Bruxism, also known as grinding one’s teeth, is the action of gnashing or rubbing of the upper and lower teeth together usually during the nighttime, although some people will grind their teeth throughout the day as well.
Bruxism is typically an unconscious or uncontrolled action that the person isn’t even aware they are doing. Mild grinding of your teeth can be annoying but not require treatment; however severe bruxism can eventually lead to jaw disorders, headaches, and damaged teeth as it can put up to 250 pounds of force on a person’s teeth and jaws.
If you find you are waking up in the morning with a sore jaw or headache you should speak with an experienced dentist near you for possible bruxism treatment options.
Where grinding or bruxism is the rubbing together of your teeth throughout the night, clenching is the tightening of the jaw muscles without actually moving one’s jaws. Both actions can lead to discomfort or pain in the jaw muscles, but only bruxism will also damage the teeth.
Sleep teeth grinding is more common in children and adolescents, where it is estimated up to 50% of children grind their teeth while they sleep. This number drops to 15% when children hit adolescents and 3% in adulthood.
It is not fully known why some people grind or clench their teeth. For children it is thought that it has to do with their growth and development and related to their teeth coming in. Bruxism in adults however, is thought to be a condition related to stress, anxiety or other pathophysiological causes.
What Can I Do To Stop Grinding My Teeth?Depending on the severity of the condition there are a number of things you can try to help reduce your teeth grinding.
If the grinding or clenching of your teeth is not associated with pain on chewing localized in front of the ear (TMD: temporo-mandibular disorder: a problem in the jaw articulation) there are many options to alleviate teeth grinding including:
If the teeth grinding is creating noise during sleep (as reported by a family member or friend) or causing chipped/flattened/broken teeth as diagnosed by a local dentist near you then a nightguard may be helpful to prevent future harmful effects to your teeth. A night guard may not completely eliminate the teeth grinding, however, it can reduce the intensity and it will protect the teeth and prevent costly dental treatments.
If the teeth grinding/clenching is associated with TMD and you are suffering from other symptoms such as headaches, migraines, shoulder or neck pain, then an evaluation by a TMJ specialist would be most beneficial to diagnose and treat the TMD together with the other symptoms comprehensively.
Many of the above suggestions for dealing with teeth grinding can still be implemented for more severe cases combined with more specialized occlusal splints finely adjusted to treat any potential articulation issues.
If you are concerned about bruxism and grinding your teeth and you live in Manhattan or anywhere in New York don’t hesitate to contact the office at Making You Smile Cosmetic Dental Studio for a treatment consultation today.
Here at Making You Smile NYC, we are always surprised by patients who don't brush their tongue. When asked why, they simply say “I didn’t know I had to.”
The tongue is home to a lot of bacteria that grow and cause bad breath as well as a bad taste in your mouth. This is due to the fact that your internal body is at 98.7 degrees, the ideal temperature for bacteria growth. Some people even have deep fissures or grooves on their tongue which make it easy for bacteria to hide and thrive. The bad taste occurs when taste buds on the tongue get covered in bacteria. If the bacteria aren't removed, it can alter the perception or taste of food, making it important to make sure you are cleaning your tongue properly.
Just like there is a correct way to brush your teeth or floss your tongue also needs to be cleaned in the right manner. You can brush your tongue with your toothbrush, or with a variety of tongue brushes or tongue scrapers that are sold wherever oral hygiene products are available. Brush the tongue starting from the back as far as you can go without gagging and work your way forward. Once you've brushed your tongue thoroughly make sure to rinse out your mouth well.
Remember that a clean tongue and mouth equals fresh breath and makes food taste better. A clean and healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy and happy body.
If you live in the New York area and are looking for an experienced dentist to help with bad breath issues, tooth sensitivity, or some other oral hygiene problem please contact our office. We would be happy to schedule you a consultation to see what can be done to give you the smile you've always wanted. Or book an appointment now.
There are many reasons why a person might consider having gum contouring, or gum enhancement surgery. If you are unhappy with your gum-to-tooth ratio and feel that your teeth look too long or too short, or that your gums are uneven you could be a good candidate for gum reshaping or contouring at our cosmetic dental office.
What Causes Gums To Recede?Besides just for aesthetics you might be considering gum contouring to deal with gum recession issues. Gum recession poses considerable long-term challenges to maintaining the health of a tooth, making the tooth longer and causing it to be susceptible both to cavities and sensitivity. The root of the tooth isn’t protected by enamel in the same way as the crown, so once it’s exposed by gum recession it causes sensitivity and is more prone to decay.
Some Common Causes For Receding Gums Include:
A US study found that “38% of people aged 30-39 had some degree of the condition, compared with 71% in the 50-59 age group, and 90% for those aged between 80-90. However, that doesn’t mean aging in itself is the cause. It’s a long process that can start in your teens, and one that can be triggered by various factors.”
How Does Aesthetic Gum Enhancement Work?Aesthetic gum enhancement or gum contouring helps restore the aesthetics and health of the tooth by:
Gum enhancement surgery involves a combination of lasers, scalpels, and radiosurgery to reshape the gum line either removing excess skin tissue or altering the existing gum line so that it is pulled down to cover more of the tooth's surface. The recovery time for gum contouring surgery is generally anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. During this time it is recommended to stick to soft foods, avoid spicy foods, take pain relievers as directed by your dentist, and follow their specific brushing instructions for your teeth so that everything will heal quickly and correctly.
If you live in the New York area and you aren't pleased with the shape of your gums, or if you are dealing with sensitivity issues due to gum recession please contact our office. We would be happy to schedule you a consultation to see what can be done to give you the gums and smile you've always wanted.
Not only are we able to do gum contouring at Making You Smile we also offer dental contouring services. These teeth reshaping options come at an affordable cost and can drastically alter the shape of your teeth.
Tooth sensitivity is the irritation of the nerve endings inside the tooth. Tooth sensitivity is caused by the exposure of the dentine (the layer of the tooth below the white hard enamel of the teeth) to the oral environment.
A lot of things can cause sensitive teeth.
Tooth sensitivity includes a painful response to hot, and cold temperatures as well as certain contact, and even air. Sometimes it can be unbearable. It can hinder you from enjoying simple things in life; like eating ice cream, drinking hot coffee or breathing in winter’s cold air. Some people even experience pain while brushing their teeth.
Using whitening tooth paste - The most common one today is the excessive use of whitening product from over the counter, whitening tooth paste in particular. In my practice 9 out of 10 patients who complain from sensitivity everywhere in their mouth use whitening tooth paste. In that case I recommend using an anti sensitivity tooth paste at night just before going to bed, brush for two minutes and spit. Do not rinse the mouth with water or mouthwash, eat or drink. In the morning you can continue to use the whitening tooth paste unless the sensitivity is severe.
Brushing too hard - The second most common reason is due to harsh brushing often with a hard or medium bristle tooth brush resulting in recession of the gums at the neck of the teeth. The tooth usually looks long and yellowish it the neck because the gym pulled away at the neck of the tooth. In that case I also recommend using an anti sensitivity tooth paste at night just before going to bed, brush for two minutes and spit. Do not rinse the mouth with water or mouthwash, eat or drink. In addition smear a pea size amount of that tooth paste on he neck of the tooth or teeth which are most sensitive. If there is no improvement in two weeks or the sensitivity worsens then you should have the tooth looked at by a dentist. The hard brushing may have caused some of the tooth structure to be lost necessitating additional treatment.
Drinking too much soda - Sensitivity may also be caused by the melting of the enamel due acids by excessive consumption of soda, citrus drinks, lemon in water, sucking on lemon, excessive swishing of wine,... Identifying the habit and taking steps to strengthening the remaining enamel with fluoride is key before restoring the damaged teeth. A dental consultation is needed to assess the extent of the enamel loss.
Cavities - finally sensitivity maybe caused by cavities, however much less often then people think. Cavity melts first the outer enamel exposing the dentine thus causing sensitivity to cold and sweets. The cavity process is usually advanced when cavity causes sensitivity. So usually if you are getting regular checks and cleaning most probably your sensitivity is due to one of the reasons above. A dental consultation is needed to diagnose a cavity and propose the best way to treat it. Part of that treatment should be a nutritional counseling to identify why a cavity developed and what should change in the diet habit to prevent a new cavity from developing somewhere else. If you have a cavity, it will bring sensitivity and then pain will follow.
Try a little tenderness: Sometimes, tooth sensitivity is caused by using a medium or hard bristled brush. The bristles can remove the gum tissue from your teeth causing them to appear longer than usual. This also uncovers and exposes the root surfaces of the teeth. Instead try using a soft bristled brush.
Go easy on your pearly whites: Using too much force while brushing is also damaging. It takes time, not pressure to clean teeth. Excessive force can also cause wearing of the gum tissue and enamel.
Grinding your teeth: We lead stressful lives and often that stress shows itself through our teeth. Many of our patients experience damaged teeth due to grinding at night. Protect your teeth by investing in a night guard and by finding ways to de-stress.
Clenching teeth: same as grinding teeth above.
Chewing ice: Like grinding and clenching, chewing on ice is hard on your teeth and can cause sensitivity. It's best to avoid the practice and give your teeth a break.
--> Clean teeth are strong teeth: By regularly visiting your dentist and hygienist, you can identify these causing factors and choose a specific plan to help diminish or stop sensitivity to your teeth.
If a dentist does not see an obvious reason for your pain, then the situation may call for treatment of the sensitive area with topical fluoride and the use of a desensitizing toothpaste for a short length of time. These toothpastes contain ingredients that block off the nerve-enriched tubules in the exposed dentin.
Although there are a few brands of tooth sensitivity reducing tootpastes, the best ones are only sold by prescription (in the US) or only bought at the dental office. These are some of the recommneded brands:
Either brush with a super soft toothbrush for two minutes, no rinsing, no drinking or eating for at least one hour, use 1 to 2 times a day or apply with finger to the neck of sensitive teeth, no rinsing, no drinking or eating for at least one hour, use 1 to 2 times a day
In Europe, these brands are recommended for tooth sensitivity:
http://www.pierrefabre-oralcare.ch/fr/produits/dentifrice-elgydium-dents-sensibles
http://www.pierrefabre-oralcare.ch/fr/produits/gel-dentaire-desensibilisant-sensigel
Yes in general all types of sensitivity get worse if the cause is not identified and removed, such as proper selection of the tooth brush, brushing technique, diet modification etc.
If you are experiencing teeth sensitivity, we encourage you come into our dental office in Midtown Manhattan so we can properly diagnose it.
When it comes to selecting a solution for straighter teeth, adults and teenagers alike shy away from braces due to the thought of physical and emotional discomfort that the treatment entails. Despite the advent of Invisalign, many patients with serious malocclusions or bite imperfections struggle to find an effective solution that does not compromise their outer appearance. This is where ceramic braces come in.
Ceramic braces are a breakthrough treatment that has opened the doors to resolving all manner of orthodontic concerns. Featuring intricate tooth-colored brackets, ceramic braces offer patients the best of both worlds – whether you are a high school student, a businessperson always in the public eye or any individual who wants to look great during treatment.
There is a variety of benefits to straightening your teeth with ceramic braces, including but not limited to:
Although treatment costs are higher than most orthodontic solutions, the investment is well worth the comfort, beauty, and efficiency that are part of your journey towards the smile of your dreams.
Please note that maintaining a meticulous dental hygiene routine is the only way to prevent ceramic braces from staining . Furthermore, this solution is not ideal for individuals who smoke and/or regularly expose their teeth to tea, coffee, or red wine . Be sure to mention these habits during your initial consultation, and Dr. Jalbout will make a professional recommendation on whether ceramic braces are indeed right for you.
To experience the difference of achieving straight teeth in a beautiful smile with ceramic braces in New York City, please contact us at Making You Smile Cosmetic Dental Studio today!
When you lose a tooth, the problem is about much more than just that tooth – you also lose the purpose that it fulfills in your mouth. Without that tooth, the surrounding teeth begin to shift to fill in the space left behind. This leads to additional gaps and spaces, and it can also lead to bone loss which can affect your entire jaw and bite. Without a strong bite, your eating habits can be affected and then your overall health can suffer.
For people of all ages, aesthetic dental implants are the perfect way to replace missing and/or damaged teeth with a fixed, permanent structure that looks and feels like your remaining natural teeth. When you seek to restore your smile with dental implants in New York City, look no further than Making You Smile Cosmetic Dental Studio.
With a dental implant, you can restore the natural function of a missing tooth, enhancing both your smile and overall health. Dental implants look completely real as well as ensure that your bite remains strong and natural. Furthermore, they eliminate the bone and gum tissue loss that results from tooth loss, prevent the “sunken-in” look of premature aging, and offer permanent support to bridges and dentures.
Dr. Jalbout’s expertise in dental implants is second to none. With a Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry and his experience as director of the “Fundamentals of Implant Dentistry” didactic course, you can rest assured that your smile in the right hands.
Our complete selection of dental implants services includes:
To ensure that we provide the highest quality implant products and services, we obtain dental implants exclusively from the largest USA implant company called Zimmer-Biomet. Its website features a patient education section on everything about dental implants to help you prepare for your own treatment. Dr. Jalbout reaches two three-days courses for them every year.
We also partner with a top-quality dental laboratory to provide the most natural-looking implants you can find. Superior patient care is truly our number one priority!
To learn more about our options and/or determine your candidacy for dental implants in New York City, please contact us at Making You Smile Cosmetic Dental Studio today!
This video also offers a glimpse of what you can expect at your appointment. Have a look at some of the services we offer and also how they are performed. We look forward to your next visit.
When you first walk into a room, all eyes are immediately drawn to your smile and a first impression is formed before you even say “hello.” Making the first impression takes a mere 15 seconds, and yet its effects can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, a natural smile is rarely as perfect as we want it to be: Whether your teeth are discolored, cracked, crooked or missing altogether.
Living in Manhattan – the cultural and financial capital of the world – it is more important than ever to maintain a pleasing aesthetic appearance, as a positive first impression can greatly influence your social and professional success. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes in.
There have been many interesting studies about the current status of cosmetic dentistry and the future of the industry. One recent study, conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) in late 2015, unveils some of the mysteries surrounding the popularity of cosmetic dentistry as we head into 2017:
With the popularity of cosmetic dentistry on the rise, the numerous aesthetic solutions undergo continual improvements. This, in turn, offers patients the chance to have evenly aligned, white teeth in a beautiful smile at any stage of life with cosmetic dentist services like teeth whitening, dental implants, Invisalign in NYC and more.
If you are ready to speak with a specialist offering cosmetic dentistry in Manhattan, we welcome you to contact us at Making You Smile Cosmetic Dental Studio today. Simply call 646-484-0197 or email care@makingyousmile.nyc, and our lead cosmetic dentist Dr. Ziad Jalbout will be happy to guide you towards the smile that you deserve!
Composite bonding is used in a wide range of dental procedures. Take a look at the different applications with our before and after gallery. From closing spaces between your teeth to fixing cavities and replacing mercury fillings. Bondings are the first choice for treatment.
