Bruxism and cyst/ulcer

marlasinger

Can bruxism cause dental cysts/ulcers?

I've been grinding my teeth very badly for a period of a few months, and have had to wear a bite guard at night. I've had a lump above my back molar, which is sensitive but not painful for the last 3 months or so. The last time I went to the dentist (3 months ago), she said it was most likely caused by my grinding as it was above the tooth that bore the worst of the impact.

She suggested removing the tooth, but I wanted to wait. She'd also said, the risk is that I will start putting pressure of the tooth next to it (if the other one is extracted). I don't think I'm grinding my teeth anymore (no more sore jaw and tender teeth after waking), but this lump won't fully disappear. It will shrink for a couple of days, but then 10 minutes after eating a meal it will suddenly flare up again.

No doubt I will be going back to the dentist again, but I don't want her to remove the tooth as I have a real phobia around extractions. It's not causing me any pain, but I'm starting to get worried about it.

Any suggestions what this could be? I've tried Corsodyl, salt water rinses, TCP, Bonjela... all to no avail. What other options will the dentist be able to do offer - creams, lancing it, antibiotics?

brook2jack

Bruxing can cause teeth to die off and abscesses to start. That may be why your dentist suggesting having the tooth out.

As to any alternatives to extraction only a dentist who can see you and your x Rays can advise .

However no antibiotic, cream, mouthwash is a long or even medium term fix for this tooth . If you are really worried about having a tooth out the dentist may be able to refer you for sedation , but waiting lists tend to be long.

What you dont want is to wait until you have pain from the tooth and then have to make a decision in a hurry in an emergency. Go back now whilst you still have the luxury of time to make a decision.

marlasinger

Thanks for the reply.

A quick follow up question - if the abscess has remained there for so long, does that mean the tooth is dying off already?

Toothsmith

The tooth would be dead, or mostly dead for the abscess to form in the first place

marlasinger

I have now made an appointment for early next week to get this cyst/abscess/lump looked at.


I will report back once I have more details.

marlasinger

So, I have been to the dentist and she has told me it is an infection in the sinus area of the tooth (not the sinus/nasal cavity). She said that as it is between the 6th and 7th molar she can't say with certainly which tooth is causing it. She doesn't want to extract the 7th molar, because if that doesn't solve the problem then it means she will have to root treat the 6th molar and that would be excessive treatment, given that there is no pain.

I asked if antibiotics would clear it up and she suggested that it is best to treat it topically - so salt water rinses and diluted Listerine rinses.

She took an x-ray and the infection is contained and draining away, so my body is basically 'taking care of it' via it's natural resistance.

She said that I am still grinding my teeth. She said I may not feel it, however my cheeks don't lie. Does anyone know what this means - abrasion on my cheek area (which I can't feel)?

Toothsmith

You can see quite distinctive marks on the soft tissues around the mouth if someone is grinding their teeth.

I think she's playing for time a bit, as it must be a bit unclear which tooth is actually causing the problem, so she's waiting until something a bit more definitive happens to one tooth or the other, as she says - to treat both when it's most likely only one is to blame would be over treating.

So keep an eye on things yourself, and don't be afraid to get straight back if something seems to change for the worse.