Teeth Grinding

Many people grind their teeth at some point in their lives, but grinding too much can quickly turn into a problem that your Bellevue dentist may have to help with. The medical term for tooth-grinding is “bruxism”, and it can wear down your teeth, cause headaches, hurt your jaw or even give you TMJ disorders.

How do I know if I grind my teeth?

One of the problems with bruxism is that many people don’t know that they have it. This could be because they only grind while sleeping, but they can also grind throughout the day without being aware of the action. It therefore pays to be on the lookout for these warning signs: if your jaw is frequently sore for no apparent reason, or if a friend or family member notices you grinding periodically, you may need to bring this to your dentist’s attention.

Losing a Dental Filling

We’ve come a long way with fillings so that it should be rare for you to have one fall out. However, fillings are not indestructible. There may come a time when a filling pops out of your tooth, possibly due to sharp trauma, possibly while you are chewing a sticky substance, and possibly for no apparent reason at all. In such an event, it is important that you visit our Bellevue dentist as soon as possible so that we can replace your filling and protect the vulnerable dentin of your tooth.

Some people swallow their fillings when they fall out. This is generally nothing to worry about. Modern dental fillings are made from non-toxic materials which will pass harmlessly through your system.

After getting your filling replaced, your dentist may want to explore the reasons why you lost a filling in the first place. There may be some decay around your filling that compromised its integrity. Talk to our dentists at Overlake Dental to learn more.

When you have a crown installed, you may occasionally experience a problem with your new fixture. Sometimes this is the result of tooth decay, sometimes trauma to the mouth has compromised the cement holding the crown to your natural tooth structure, and sometimes it may simply point to a poorly-installed crown. Whatever the cause may be, any problems with your crown should be brought to your dentist in short order to avoid more extensive damage.

Common Crown Problems

One of the most common problems with a crown is mild pain and sensitivity. Some people can solve this problem by using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. However, if you feel pain every time you bite down, this may point to a crown that has been set too high on your tooth. Your dentist should be able to fix this for you.

If a crown comes loose or falls off, you should bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. The vulnerable part of your tooth is exposed and vulnerable to devastating decay. Call Overlake Dental in Bellevue for more information.

Is teeth-grinding causing pain or discomfort?

Try following these simple tips to reduce your grinding and spare yourself the grief of cracked or broken teeth and TMJ disorders:

• A lot of grinding is caused by stress. Figure out the cause of your stress, and find a way to help yourself relax.
• Pain in the teeth or jaw area can cause you to grind. Don’t wait to go to the dentist if you’re feeling pain.
• Limit your intake of caffeine.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• If you’re in the habit of chewing items that are not food, like pens, bottle caps, or even gum, you’re training your jaw muscles to clench. This can contribute to grinding.
• If you grind during the day, you can force your jaw muscles to relax by placing the tip of your tongue between your teeth.
• If you grind while you sleep, try relaxing your jaw muscles before going to bed. You can do this by pressing a warm washcloth against your cheek for a few minutes.

Contact Bellevue Overlake Dental

If these tips don’t help or you’re more concerns with grinding your teeth, please contact Overlake Dental.

Many patients come to our Overlake Dental with concerns about sensitive teeth. For somebody concerned about his or her oral health, it can be easy to assume that a bit of sensitivity is indicative of a looming dental problem. We have good and bad news for these people, and they’re both the same thing: tooth sensitivity can just as easily be caused by good dental care as by poor dental care.

Possible Causes of Teeth Sensitivity

Indeed, tooth decay and receding gums are both negative factors that can cause your teeth to be sensitive. On the other hand, you can also get sensitivity from tooth whiteners, whitening toothpastes, antiseptic mouthwashes, and other agents of dental care. You can even expect a bit of short-term sensitivity after a routine visit to your dentist. It’s not necessarily a sign of anything wrong.

Additionally, the effect should go away shortly after you stop using the product causing your sensitivity, though the benefits it give you may outweigh the drawbacks.

If you want to beat your tooth sensitivity without sacrificing good oral hygiene, talk to your dentist. There may be some less harsh options available to keep your teeth clean.