03
Jan
How Do I Stop Clenching My Teeth (invisalign)?
Filed Under (Invisalign) by admin on 03-01-2010
Tagged Under : Clenching, Invisalign, Stop, Teeth
I have been wearing Invisalign “braces” for several months now. Now that I’m on my last set of trays, whenever I take my trays out, I always seem to be clenching my teeth. I think I’m doing it because my teeth aren’t used to being in a particular position.
Is there any way I can prevent the clenching? I fear that I might be damaging my front teeth by doing so, and I’d really like to stop.
You can damage your teeth from clenching.
You are probably doing that because you feel the need to hold your braces in place. It’s learned behavior and you’ll have to unlearn.
Make a conscientious effort to relax your grip. I have to do that when I’m driving because I tense up.
If you are clenching in your sleep, you can grind your teeth down. See if you can get a mouth guard for nighttime.
As for during the day, try a small visual reminder. Something like a colored band around your wrist or finger/thumb or mark a colored “x” on a piece of paper and place where you will constantly see it, like at your desk or something. When you look at this reminder, you’ll think “stop clenching”. Sounds goofy but it works. At night, a splint is your best bet but it’s expensive. I would try quitting on my own for a week or two first.