Month: July 2026

Take a moment and think about which side of your mouth you tend to chew with. Most people have a favorite side without ever realising it, until a sore tooth, a stiff jaw, or a dentist pointing it out during a checkup brings it to their attention.

Favouring one side while chewing is extremely common, and it is not usually caused by any single obvious reason. A slightly sore tooth, a filling that feels different, or simply a habit picked up years ago can all lead to a one-sided pattern that sticks around long after the original cause is gone.

How the Habit Forms

Chewing is not something most people think about consciously, which makes it easy for a temporary preference to turn into a permanent habit. Once one side becomes the default, the muscles on that side get stronger and more coordinated with repeated use, while the other side gradually does less work.

Over time, the muscles on your dominant chewing side can become noticeably stronger and more tense than those on the other side. This imbalance is not always something you can feel directly, but it can show up as one side of your jaw feeling fuller or firmer than the other when you press on it gently.

How One-Sided Chewing Affects Your Mouth

The joint connecting your jaw to your skull relies on balanced input from both sides to move smoothly. When one side is doing significantly more work, that joint can develop clicking, popping, or soreness, as the joint and surrounding muscles compensate for the imbalance.

Uneven chewing also means uneven wear. The teeth on your dominant side often show more flattening or small chips over time, while the other side stays relatively untouched. A dentist can sometimes spot a one-sided chewing habit just by looking at the wear pattern across your teeth.

Bringing Balance Back

Becoming aware of which side you chew on is a good first step. If the habit isn’t related to pain or a dental problem, consciously alternating sides while chewing may help encourage a more balanced pattern over time.

If the habit developed because of a sore tooth or an uneven bite, addressing that underlying issue is often the key to actually breaking the cycle rather than just working around it. If you have noticed soreness on one side of your jaw, or if a dentist has mentioned uneven wear on your teeth, Vision Dental can help figure out what is driving the pattern and how to bring things back into balance.

Dental Health Week runs from 3 to 9 August, and this year’s theme from the Australian Dental Association is Back to the Dentist. This year’s theme, focuses on three areas: mouthguards, cosmetic dentistry and wisdom teeth. Here’s what’s worth knowing about each, no matter your age.

1. Mouthguards and Sports Drinks

A well-fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent a serious dental injury during contact sport, yet it is one of the pieces of gear people are most likely to skip. A custom mouthguard from your dentist fits more securely and protects better than an off-the-shelf version. It is also worth being mindful of sports drinks on the sideline. Many are acidic and high in sugar, which can wear away enamel over time, so water is still the safer everyday choice.

2. The Truth About Cosmetic Dentistry

Social media has made cosmetic dentistry feel more accessible, but it has also fuelled a rise in DIY approaches, from at-home teeth filing to unregulated whitening kits. These trends can cause lasting damage to enamel and gum tissue that is difficult to reverse. If you are considering a cosmetic change to your smile, a conversation with your dentist is the safest place to start, since they can recommend an approach tailored to your teeth.

3. Don’t Ignore Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth do not always cause obvious problems, which is part of why they are easy to overlook. It helps to recognise a few signs that are worth mentioning at your next visit:

• Persistent pain or tenderness at the back of the jaw
• Ongoing bad breath that does not improve with brushing
• Stiffness or difficulty opening your jaw fully
• Swelling in or around the gums near the back teeth

None of these signs means something serious is definitely wrong, but they are worth having checked rather than waiting for the discomfort to pass on its own.

A Timely Reminder for Everyone

Whether it has been a while since your last mouthguard fitting, you are weighing up a cosmetic question, or you have noticed something going on with your wisdom teeth, Dental Health Week is a good reminder to schedule a check-up.

The team at Vision Dental is always happy to talk through these with you.