West Maitland Dentistry Blog

Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, is a disorder that occurs commonly when people are sleeping.  Although people often clench or grind their teeth occasionally, done for a prolonged time it can lead to severe issues.  We’re answering the most common questions that patient have about clenching and grinding.

Why Do I Grind or Clench My Teeth?

Common reasons are:

• Stress or anxiety
• Teeth that are improper aligned, also known as malocclusion
• Sleep apnea

What are some signs that I’m Grinding or Clenching my Teeth?

• Wear or chips on teeth
• Jaw pain
• Muscle pain
• Feeling popping when you open or close your mouth
• Hearing a clicking noise when you open or close your mouth
• Your mandible (lower jaw) moving to the right or left when opening or closing

Can I do permanent damage if left untreated?

Yes! If left untreated expect teeth to start wearing down. After the protective, hard enamel is worn down, the bottom layer of the tooth, the dentin is exposed. This is the soft and yellow looking layer. As well as being not aesthetically pleasing, even worse it can lead to sensitivity and more cavities.

Not only can you get permanent damage to your teeth but permanent damage to your jaw joint, the TMJ, is possible. It is important to let your dentist know if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms so that we can discuss the appropriate treatment to help prevent any long term damage!

New year, new you?  Whether it’s getting new dental insurance, fulfilling New Year’s resolutions or deciding to focus on the health of your mouth, January is a common month that we see new patients.  A lot of times these new patients have put off seeing the dentist.  What often keeps them from the chair is anxiety.  We use the term dental anxiety when it comes to patients who are anxious or afraid of the dental office.  But did you know that this is a common and manageable anxiety? So if this sounds like you, keep reading for recommendations to help your next dental appointment go smooth and stress free!

Find the right dentist for you. 

A dentist-patient relationship is special and not all dentists might be the right fit for you.  Do some research and find out what other patients interactions are with that dentist.  You can do this through their website, reviews or word of mouth.  Also, it helps to find out if the dentist has experience working on anxious patients.

Communication.

Let your dentist and staff know about your anxiety and ask questions.  Letting your dentist know can help them determine how to make you the most comfortable at your appointment.  Also remember you are in control of the appointment. So if you are feeling overwhelmed and need a break, don’t be afraid to let them know!

Drown out the noise. 

During treatments we encourage people to be relaxed and listening to your own music can help achieve this.  Especially now a days with noise cancelling headphones it makes it possible that you can completely tune out the noise.  Also, if you forget your headphones see if your dentist has any earplugs as often times we do.

Let go of any embarrassment. 

If being embarrassed of your mouth is the cause of your anxiety- please don’t be embarrassed!  As healthcare providers, not only are we used to seeing a wide range of conditions in the mouth, we also have a no judgement policy.  Not only that, we are excited to help someone get out of pain, get a healthy mouth or achieve a smile that is a source of pride.

Get comfortable. 

Some offices, such as ours, provide neck pillows and heavy blankets to help reduce the stress of being in the chair.  Our office even carries stress balls for you to hold onto to help alleviate tensions.  Most dental offices don’t mind if you bring one of your own in as well.

Zen time. 

Try controlled breathing or mediation.  Controlled breathing and meditation can calm and lower anxieties.  At your next visit try some of these out.

Look into sedation. 

If all else fails there is anti-anxiety medication, laughing gas, conscious or general sedation, to help your experience be a positive one.  Be sure to discuss with your dentist the risks and benefits of these as well as any side effects to expect.

Although it may seem daunting to make that appointment if you have dental anxiety, letting problems in your mouth go can lead to serious consequences.  Utilizing these tips can help crease a stress free and relaxing trip to the dentist.

You’re eating lunch and all of a sudden you feel something hard only to spit out your crown.  This is unfortunately a common scenario we see.  Most crowns at some point are redone.  Knowing what to do and not to do with a lost crown can help you not only save time and money but possibly your tooth.

Why do crowns come off?

There are many different reasons why crowns come off.  One is chewing something sticky that lifts the crown off.  Another cause is the dissolving of the cement over time which loosens the crown.  Finally the most common reason is a cavity under the crown.  The cavity softens the tooth the crown is bonded on to leading to nothing for the crown to hold on to.

Will I be in pain?

It depends.  If the tooth is root canal treated there should be minimal pain.  However, if the tooth has not had a root canal most likely there will be some sensitivity until the exposed tooth structure is covered. Avoid foods with extreme temperatures, sugary and acidic foods to minimize the sensitivity.

Can my crown be reused?

Sometimes yes.  In cases where the cement has worn thin often times the same crown can be placed back onto the tooth.  When the reason is because of a cavity the cavity has to be removed and the shape of the tooth changes.  This leads to the crown being unable to fit back onto the tooth snuggly and a new crown has to be made.

What if I don’t get the crown put back on?

The layer of the tooth that is exposed is called the dentin.  This is a soft layer and is prone to cavities,so there is a risk one might start forming. Also the lost crown acts as a space holder. When it is missing there is nothing keeping the adjacent teeth from tipping into the now open space.  This may make it difficult to insert the crown again or to create a new one.  Finally without a crown there it can become an area for food to trap.  Often times these teeth get cavities and this which untreated leads to eventually the tooth having to be removed.

Should I place the crown back on?

No. Placing your crown back on without the proper adhesive can lead to the crown dislodging again.  This can become a choking hazard and can be a risk for swallowing or worse aspiration.

So what should I do?

Call you dentist and make an appointment.  Although most of the time this is not considered an emergency it is important to get the crown back on as soon as possible.  Make sure you keep the crown in a clean, safe place and don’t forget to bring it with you to your appointment so that you dentist can determine whether it can be used again or not.