Dimples on My Golf Ball, Not My Teeth!

I am going to share with you something that few patients know: With the exception of chewing and swallowing, our teeth should not be touching. Our teeth were not designed to be constantly working on each other. However, more and more patients are experiencing the consequences of clenching and grinding. As a result of the incessant clenching or grinding, patients usually have what is often called “golf ball molars” because of the dimple wear patterns (see above).

Additionally, bruxism (name for the condition of grinding teeth) may lead to your jaw feeling stiff, teeth becoming sensitive to cold, and jaws being tired after a night’s rest. Without diagnosis and immediate intervention of this condition, several things can occur:

• Teeth become extremely sensitive to cold liquids and food. 
• Compromise of existing fillings and crowns because these restorations are not strong enough to counter the impressive strength of our muscles and teeth.
• Increase risk of cavities. The more yellow surface of the tooth showing through is dentin. Unfortunately, dentin is not nearly as strong and cavity resistant as our outer enamel.
• Additionally, the teeth become shortened and flat. (see below) 

There are several believed causes of bruxism. Namely, it is attributable to a) stress and/or b) the way teeth fit together. Due to activities occurring in your life, you may have a tendency to grind/clench during the day or night. Or, if your teeth do not properly fit together, the teeth may be compensating for the discrepancy by wearing each other out.

In either event, please consult with your dentist. He/she will be able to assess the potential causes of your bruxism and develop a treatment that would cater to your unique case. Upcoming articles, I will be going more in depth on two possible treatments: night guards and braces (traditional and Invisalign).

While dimples are excellent on golf balls and babies, let’s keep them away from your teeth!

Happy golfing,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Golf Ball Anatomy: Golf balls with dimples are able to achieve “truer” flight than those that are smooth. While most dimples on golf balls are circular, it is believed that hexagonal dimples provide balls more lift.