how hard are you supposed to be clenching your teeth when

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#1 Post by **59fifty** » Wed May 26, 2010 5:16 pm

relaxed

lets say my mouth is closed and my teeth are all touching, at this point how much pressure is normal?

i am noticing my molars looking cracked at the top and i know i clench because my ortho told me to clench as hard as i can in the beginning of my braces treatment to close a gap, i dont know if i clench or grind at night but htere is obvious changes to my molar tops

however many months later i am still clenching and notice some enamal looking smaller and jaggedy like sharp, i guess its stress or something cuz during finals week i was clenching alot

im wearing retainers and the part where the retainer clips onto my molar seems to also be doing dmg..

when i put my tongue between my teeth and let my bite go as if my tongue was not there, i bite pretty hard, enoiugh to dmg my tongue if i dont stop myself
how do i know if my normal bite is too strong?

#2 Post by **catfish** » Wed May 26, 2010 9:32 pm

Hmm... I was told something very different. I was told that clenching is bad and to avoid doing it. I was also told that my teeth shouldn't touch at rest, and I should keep them slightly apart. This advice came from my periodontist, so maybe it's specific to periodontal patients? Still, I've always heard that clenching was a bad thing to do.

#3 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Thu May 27, 2010 5:53 am

You shouldn't be applying any pressure to clenching.

#4 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu May 27, 2010 7:30 am

I'm not sure that I am normal, but I don't really apply much if any pressure at all to my teeth when my mouth is relaxed. I think you should see your regular dentist and have him or her check out the wear on your molars.

#5 Post by **hal2me** » Thu May 27, 2010 11:54 am

It sounds like you are adjusting to the braces not being there. When I first got my braces, I clencedh a great deall. Now, not so much because I am aware that I am doing it.

Like you, all of the sudden I realize that I am clenching. My ortho told me that it is normal because it is our natural reaction to the changing pressure on our teeth.

If you find this worrisome, call your ortho or dentist. They will put your mind at ease!

Best of luck to you!

#6 Post by **59fifty** » Sun May 30, 2010 8:39 pm

ive done some googling and found out it is NORMAL to have ur mouth 1-3 mm open when ur mouth is relaxed

mine is always clenched, i do have tmj though

now im starting to wonder how much dmg ive done to myself from clenching all day and all night

im 6 months in retainers and my teeth are still moveable with my tongue, is this due to clenching? they dont move that much maybe the same or less when i had braces but i feel like 6 months shud of been enough to be stable

im going to practice keeping my jaw relaxed and no clenching, as well as keeping my teeth from touching when im conscious

#7 Post by **jambo532** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:44 pm

I am a clencher. I was told that it shouldn't happen with braces but it still does from time to time.. I do it with out even noticing. My ortho told me to really make a effort to keep teeth from touching.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

#8 Post by **alimommy1** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:53 pm

Maybe you need some type of nightguard, I think I clench sometimes at night but it's harder to do it with a retainer that has rests on it lol.