Tooth Grinding and Nightguards in Northport, NY

Teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, is a severe condition that can lead to jaw pain, bite alignment issues, tooth wear, and even tooth loss.

Fortunately, your dentist in Northport, NY provides therapy to help prevent these oral health conditions by halting tooth grinding and clenching during sleep.

Remember, force applied over time to your teeth causes damage not only to the tooth structure but also to the nerve that sustains the health of the tooth. The supporting bone and soft tissue may show related changes, too. In advanced cases, signs and symptoms may become apparent in the jaw joint and muscles of the face; a problem commonly referred to as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD).

Signs You May Have Bruxism

If you grind and clench your teeth only during sleep, you may not know you have bruxism. For this reason, it is essential to look for the signs:

  • Tooth wear
  • Tooth or restoration chipping or breakage
  • Shifting teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Sleep apnea
  • Jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction 

Sleep apnea means breathing cessation multiple times throughout the night. This condition can influence heart health and can even lead to a stroke. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring and daytime sleepiness.

TMJ symptoms include clicking jaw, locking jaw and jaw, neck, or face pain.

Treatment Options and Nightguards in Northport, NY

Treatment recommendations are individualized and may include a combined approach, including one or more of the following:

  • Occlusal Guard—A custom-fitted dental appliance that is commonly worn over the teeth at night. It reduces the wear associated with fracture and thermal sensitivity. Some occlusal guards can reduce excessive muscle contracture and jaw soreness. A separate appliance for daytime wear, if indicated, is also available.
  • Custom nightguard—This appliance gently separates your upper and lower jaw during sleep to prevent grinding and clenching.
  • Sleep Appliance—A customized oral appliance to help keep the airway open during sleep.
  • Invisalign—Misaligned teeth can magnify the effects of minor bruxism habits, resulting in significant changes such as premature wear and excessive breakage.
  • Reconstruction—A wide range of restorative options are available. Generally, more severely damaged teeth require a more comprehensive "rebuilding."

Your dentist in Northport will examine your teeth, look for the telltale signs of bruxism, sleep apnea, and TMJ, and provide options to help you restore your oral health and well-being. Therapy may rely on a single solution or a combination of treatments.

At Northport Family Dental, we are here for you.

Contact Our Dental Office for Treatment Options

Our goal is to help you achieve oral health stability and safe sleep. Call us today to schedule a consultation with your dentist in Northport, NY.

Our knowledgeable doctors can help diagnose occlusal disease, making sense out of ongoing dental problems, daytime sleepiness, and pain.