Basics of Bruxism

Do you constantly wake up with jaw pain? Do you catch yourself clenching your teeth in the middle of the day? If you’ve answered yes to one, or both of these questions, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would like to discuss bruxism with you. Bruxism is a condition in which a patient grinds, gnashes, or clenches his or her teeth during sleep. Because this condition can cause damage to surrounding teeth, it is usually treated with a night guard.  

Mild bruxism may not require treatment, but severe bruxism can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, and damaged teeth. If you experience increased tooth sensitivity, jaw soreness, or tight jaw muscles, you may be considered a “bruxer.” For a proper diagnosis, it’s best to visit our doctors at Chapel Street Dental where you will receive personalized care for this problem.

If you have questions or concerns regarding bruxism causes and treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is the term used for any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.  Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight, and shouldn’t be ignored.  Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Chapel Street Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.

Night guards resemble mouth guards worn by athletes, but serve a different purpose. A dentist uses an impression of your teeth to ensure a custom fit, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. If you think you a custom night guard could help you, please contact us.

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit Newhavendental.care for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Stress and Tooth Loss

You’ve probably heard that stress is bad for your health, and at Chapel Street Dental, we want you to know that your oral health is no exception. Although we can treat tooth damage, patients need to understand the effects of stress so they can take preventive action.

Stress harms the mouth through inflammation and by triggering destructive behaviors. People who are under prolonged stress have weaker immune systems. Less able to fight off bacterial infection, they are at risk for gingivitis, which causes the gums to bleed. Periodontal disease, the more advanced form of gingivitis, causes erosion to tooth roots and their supporting bone structure.

Besides the hormonal effect, stress is also responsible for harmful attempts at self-soothing, such as jaw clenching and nighttime teeth grinding (called bruxism). The increased pressure on the teeth can cause them to crack, and in the worst cases, they can even break. It can also cause them to migrate. While psychological counseling may be necessary to deal with the root cause of bruxism or inflammation, we can still provide our patients with some protection. Night guards prevent the jaw from moving while the wearer is asleep, and we provide periodontal therapy to combat gingivitis.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.