Getting a cavity filled is never fun. Many of us live in absolute dread of the dentist telling us it’s time to take out the drill. What’s worse, teeth can feel sensitive for a while after getting a cavity filled, and fillings can wear down over time, requiring more work in the future.
If you want your filling to last as long as possible and you want to keep sensitivity to a minimum, it is important that you address any teeth grinding habit you may have. You will also find that addressing teeth grinding can reduce the number of fillings you need over time.
Teeth grinding can be brought on by stress or irritation.
If find yourself grinding your teeth after getting a filling, it’s very likely that you were grinding your teeth before as well, but it’s not impossible to develop the habit as a reaction to the sensation created by the filling. Just the knowledge that you have a new filling in your mouth can excite a certain amount of stress that is focused on your teeth and mouth.
Stress is the largest contributor to teeth grinding. Though some teeth grinding happens because of bite or tooth misalignment, most teeth grinding happens as a subconscious expression of physical or psychological stress. So, it makes sense that, when you have had a cavity filled, you might handle the related stress by grinding your teeth.
You might even find yourself doing this during the daytime while working, thinking, or concentrating. If you do, make note of it and take time to relax the muscles of you face and jaw. Massage the jaw muscles at the side of your face, open and shut your mouth to stretch them, and check in to see where else you may be carrying tension.
Most likely, you are grinding your teeth during the night (this is when most people grind their teeth). So, it can be harder to spot the habit. But, if you experience prolonged sensitivity in the area of your filling or you develop any sores inside your mouth from where you may have bitten the inside of your cheek, you might be grinding your teeth.
Find out whether you are grinding your teeth at night.
If you sleep with a partner or share a room, you can ask the other person to listen for the sound of grinding when you have fallen asleep. It will often happen in the first stages of sleep, just after you have drifted off. So, it can be quick and easy to spot. However, some people grind their teeth while dreaming, which occurs later in the sleep cycle.
If you don’t have someone to ask for help, talk to your dentist. He or she should be able to advise you as well as look for signs of wear and tear on your teeth, which will be present if you have been grinding your teeth for a while.
Grinding your teeth can contribute to cavities.
If you’ve just had a cavity filled, you might find out that grinding has been a problem for a while. Grinding your teeth wears down your enamel, the protective layer on the outermost part of your teeth.
Enamel is extremely hardy, but it will wear down over time. And, as it gets thinner and the dentin underneath gets closer to the surface, your teeth will become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and more prone to cavities.
You can also chip and crack teeth more easily when you wear down the enamel. So, it is crucial to pay attention to signs that you are grinding your teeth and to take action if you think that you might be.
Get a night guard to protect your teeth.
The first step your dentist will recommend is to get a night guard that will cover your teeth while you sleep. It will protect them against friction and pressure.
You will get the best fit and comfort if you choose a custom guard that is molded to the shape of your teeth. Custom night guards will also allow you to choose from a range of density options. You might start with one that’s easier to get used to, usually made of softer plastic, and work up to a more durable hard plastic night guard over time.
Try to identify the cause of your grinding.
See if you suffer from any alignment issues or TMJ disorders that might be causing you to grind your teeth. If not, identify the stressful aspects of your life and ways you can try to address them. Reducing stress will likely also reduce the frequency and intensity of your teeth grinding. If you cannot eliminate certain stressors from your life, you can still find ways to introduce relaxation techniques to wind down at the end of each day.
If you think your teeth grinding is caused by a recent filling. Start using a night guard to make sure you protect the filling and talk to your dentist about further recommendations. You can also visit TeethNightGuard for further information.
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