What is Bruxism ?
Bruxism is the word dentists generally use to refer to all forms of clenching and grinding of teeth. Bruxism usually occurs subconsciously, and can occur while a person is awake or asleep. Bruxism is much more common for people under stress than for people not under stress. For people who's bruxism primarily takes the form of grinding, tooth wear will often be visible to dentists. People who's bruxism primarily takes the form of clenching may not have visible symptoms, but may experience pain in the form of sore or sensitive teeth, jaw ache, facial muscle or nerve pain, migraine headaches, dizziness, neck pain, and back pain. Bruxism during sleep often keeps people from getting enough REM sleep (the time of sleep when muscles rejuvenate), and resulting symptoms can include tiredness and susceptibility to muscle cramps and spasms.

Is GrindAlert safe to use?
Absolutely safe.  The gentle SleepTone biofeedback helps guide you to eliminate subconscious clenching. The GrindAlert biofeedback headband is powered by two watch batteries and is electromagnetically shielded to avoid any negative effect on your body's energy field.

Will it disrupt my sleep?
The SleepTone biofeedback only happens briefly when you start clenching, and stops as soon as you stop.  Stopping the grinding activity lets you get into REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, and once you are in REM sleep all clenching and grinding stops. For these reasons, many users report better sleep with the GrindAlert biofeedback headband than without!

Will my partner be disturbed by the sound?
Many users report that even in the rare instances when their partner hears sound from the GrindAlert headband, it is far less disturbing than the sound of grinding teeth they want to stop hearing!  GrindAlert's SleepTone biofeedback is designed to be as quiet and confidential as possible, and you can adjust the volume.  Users have not reported complaints from their partners.

How long should I wear GrindAlert before seeing an improvement?
Some people respond very quickly, while others may see a more gradual improvement over time.  You will be able to judge your personal response to the GrindAlert biofeedback headband in less than 30 days. Each morning you can check the digital display on the GrindAlert biofeedback headband and see how many times you clenched your teeth, and for how long.  This allows you to track your improvement.

Can I still use a mouth guard?
If you want to continue to use a mouth guard to protect your teeth, particularly when you first start using your GrindAlert headband, you may do so. Many users use the GrindAlert biofeedback headband instead of a mouth guard, but there is no problem using the two together.

Do I have to wear the headband every night?
Some users report that using the GrindAlert biofeedback headband allows them to train themselves out of grinding for periods of time. Clenching and grinding is often tension related. We recommend that users wear the GrindAlert biofeedback headband each night for a while.  However, once you've reduced your grinding you may choose to use GrindAlert less frequently.

Can I wear GrindAlert during the day?
Yes.  Many people also clench or grind unconsciously (for example, when they are driving or at work), so there can also be a benefit to wearing it at those times as well.

How It Works

How does it work?
The GrindAlert biofeedback headband senses tiny electrical signals that your muscles generate when you clench or grind. Even though these muscle signals are only about one millionth of the voltage of a flashlight battery, the GrindAlert biofeedback headband can sense these signals reliably.

Is there any kind of clenching or grinding that GrindAlert does not sense?
If you are one of a small percentage of clenchers and grinders who click only their front teeth together when clenching or grinding, the GrindAlert headband may not properly sense your grinding.   As long as your clenching or grinding involves contact between your back teeth, GrindAlert can sense this activity.

I have a very small / very large head.  Will it fit me?
The GrindAlert headband is designed to work on the full range of adult head sizes, but may not fit younger children well.

How much does it weigh?
The headband with electronic module and batteries weighs only 1.8 oz.!

Can I use GrindAlert on my child?
The GrindAlert biofeedback headband is designed to fit adults, but children's heads may be too small for proper alignment of the sensor pads. We recommend that you consult your dentist if you want to use the GrindAlert biofeedback headband on a child.

Clinical

Is a prescription required?
No.  GrindAlert is a device intended for relaxation and muscle reeducation.  No other use or indication is claimed or intended.  It is not considered a medical device.

Has there been a clinical trial?
Dr. Gordon Christensen, a renowned dentist, reviews dental products and publishes a newsletter of his findings.  In his Clinical Research Associates Newsletter, Volume 25, Issue 10, October 2001, it was found that the majority of patients that tested GrindAlert saw a reduction of clenching and grinding activity.

In an extensive article in the Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society in January, 2003, Dr. Herbert Bader, a Lecturer at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, reported: "Anecdotal case reports from dispensing practitioners indicate that adding GrindAlert to treatment plans has proven extremely successful."

What other clinical data do you have on this?
We use a methodology that has been studied extensively by Dr. Alan Glaros of the University of Missouri Kansas City and shown to be effective.  You can look up some of his work on the web.

The continued study of bruxism and TMJ has been hampered by the cost of EMG measurement equipment and inconvenience of sleep labs.  We are hopeful that GrindAlert will eventually contribute to a better understanding of these ailments, and we encourage our customers to keep daily data that may be useful some day.

Is this covered by health insurance?
BruxCare is unaware of a category for GrindAlert within any healthcare plan coverage.  There is a possibility that your plan may cover it as a muscle sensing and/or retraining device.
 

Batteries

Does GrindAlert come with batteries?
Yes, GrindAlert comes with two sets of CR2032 lithium 3V coin cell batteries.

Where can I buy replacement batteries?
Typically any drug store or local Radio Shack carries these common batteries.  Radio Shack sells CR2032 batteries for about $5 each. We think this price is way too high, so we sell replacements batteries for $1 each.

How long do the batteries last?
Batteries last for roughly 320 hours of activity, or 40 nights of 8 full hours of sleep.
 

Headband

What is the headband made of?
The fabric part of the headband is cotton terrycloth on the outside, and a polyester blend on the inside.

What are sensor pads made of?
The sensor pads are made of hypoallergenic silicone rubber with suspended carbon.

Will these hurt my skin or cause a rash?
No.  These materials were specifically selected because they do not react with the skin.

Are there any allergy problems?
The center contact is stainless steel.  For the vast majority of people, stainless steel is considered hypoallergenic. In rare cases, some people can have an allergic reaction to stainless steel after they have had piercings on their body. No GrindAlert customers have yet reported any allergic reaction.

Guarantee

When do the 30 days of the return policy start?
The 30 day return policy begins once you receive your order.

How do I return it for my money back?
Call for a Return Authorization (RMA) number and send the GrindAlert (at your expense) to:

BruxCare Returns
32A Fairmont St.
Arlington, MA 02474

Please include in your return package a slip of paper with your e-mail address and the RMA number you received written on it.

When the unit is received, you will be notified by email, and you will either be sent a check, or your credit card or PayPal account will be credited for the cost of the GrindAlert.

Do I get credit for the handling fee if I return?
No.  Only the cost of the GrindAlert is credited.

How long is your warranty?
GrindAlert is warranted to be free from manufacturing defects for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase.

How do I return a defective unit?
Call BruxCare and ask for a replacement authorization (RMA number).  We will send you an electronic module replacement and a pre-paid return envelope to send back your defective module.  If you do not return the defective module within 30 days of receiving the replacement, we will be obligated to bill you for the part.

How long would it take to get a replacement?
Inside the USA, replacement usually takes less than a week, including shipping time. Outside the USA, shipping times and delays due to customs make delivery time hard to predict.