Teeth Grinding: 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. Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS provides night guards to prevent this from happening and to provide you with relief.

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. The purpose of a night guard is to protect your teeth and jaws. At our practice, if you require a night guard we will custom make them just for you.

If you have questions or concerns about bruxism or teeth grinding, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com. 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

Each of us has a temporomandibular joint. This joint is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull which lay in front of each ear. Without this joint, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the foods that we love, yawn when we are tired, or speak. If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with jaw pain, or notice a clicking or popping noise when you chew, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS may need to evaluate you to rule out a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Though there is no known cause of TMD, specialists have some guesses. An injury to the face, grinding the teeth because of bruxism, or stress on the joint can lead to problems. TMD often causes discomfort and pain and may make eating or speaking seem like a difficult task. Once you have been diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Pandya will likely suggest a mouth guard or a night guard to wear during sleep to prevent further complications.

If you have questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com.