Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 7/13/2006

Question
Thank you for your advice!

Having being checked by a dentist, I was told that I have a normal teeth. In fact, the dentist told me I don't even have a problem at all.

I'ld like to know if there is some kind of disease that occurs inside the teeth without showing sign externally. I'm in doubt whether I really need an X-Ray scan to really figure my problem.

Is my problem related to the nerve inside my teeth? Is it because I am particularly sensitive towards the "grinding" in a sudden? Or maybe is it because I lack or overtook certain nutrition?

Maybe I'm too worry. But I don't feel such irritation in the past whenever I grind the teeth. Sometimes when I was eating, I can feel that the teeth is weak, but not painful. It's totally okay if i stop ginding the teeth, I mean nobody actually grinds the teeth.

Thank you.
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Followup To

Question -
I've been facing teeth irritation for the past 2 months. It's like this, when my upper teeth touches my lower teeth, there is some kind of uneasiness. It's strange to say that whenever i am eating, i don't have such kind of uneasiness. This feeling only comes when i am kind of rubbing my upper teeth towards my lower teeth. I can't really tell if the irritation comes from my upper teeth of lower teeth, nor do i know which tooth is it. But i am sure that the irritation is just at my left part. And i am afraid the irritation will spread.

By the way, i must admit that i have a bad habit which i think may link to my teeth irritation. It's that i like to "chew the ICE CUBE". I think it might cause thermal sensitivity to my teeth. However, when i tried to chew the ice cube again ever since my teeth irritation, I don't feel that kind of irritation.

Besides, i used to brush my teeth right after every meal, which i am in doubt that it may be a factor to my teeth irritation. Or maybe i am brushing roughly. I would like to ask, if brushing teeth right after every meal is a correct way of maintaing teeth health.

By the way, i am 20 now. And it's great to see that there were this wisdom tooth erupted at the end. But is it the culprit of my teeth irritation?

In short, my problem is,

- the irritation of rubbing my upper teeth and lower teeth.
- The irritation normally starts when i wanna sleep at night, and i am lying down.


Answer -
You obviously do not like it when your teeth grind against each other...and it is worse when you lie down. Perhaps this postural change makes them hit is a certain way. What you need to do here is simple: make an appointment with your dentist and ask to have a few things evaluated: 1) see if you are showing unusual wear on your front teeth. if they are wearing down funny, this might explain things. 2) evaluate your bite...see if they are hitting too hard on the front teeth. hitting too hard will make them sore. 3) evaluate if you are grinding your teeth while you sleep...ask your household and see if they hear this going on. you might need a mouthguard made to protect your teeth.

I think this information will serve you well when you go in to have your dentist look at things. I hope it helps. Let me know if you have any further questions. Good luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS

Answer
we are limited by what we can see clinically. that is why we take dental xrays of the teeth. this allows us to see inside of the tooth...allows us to see the bone level of the teeth...allows us to view the nerve health of the teeth. if your dentist has looked at you clinically and has taken xrays of the teeth and tells you that all is good, then i have to assume that nothing has shown up. relax then...you are in good shape. if you are doing some heavy duty grinding or bruxing of your teeth at night while you sleep, this can make them sore sometimes. maybe consider a night guard appliance to wear while you are sleeping. this will take away the stress on your teeth and protect them. other than that, i am out of ideas...at least without seeing you in person. good luck

jeff dalin, dds