Myofascial Pain Syndrome

If you’ve ever had an issue inside your mouth, you’re probably aware of the varying degrees of pain that come with it. Sometimes it can feel like your whole head is exploding just from a toothache and tenderness. Bayberry Dental Care is committed to helping you correct whatever problem is going on inside your mouth and help you manage any pain associated with it. This includes Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist also takes pride in educating patients about how to prevent future oral problems. 

MPS commonly occurs in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The pain is caused by tension, fatigue, or spasms in the jaw muscles. MPS is usually triggered by bruxism, a condition where a person clenches or grinds their teeth during sleep. Nightguards are a great way to prevent bruxism and ultimately the jaw soreness that is felt in the morning. MPS is not limited to just the jaw muscles, it can occur anywhere in the body including the back and neck muscles. 

Other treatments/preventions of MPS include:

- Splint guard, mouthguard, or nightguard

- Mild analgesics

- Physical therapy modalities

- Anxiolytic before bed

Are you experiencing Myofascial Pain Syndrome? We will pinpoint the problem and get you started on a treatment plan! Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, we at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park can help.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

- Stress and anxiety

- Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

- Aggressive or competitive personality type

- Psychiatric medications

- Smoking tobacco

- Consuming caffeine or alcohol

- Family history of teeth grinding

- Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Bayberry Dental Care is located on 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information about night guards or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Night Guards

When a patient clenches his or her teeth this action can erode tooth enamel making them prone to sensitivity. Grinding can also wear down teeth increasing the risk of costly dental procedures down the line to fix the problem. There are several ways to alleviate symptoms of bruxism, including night guards. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS may suggest one after a diagnosis is reached.

A night guard is an appliance that is worn throughout the night to alleviate pressure that is put on the jaw. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS creates custom night guards that are designed for the patient’s mouth and his or hers only. Regardless of what is causing your bruxism, the night guard will prevent you from grinding teeth during sleep and protect them from dental damage.

If you have questions about night guards, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Tooth Sensitivity in Children

As a practice that serves entire families, Bayberry Dental Care regularly uncovers the causes of tooth sensitivity in children. The reasons why children get toothaches differ somewhat from the reasons commonly seen in adults and it’s important when making a diagnosis to try to get them to be as specific as possible about what they are experiencing.

It may be that there is no problem at all. New teeth are often sensitive when they first erupt through the gum line and for a while afterward while they are first exposed to the air. This soreness will dissipate in time. However, since children are the demographic which most often gets cavities (also known as caries), a cavity is the most obvious problem to look for. Children can easily develop cavities by not brushing properly, but improper brushing itself can cause sensitivity if it damages the gums.

Another possible cause of dental pain is a sinus infection. This most commonly affects the upper back teeth. Children with diabetes are also at a high risk of developing gum disease, and gum recession leaves teeth’s roots exposed. Lastly, the misalignments common in children’s teeth often cause them to engage in tooth grinding, which erodes the teeth and causes jaw pain.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bruxism Basics

Grinding of your teeth, also known as bruxism can have a variety of causes. Some experts view bruxism as nothing more than a habit. It can also be a result of the body’s reaction when the teeth do not line up or come together properly. Some people grind their teeth only during sleep. This is called “nocturnal bruxism” or “sleep-related bruxism.” Others grind or clench their teeth during the daytime as well. If you experience signs and symptoms of bruxism, Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care can develop an individualized treatment plan for you.

When diagnosing bruxism, Dr. Kathleen Falsey will ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. She will then examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. Additionally, Dr. Falsey may look at your teeth for evidence of grinding as well as check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and the jaw joint.

If you catch yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.