Night Guards

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, Drs. Haeri and West at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, can help you.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

- Stress and anxiety

- Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

- Aggressive or competitive personality type

- Psychiatric medications

- Smoking tobacco

- Consuming caffeine or alcohol

- Family history of teeth grinding

- Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Do you think you’re experiencing bruxism and want to try a night guard? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

 

 

Sjogren's Syndrome

The Oyster By Family Dentists provide patients in Oyster Bay, NY, with quality dental care. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda can help you with the oral symptoms of certain systemic conditions, like Sjorgren’s syndrome. This is an autoimmune condition that targets that salivary and tear glands. The results are a chronically dry mouth. If you notice this happening to you, schedule an appointment with us today.

 

Sjogren’s syndrome, because it is a systemic autoimmune condition, affects the entire body. Your dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY, have sorted out the symptoms specifically related to your mouth. Here are a few of them:

 

-Scratchy or sore voice

-Constant oral infections or cavities

-Dry lips, mouth, and throat

-Chronic cough

-Difficulties swallowing

-Swollen glands in the neck and face

 

There is no known cause for the development of Sjogren’s syndrome. Your general practitioner or primary care provider can provide you with certain medications. This helps curb your immune system’s response.

 

Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentist can make a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome during a dental appointment. Drs. West or VeyVoda evaluates your salivary glands, along with checking for other secondary conditions like dry mouth or cavities.

 

It’s possible to increase your body’s production of saliva. Artificial Saliva keeps your mouth moist and fresh. Certain over-the-counter products like mouthwash and toothpaste can also increase your salivary flow.

 

If you or a loved one are struggling with dry mouth, and are concerned it could be Sjogren’s syndrome, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists today. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are available at their office in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit their website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.