Custom Nightguards in Park Slope
Nightguards for Teeth Protection
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? The sound is rather unmistakable, so if you’ve heard this then chances are you do. Actually, all of are susceptible to teeth grinding and clenching—also called bruxism—every now and then. When stress, anxiety or anger hit, then one of our natural responses is teeth grinding. Problems begin, however, when bruxism becomes a habit. And because this habit most often occurs while you’re asleep, breaking the habit can be difficult if not impossible. Nightly grinding and clenching can negatively impact tooth enamel, gum tissue, your jaw and the bone structure that supports your teeth. Furthermore, this destructive habit can even lead to broken or fractured teeth.
Sometimes, bruxism can be a symptom of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) in addition to stress. Similar to a ball and socket, your temporomandibular joint—which is located on either side of your face just in front of your ears--slides and rotates so you can smoothly open and close your mouth to eat, speak, laugh and yawn. Sometimes an improper bite can interfere with the ability of this complicated joint to function well. In addition to teeth grinding and clenching, other symptoms of TMD include:
- A sore jaw that is more noticeable in the morning
- A stabbing pain when you open your mouth wide
- Sensitive teeth, but no sign of decay or other problems
- A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
- Swelling along the side of the face
- A jaw that sometimes feels locked or stiff
- Jaw pain when you eat
- Morning headaches
Nightguards in Park Slope
Dr. Sapienza can examine your teeth, bite and jaw to determine if you are a bruxer or if you also have TMD. In Park Slope, teeth grinding is treated with comfortable oral appliances. At The Dental Spa of New York, we can custom-make a nightguard to protect your teeth from nighttime grinding. By taking an impression of your teeth, we can design and fabricate a nightguard that will protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding and possibly relieve the pain you may be experiencing as a result of bruxism and TMD. The nightguard you receive from us will be made of smooth plastic. Thus, your nightguard with strong and durable, yet comfortable. It is important to wear your nightguard every night in order to reap the maximum benefits. And if you notice that you also grind your teeth during the day at certain times, Dr. Sapienza may want you to wear your nightguard for a portion of the day.
You can keep your nightguard clean by using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste at least once a day, typically in the morning when you remove the nightguard from your mouth. Then, store the nightguard in the hard plastic container we provide in a place away from heat or sunlight.
Dr. Sapienza and the staff at The Dental Spa of New York would be delighted to speak to you about a nightguard. The dentist Park Slope trusts conveniently serves patients from the surrounding communities of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Prospect Heights and Carroll Gardens and other areas of Brooklyn and Queens.