dental health | SeaSide Dentistry https://www.seasidedentistrync.com Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:08:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 Sleep Apnea: Bruxism Common Companion https://www.seasidedentistrync.com/sleep-apnea-bruxism-common-companion/ Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:08:09 +0000 https://www.seasidedentistrync.com/?p=275 Many times, a sleep apnea disorder is discovered first by our dentist long before your primary care physician makes the diagnosis. This is because a related disorder that is closely associated with sleep apnea is bruxism, the habit of grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw. Our dentist may discover wear on your [...]

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]]> Many times, a sleep apnea disorder is discovered first by our dentist long before your primary care physician makes the diagnosis. This is because a related disorder that is closely associated with sleep apnea is bruxism, the habit of grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw. Our dentist may discover wear on your teeth, wounds in your mouth, muscular soreness in your face or neck, and other telltale signs that alert her to bruxism. Then, our dentist may recommend that you get an appointment at a sleep clinic for testing.

Because bruxism is an involuntary physical movement of the jaw during sleep, it is classified as a sleep-related disorder as much as a dental issue. Grinding and clenching may happen at any time of the day or night, but typically they occur during nighttime sleeping hours. This fact makes bruxism hard to recognize. Some factors that help spot potential bruxism are sensitive teeth, feeling soreness in the muscles of the jaw, neck, and/or face, and being prone to headaches—especially in the morning.

Taking a sleep test is one of the first things you should do to determine whether or not sleep apnea is a serious problem. Our dentist can request this for you from a local clinic where you can be monitored in your sleep.

If you are worried about your pattern of sleep, feel exhausted all the time, or have neck or jaw pain, come and see Dr. Donna Gentry for an evaluation. Please contact SeaSide Dentistry to make an appointment at: 252-764-2784, or come by our office in Cedar Point, North Carolina.

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]]> Care for Your Temporomandibular Joints https://www.seasidedentistrync.com/care-for-your-temporomandibular-joints/ Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:55:01 +0000 https://www.seasidedentistrync.com/?p=273 Do you take care of your joints? Did you know, there is a joint that moves your jaw, and when inflamed it can be hard to talk or eat? Well, it’s true! If you struggle with any joints in your jaw, Dr. Donna Gentry here at SeaSide Dentistry in Cedar Point, North Carolina, is happy [...]

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]]> Do you take care of your joints? Did you know, there is a joint that moves your jaw, and when inflamed it can be hard to talk or eat? Well, it’s true! If you struggle with any joints in your jaw, Dr. Donna Gentry here at SeaSide Dentistry in Cedar Point, North Carolina, is happy to assist you! To help you understand more about your TMJ’s here is some basic information to help you understand more about your TMJ’s.

Your temporomandibular joints, also known as TMJ’s are on each side of your face close to your ears. The joint includes muscles on your face and a ball and socket that works to open and close your jaw as you talk, eat or move your jaw in any way. At times, this joint can become sore and tight when you first wake up or throughout the day as you try to eat and talk. Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD, is a disorder that aggravates this joint and causes extreme pain.

There are many factors when it comes to triggering TMD, such as injuries, tooth alignment, jaw alignment, arthritis, stress, teeth grinding while you sleep and the dislocation of the jaw. The first step to disabling this condition is always to pursue a diagnosis, so your dentist can find the right treatment for your unique needs.

If you need help with your jaw, consider calling our office at 252-764-2784 to set up an appointment with a friendly member of our staff. We are happy to assist you and your treatment plan in any way we can.

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