Grinding teeth (human ones not crank teeth)

[Odinson]

Pretty sure I'm also grinding my teeth. Don't have any classic symptoms, but I have noticed some strange wear patterns on my teeth. I also sometimes wake up and realise that I'm kind of sucking my mouth. Was probably weened to early. 

[Zatopek]

That was quick!  He replied to me query to say that you must ask your dental lab to use a new material called Dual Laminate 1.8mm.  He says they should know what that means.  It is a newish product on the market so they may have to track it down if they are not already using it but he says it makes a HUGE difference.

Appreciated! Please thank him on my behalf. 

[Zatopek]

I also didn't believe that I was grinding my teeth in my sleep. Other than my teeth slowly wearing down, I had no symptoms, and my partner never heard anything. But I got the bite plate anyway. I only wear it at night, and there is clear evidence in terms of wear on the bite plate that I'm grinding at night.

Ok, noted 

 

Will then give that a try as well.

[Dirkitech]

I suspect that I might just be Tyler Hamilton's missing twin brother being kept captive up in the body of a rugby prop 

 

Seriously though - my dentist warned me that I'm grinding my teeth and I need to prevent doing that while sleeping. I'm not so sure that is while sleep though... (My wife assure me she did not hear a thing for the past 16 years)

 

I also tested myself today on short steep climbs - and my natural behavior is to clench my teeth while attempting to murder my cranks with watts. Crock vs Wildebeest style...

 

I have an appointment tomorrow to make a mold for a mouth guard. Apparently it look like a rugby one, but to be used while sleeping. I will take this angle up with the dentist tomorrow, but would be interested to know:

• If someone else experience this?
• Also if one get some kind of teeth space that would allow more breathing than a rugby mouth guard?

 

One can certainly try to teach oneself to have a different behavior while cycling, which I will attempt. Sadly one might loose some power/efficiency    (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/can-clenching-jaw-make-ride-faster-144747)

Hi Zatopek, glad you asked this because I'm doing it right now. Figured out it is due to the long work hours and general high alertness 24/7, but on the bike it disappears, opposite to you. I've noticed that when on holiday in the bush, the tenseness, teeth grinding and short fused jaw clenching eventually disappears!

It seems like your query has already been answered, but thought I'd add that I have a mouth plate from orthodontist that I wear at night which stops the teeth grinding while sleeping. It has stainless steel wires that holds onto the rear chew-teeth and the stainless steel wire wraps below the tooth to either side, separating the top and bottom teeth. As I understand it, it essentially works very similar to a bite plate at least. The sooner you get the teeth grinding to stop, the better! Good luck with your research with the suggested material.

 

Edit: just google searched that Dual Laminate 1.8mm suggestion you received and that is coincidentally what I have (mine is called an anterior bite plate, but seems like there are different options for the material). I've had it since I'm guessing around 8 years now, so shouldn't have trouble finding it here. The plate is contoured to the unique tissue texture of your mouth for a perfect fit, so like Gary said, its super comfy.