mouthguard for my top teeth that doesn't hurt at all and I don't know what her price was for that but I'm sure it would be significantly less expensive than $500.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll be able to find something. If you get one here for $400 though just make sure you talk to your dentist about its' comfortability and material it's made of, etc.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 07:08 pm (UTC)
Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately I think the ticket alone would nix the savings.

If I were already going for a vacation, I'd totally do it, but my vaycay fund is all tapped out for the year.
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[info]bloomie79 wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 06:59 pm (UTC)
I have a guard - an NTI one that is just my 2 front teeth. I used to have the full mouth version and went through 2 versions of those (one I ground to pieces) and the NTI is SO the way to go.

I've now had this one for several years and it is much more comfortable than the full mouth ones. It started loosening up after a few years or so and my dentist tightened it no problem so I didn't need to get a new one.

As for losing it, I personally cannot understand how that would happen. It's on my bedside table and I put it in last thing when I'm going to sleep and take it out first thing in the morning. It comes in a handy, dandy little case and it will make you feel so much better you'll always keep track of it. I always leave my suitcase unzipped so I can pack it in last thing when I wake up in the morning.

Oh and my dentist only charged me $250 or so for the NTI a few years ago. He's out in Queens, but for the price he is worth the schlep.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 07:07 pm (UTC)
Oooh, can you send me his info?

tarashuai [at] gmail. Thanks!

I'm also checking into the NYU and Columbia dental schools to see if they'd do it.
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[info]falcngrl wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 07:45 pm (UTC)
I have had two (3??) of these, and am about to get a third (4th??). (I have been wearing them for over 10 years). I think the dentists here (Toronto area) charge about $250. So less than the $400 but not a huge savings. In terms of better sleep (for myself and partners), less wear and tear on my teeth, reduction in sensitivity etc it is well worth it. My grl also wears one.

I leave mine on the bedside table, and rarely even in its container (I think I lost that). It occasionally gets knocked off (usually by my cat with an attraction to plastic who tries to suck it) but never really goes missing.

My grl takes hers off in the bathroom and puts it in the medicine cabinet next to her toothbrush. That way she can rinse it at night and slip it when brushing her teeth. Fail safe.

I have had them for the top and bottom, but in both cases they covered my front teeth, not just back as mentioned above. The one on the bottom started changing the position of my jaw after several years but after switching to the top this went away.

Tanya

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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 07:50 pm (UTC)
My worry about losing them is during travel. But I guess it'd be worth the few nights of grinding if I just decided not to take it on me when traveling and risk losing it.
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[info]falcngrl wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 08:41 pm (UTC)
For sure. I find it hard to sleep now without one but my grl doesn't. So if you miss a couple days here or there, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The overall success will be worth the cost.

Tanya
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[info]clockwatcher wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 08:28 pm (UTC)
I'll be real. I got one. I don't use it. I have used it 5 times.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 09:47 pm (UTC)
I worry about this too!
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[info]outcastspice wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 10:03 pm (UTC)
Pixel has one that we bought at the drugstore, it's not an athletic one - it's made for wearing while you sleep. He finds it just fine, although it took some getting used to. it was like $12, so worth trying to see if it is good enough.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 10:11 pm (UTC)
I found one for $30 at the drugstore, but maybe I need to look at different drugstores to see if I could find a cheaper one!
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[info]outcastspice wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 10:56 pm (UTC)
well, $30 is still a lot better than 500, maybe it's still worth a shot! :)
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[info]jethead wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 10:07 pm (UTC)
Spend the $400. I didn't spend the $400 a few years ago and ended up spending $4,000 in root canals from the three teeth a I cracked from grinding. I was worried about losing it too, but then I remembered I paid as much for it as my chunky silver bracelet so I treat it as if it were my chunky silver bracelet. I've had it for two years and I've never lost it. Actually, I know where it is ALL the time. My jaw feels better too.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 10:10 pm (UTC)
This is a good point.

It's true that I don't lose things like my cell phone or my wallet or my laptop, so I'd just have to treat my mouthguard like the valuable possession that it would be.
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[info]teanut wrote:
Jul. 1st, 2008 11:10 pm (UTC)
I say totally get it and even if you find yourself not using it tonnes then at least you have the option. I feel like you wouldn't lose it. It's not something that goes in yer bag with you wherever you go and if it does then I suggest getting a case for it which makes it easier to find and harder to misplace (/crack). I have partials for my front teeth and while I have misplaced them before I am now in the habit of just putting them in their case in the cabinet when I take them out.
Also, maybe something to practice with first. When I was considering buying myself a fancy pair of sunglasses I made myself practice with cheapy ones first. Carrying them everywhere in their case and taking good care of them (I was prone to going through 4 or 5 pairs a year with all the breaking and losing I was doing.) I feel like just being aware of it and viewing them as a precious item makes the difference.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 02:25 pm (UTC)
If I did get them, I think I'd just have to institute a No Travel rule. That way, if they were "lost," at least they'd be lost in my house vs. in another locale.
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[info]kommishoner wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 12:12 am (UTC)
i voted to invest in it, but i want to revise: see if you can find an otc version first. an athletic one might work okay, and it's certainly worth a shot. i don't remember if mine went all the way to my back molars, but if the front teeth are held apart, it would likely keep the back ones apart too. but i'd go with the otc one for sleeping that someone mentioned above first.
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 02:26 pm (UTC)
I think that's a good compromise. I'll try the OTC ones first.
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[info]hotchpot wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 01:32 am (UTC)
OK, don't spend the $400. I had this same problem and I bought the mouthguard. I couldn't breathe, couldn't sleep. As a last ditch I went to Target and bought an adjustable SleepRight mouthguard and it is the best thing ever, so comfortable, no problems, it cost around $40.

www.sleepright.com
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 02:26 pm (UTC)
Oooh, looks promising! I found them on Amazon, and I think I'm going to give them a try.
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[info]rainbowthespian wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 03:57 am (UTC)
Yes, I agree with getting an OTC one and trying it for at least a few weeks to see if you get used to it. Good luck! Dental issues are oogy. My wife grinds her teeth in her sleep and it wakes me up in the middle of the night. She's a catch too. :)
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[info]bias_cut wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2008 02:27 pm (UTC)
Glad to know the teeth grinding isn't a dealbreaker! I know I get especially irritable when I sleep, so it's good to know that other people are more forgiving.
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