Understanding Bite Adjustments and Why They Are Needed
Hey everybody, Dr. Mike Hardcastle here again from Village Dental Care. I get a lot of questions, as you've heard me say before, and I'm happy to take this time to answer a common question about bite adjustments. What are they, and when do you need them?
What is a bite adjustment, and when would I need one?
A bite adjustment is usually needed if you've had recent dental work and your bite has changed slightly. When the dentist checks your bite at the end of treatment, you usually can't feel your mouth. Once everything wakes up and your bite becomes more normal, it may differ from when it was checked. The tooth can become sore, sensitive to temperature, or sensitive to biting.
To fix it, we have you come back to the office, and we simply shave down the bite a little bit. We have you chew on some blue paper that leaves a mark on the spot that is hitting high, and we shave that down a little. There is no pain or sensitivity and no need for numbing. It's very simple and very fast.
Why would I need a bite adjustment?
If you've had recent dental work and are experiencing some sensitivity, then perfecting the bite will solve the problem 98-99% of the time. This is what we call a bite adjustment. In some cases, if you grind your teeth and it has nothing to do with recent dental work, grinding your teeth or just normal function can cause the teeth to move around a little.
This can lead to one tooth hitting harder than it used to, making that tooth sore or even slightly loose. We assess the situation and discover if there's too much pressure on that tooth. Then, we adjust the bite, even out the pressure, and make that tooth feel better to stop it from being traumatized.
Can a bite problem be treated naturally without treatment?
The quick answer is no. You need to see your dentist. There are just certain things you can't cure on your own. I'm a big fan of home remedies and solving problems naturally when possible, but it's not always feasible. So, see your dentist and let it be handled the proper way.
What is the proper way to treat a bite problem?
The quick answer is a bite adjustment with your dentist. If you feel you have a bite problem and don't have a dentist, let me know. Give us a call. We'd be happy to assess your situation and get you taken care of. It's a very simple fix. There's no sense in staying sensitive, being in pain, or wiggling a tooth out of your head when we can handle it with a simple, pain-free bite adjustment.
Want to learn more? Call Village Dental Care at (972) 992-5223 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.