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.

 

 

 

Cracked Teeth

The prosthodontists at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists provide patients with lots of options for repairing damaged teeth. Sometimes a crack is merely a cosmetic issue, and sometimes it is painful and puts the tooth at risk for infection. Regardless, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment and implement a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing solution.

The smallest cracks are known as “craze lines.” These can be bonded over or covered with veneers, which are also common solutions when a small portion of enamel has chipped off. They are not usually indicative of a major health concern. However, a large crack creates an avenue through which bacteria may enter the dental pulp. In these cases, a patient would require root canal therapy, which would conclude with the crown being sealed. If a crack goes deep into the tooth’s inner layers or is wide, it may necessitate the replacement of the crown. When a vertical crack reaches the root of a tooth, the tooth will have to be extracted and replaced.

If a person frequently develops cracks in their enamel, they may be grinding their jaws in their sleep. These patients can benefit from the use of custom-fitted night guards. Patients are also advised to never use their front teeth for chewing or as tools, and to refrain from chewing ice.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bite Checks

As prosthodontists, the doctors of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists often restore people’s bite function, allowing them to chew and speak without pain. One of the most important parts of the biannual dental examination for every patient is the bite check, during which we’ll assess the mechanical condition of a patient’s jaw and inspect their teeth for wear.

People with obstructive sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint disorder commonly develop bruxism. The word “bruxism” describes nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which causes attrition to enamel and puts it, as well as prosthetic teeth, at risk of cracking. People who grind their teeth are also likely to develop jaw pain and their natural teeth may be pushed out of position.

We’ll ask patients whether they’ve been suffering from headaches or neck pain that could be related to bruxism. Our hygienists will inspect the patient’s teeth for signs of wear associated with bruxism, and the digital x-ray machines in our office will help us to determine whether the jaws’ shape and tooth placement is healthy. If there is a problem, we can recommend the patient use a night guard to relieve bruxism and discuss orthodontic options for tilted teeth. We may also do restorative work on teeth that have been worn down and reshape artificial palates to accommodate changes in the patient’s facial shape.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.

Night Guards

Bruxism, commonly referred to as teeth grinding, is a dental concern our staff at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists encounters often. The solution: Night Guards. An appointment with Dr. Robert G. West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda can help you get started on your dental recovery.

The majority of teeth grinding occurs at night while you’re sleeping. You most likely don’t even realize that you’re doing it. Regardless, your mouth and jaw will still be reaping the consequences during the day. Grinding damages enamel wears down your teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates your gums. Damaging the enamel will expose dentin, making your mouth vulnerable to bacteria. Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects your jaw to your skull. This joint is used for eating and speaking. With prolonged exposure to bruxism, your TMJ can end up with lasting damage. A night guard is the only way to bring your teeth grinding to a grinding halt.

At your appointment, Drs. West or VeyVoda will take an impression of your teeth. This mold is then sent to a dental lab to create your custom fit night guard. Similar to mouthguards worn by athletes, the night guard will create a barrier between your bottom and top teeth. Doing so stops your teeth from grinding together. Night guards are very durable and can last for up to ten years.

There are a few other tips to help you stop grinding. Make a conscious effort to realize when you're grinding and stop. Refrain from chewing on gum or objects like pens. Try to cut back on caffeine and alcohol, which increase your likelihood of grinding.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert G. West or Dr. Denise VeyVoda, visit our website or call us at 516-922-5730.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw (the mandible) to your skull at the temporal bone. Injury to your jaw, the joint, or muscles of your head and neck can lead to severe pain and discomfort. In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can be alleviated with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments such as a mouth guard. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can provide long-term relief for patients who are experiencing Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) symptoms.

Other causes of TMD include: grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the joint, movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint, arthritis in the TMJ joint and stress, which can cause you to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth. Common symptoms include clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open your mouth, a tired feeling in your face, or pain or tenderness in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders.

If you have questions or concerns about TMJ or TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Night Guards

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists see plenty of patients dealing with negative side effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is defined as any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw. This is usually the result of an incorrect bite or crooked teeth, but stress will intensify bruxism.  Some teeth grinders only do so at night and may not even realize it.  If you ever wake up with a stiff or sore jaw, this could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored. 

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up requiring crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists fit patients with custom night guards to protect their teeth from the negative effects of this habit. When a patient needs a custom night guard, the process begins by taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where a final custom product is fabricated.  The durable product then protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw.  At night this protects teeth and can even help improve sleep!

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Basics of Bruxism

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, our doctors can develop an individualized treatment plan to help alleviate this condition.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Patients may benefit from a mouth guard to stabilize the jaw and prevent tooth damage that is caused by grinding.

If these bruxism symptoms sound all too familiar, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.