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.

 

 

 

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.

 

Night Guards for Protection Against Teeth Grinding

Grinding teeth can lead to damaged teeth, worn down teeth, sensitivity, and jaw pain. To protect teeth from damage during the night, a night guard should be worn. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer night guards for their patients who need protection from grinding and clenching their teeth at night.

During the day, teeth grinding and clenching can still be present, but it is easier to recognize the behavior and stop it. At night, you almost have no control over doing it. Teeth grinding will wear down enamel, causing sensitivity and making teeth prone to cavities. The sound of grinding at night can also be disturbing to any sleeping partners.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists create a custom night guard to wear while sleeping. The night guard puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth so night grinding cannot cause harm. We take impressions of your teeth so that the night guard created is a perfect fit. Night guards are durable and may last for up to ten years.

Grinding teeth can damage teeth, wear them down, and cause pain and sensitivity. Protect your teeth by putting a shield between them. If you would like to try a night guard, or if you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night but do not know for sure, schedule an appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in their Oyster Bay, NY dental practice. To schedule, call (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.

Night Guards

Night Guards

Here at Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we want our patients to have good oral health, and that starts with preventative care. One type of preventative care is through the use of night guards. Night guards are worn by patients who have a problem with grinding or clenching their teeth at night. While it may not seem like a serious problem, teeth grinding can lead to reduced tooth enamel, which weakens teeth. Teeth grinding may also cause severe headaches, jaw pain, and an irritation of the gums. Night guards help prevent these from occurring.

The benefits of night guards include the following:

• Protecting the patient’s teeth so they don’t weaken or crack from being worn down.


• Saving patients money on future dental procedures.


• Getting relief from headaches and jaw pain.


• Eliminating partner disturbance while sleeping and grinding teeth.

Our night guards are made custom to the patient, so they fit comfortable and do not interrupt their sleep. Dr. Denise VeyVoda starts by making impressions of the patient’s teeth and sending them to the lab. Once they arrive, patients are instructed to wear them every night while sleeping. Night guards last about 10 years with proper care. Contact our dental office in Oyster, Bay, NY to learn more about night guards.