Should I get whitening if I have sensitive teeth?

If you're concerned about tooth sensitivity, you may decide to choose a product that is specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Mount Lawley Dental uses Philips ZOOM! Nite White – which is especially formulated for those with sensitive teeth.

What is endodontic treatment?

Endodontic treatment involves treating teeth with a diseased dental pulp, such as a dental abscess. The infected soft tissue is removed from inside the tooth and replaced with a root canal filling that seals the tooth from future infection.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last (third) molars to erupt in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. There are usually four wisdom teeth, but not everyone gets them. As these teeth are less necessary, dentists may recommend wisdom tooth removal if a tooth becomes impacted or causes problems such as teeth crowding.

How much do veneers cost?

The cost of veneers depends on their size, the number of veneers you have and what material they're made from. Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers. At Mount Lawley Dental, veneers start from $300 per tooth for composite resin and from $1400 per tooth for porcelain.

Why is oral hygiene important?

Good oral hygiene is about maintaining healthy teeth and gums in order to prevent dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. These dental problems when left untreated can erode teeth and cause gums to pull away, weakening the tooth structure and resulting in tooth loss. Tooth loss affects the way you eat and speak and can create teeth alignment issues, jawbone deterioration and a sagging facial appearance.

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is a proactive approach to dental care. The preventive approach aims to prevent common dental problems before they have a chance to develop and avoiding the need for more invasive and expensive procedures to correct them.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that can build up on teeth and form plaque. When bacteria reaches the gum, it can cause an infection that the body fights with inflammation, leading to swelling and tenderness of the gums.

How do I keep my mouthguard clean?

Clean your mouthguard under room temperature water and a cleaning solution to keep it in good condition. Avoid using hot water to rinse your mouthguard as it will warp it out of shape. By making sure you clean your mouthguard after every use, you’ll keep it free from staining and plaque build-up that can ruin the mouthguard and require you to replace it sooner than necessary.

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Bruxism

General Dentistry

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Bruxism

Posted on: 01 December, 2021

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, dentists have reported an increase in the number of patients presenting with tooth damage as a result of bruxism. Also known simply as teeth grinding, bruxism is an involuntary action that can happen while you sleep or during the day.

3 minute read

Bruxism can have many causes including stress and is fairly common. While many people grind or clench their teeth occasionally, around 5% of Australians regularly and forcefully grind their teeth.

Bruxism isn't always a serious problem and can often go away on its own, but it can often also lead to dental problems, split teeth, aches and pains, or other conditions such as TMJ disorder. It may also be a sign of an underlying problem.

Read this short guide to find out more about what causes bruxism, how to recognise the signs and your options for bruxism treatment.

How do I know if I have bruxism?

Bruxism may not be noticed if it happens during sleep, unless someone else sees or hears it. However, there are other possible symptoms that can be warning signs of bruxism or another problem. These include:

Involuntarily grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw when you're angry, anxious or concentrating
Headache, earache or facial pain after waking up
Pain or stiffness in the jaw or jaw joints (TMJ)
Teeth feel painful or sensitive to temperature
Teeth are worn, damaged or feel loose
Bites on the tongue or inside of the cheeks

What causes teeth grinding?

There is no single cause for bruxism. Teeth grinding and clenching may be related to a physical issue with the teeth or jaws, an emotional issue or medical reasons. Your risk factor for bruxism will be higher if:

you often feel angry, anxious or stressed
you smoke or consume alcohol or caffeine
you have missing teeth or an uneven or misaligned bite
you have a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnoea
you have certain medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, dementia, epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) or Parkinson's disease
you take certain drugs or medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics or illegal drugs such as cocaine
you have a family history of bruxism

Bruxism is more common in children than adults, particularly when the primary or secondary teeth are coming through or if they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Talk to a children's dentist if you are worried about your child's symptoms.

What are the dangers of bruxism?

Mild bruxism may not cause problems, but frequent and forceful grinding that puts the teeth and jaws under pressure may cause permanent damage or other problems that need treatment. Complications of bruxism can include:

Chipped or cracked teeth
Worn or flattened teeth
Broken fillings, crowns or other dental restorations
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
Tooth loss

A damaged or lost tooth or restoration is considered a dental emergency, as it may lead to further injuries or can leave the tooth exposed to infection without prompt treatment.

If you grind or clench your teeth, you also may not be a candidate for dental veneers or other cosmetic dentistry treatments until the condition can be managed or treated.

How is bruxism treated?

If you think you or your child might have bruxism, make an appointment with your dentist. They will ask about your symptoms and examine your teeth for signs of wear and damage.

They will then discuss appropriate treatments to address the cause and symptoms of bruxism, based on your individual situation. They may also recommend treatments for other problems related to bruxism, such as TMJ disorders or damaged teeth.

Depending on the cause of bruxism, treatment options may include:

Therapeutic treatments

If bruxism is stress-related, your dentist may be able to recommend relaxation techniques or they may refer you to a licensed and qualified health professional.

Therapies recommended for bruxism may include:

biofeedback
cognitive behaviour therapy
hypnotherapy
meditation

Bite splint

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, your dentist may provide a custom-fitted bite splint or night guard to wear over your teeth during sleep. This is similar to a mouthguard and prevents your teeth from coming into contact.

A bite splint can help to relieve bruxism symptoms and protect your teeth from damage, but it may not cure the condition altogether.

Straightening teeth

If your teeth or jaws don't come together normally, your dentist may discuss options for teeth straightening to treat bruxism and other complications of a misaligned bite.

Orthodontic treatments include metal or ceramic braces and removable aligners. Teeth straightening is a long term treatment that may take up to several years, depending on how much straightening is needed.

Restoring teeth

If the biting surface of your teeth is uneven because some of the teeth are worn, damaged or misshapen, these may be restored using strong fillings or dental crowns.

Your dentist may also recommend fitting crowns over teeth that have been weakened by grinding to protect them from further damage.

Replacing teeth

If you have any missing teeth, your dentist can discuss replacements such as dental implants or dentures, based on your preferences and your price range.

Teeth that have been too structurally damaged by teeth grinding may also benefit from being extracted and replaced. However, this is always a last resort for a dentist.

Other treatments

If bruxism may be a side effect of medication, a health condition or a sleep-related disorder, treating this underlying problem may also help to treat bruxism symptoms. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to medications.

Some health professionals may recommend muscle relaxant medication or injections to help with bruxism symptoms, but there is currently limited evidence of their effectiveness.

How can I prevent bruxism?

You can lower your risk of developing bruxism or of the condition worsening by addressing the manageable risk factors. This could involve:

improving your sleep routine
getting plenty of exercise
avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening
trying to avoid situations that cause stress and anxiety
keeping up with your regular dental check-ups so your dentist can monitor your progress

Teeth grinding treatment in Mount Lawley and North Perth

If you or someone in your family grind your teeth, book a consultation with our dentists at Mount Lawley Dental. We will diagnose the problem and tailor a treatment plan to address the cause and prevent further discomfort and damage.

Call our team on (08) 9227 8777 or make an online booking. Our Mount Lawley dentists also see patients from Highgate, North Perth and Inglewood.

Book online