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My mother’s been grinding her teeth with a fury for almost a year now. She’s bedridden and in late stage Lewy Body Alzheimer’s. We’ve tried Klonopen which hasn’t helped much. The best thing that works for a few minutes at a time is a ritz cracker of all things. A straw is somewhat useful but she sucks in air. Any other suggestions???? She has some good days here and there but the bad ones are ahhhhhh

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Okay, last post from me on this topic, I hope! Google “teeth grinding & vitamin deficiency”. What I read indicated it could be a calcium and/or magnesium deficiency. Anyway, maybe just ask the doc to draw labs. That may end up being the quickest & easiest solution. 😻😻
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lilsta Sep 2019
great suggestion! Thanks
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Do not buy one of the over the counter guards. They don't custom fit and can cause significant problems. I was stupid enough to do it and paid the price. Also yes in her condition would be a choking hazard, no doubt.
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I wouldnt suggest a mouth guard. She will never use it and will probably toss it across the room. I'm thinking it might be a side effect of a medication. I'd check labels and google side effects. Perhaps that can be adjusted or changed?
Ggood luck, that must feel awful for her and for you to watch it happen. Good luck.
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Some drug stores sell teeth guards that you mold by yourself at home.
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AlvaDeer Sep 2019
I have used these and it takes hot water and pretty much a lot of knowhow to get them at all right. I also worry with the end stage Lewy's about choking because the swallow reflex can get pretty weak. But these are great for lots of things, so thanks for mentioning them.
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That’s a good idea but it’s impossible to pry her mouth open to get a mouth guard in at this point. She clenches down like a pit bull!
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Why are you worried?

I am thinking it maybe time to pick your battles.

Yes her teeth may break, but how long does she have and will it matter.
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lilsta Sep 2019
It’s not a matter of being “worried” as much as it is a feeling of concern that she’s in pain based on her facial expressions. This is a battle worth fighting if there’s something I could do to help. If not, then I can accept it and move on 🤷🏻‍♀️ijs
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My neighbor had muscle relaxers for that problem. (Taken only at nite). She took 1/2 pill cuz she's tiny. Otherwise if mom can chew gum without choking, that's what I use when I'm having tension & grinding my teeth. Is mom having lots of anxiety? (If so, cud she have a benzo prescription)? Just sayin'. Best wishes.
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lilsta Sep 2019
Good idea about the muscle relaxers. Thanks I’ll look into that : )
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Hi there!

A friend of mine did that so furiously that it drove her boss nuts & demanded she get it seen to. So, after telling her family doctor about it he said he bet she was seriously in need of vitamin D. Sure enough, after a blood test, that’s was it. She had to take mega doses of vitamin D for a period of time and now is on a daily maintenance dose. Stopped the problem almost immediately! (Oh wait, now that I’ve typed all that I think her problem was chewing ice. Sheesh! Sorry.) We’ll, it’s kinda along the same thing so maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have her doc check her labs.

Good luck!
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Talk with her doctor, it could also be tardive dyskinesia - a side of effect of many psych meds that causes unwanted muscle movements.
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There are devices that a dentist can make for the patient to wear for this medical condition known as bruxism.
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