Should I Wear A Nightguard?

A nightguard is an oral device worn while sleeping to protect your teeth and jaw from clenching and grinding. Over time clenching and grinding can cause unnecessary wear on the teeth, sometimes leading to chips, cracks, and even tooth loss.

Night mouthguards are soft plastic and fit comfortably over your teeth. The nightguard absorbs force and friction from tooth grinding that can wear down the enamel and damage your teeth over time.

However, nightguards are not just for individuals who grind their teeth. Various conditions can benefit from wearing a nightguard. To see if a nightguard is right for you, call our sleep apnea specialist, Dr. Brian McDowell, for an evaluation and custom fitted oral appliance.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Nightly snoring is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a medical condition in which breathing stops for short periods when sleeping, often up to 10 seconds. Short periods of stopped breathing during sleep can prevent your body from receiving adequate oxygen, which increases your risk of health issues like heart disease and stroke.

A nightguard for snoring and sleep apnea differs slightly from a custom mouthguard. Our highly trained dentist in Fitchburg, Dr. McDowell, designs each oral appliance for sleep apnea to keep the airway open by gently pushing the lower jaw and tongue forward. This gentle pushing helps prevent the soft tissue and tongue in the back of the throat from collapsing and blocking the airway.

Grinding Teeth At Night

Bruxism is the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, which can cause wear and cause chips, cracks, or other damage. Bruxism may also lead to headaches, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. The cause of bruxism is unknown, but it may be correlated to anxiety, stress, or sleep disorders.

A nightguard protects your teeth from the wear and damage caused by grinding (bruxism) by absorbing the force and lessening tension and pain in the jaw muscles.

TMJ ~ Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMJ is a severe condition that affects an individual’s temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jawbone to the skull. It can cause jaw, neck, and shoulder pain, making it difficult to open or close your mouth. TMJ affects between 5% and 12% of individuals. Fortunately, TMJ is very treatable, and a nightguard is an effective non-invasive way to manage the medical condition. A nightguard can relieve some of the symptoms of TMJ because it keeps the jaw relaxed, alleviating pain and reducing inflammation.

Protects Dental Veneers & Restorations

Veneers and other dental restorations are dental treatments used to improve the function and appearance of teeth and provide added strength and aesthetics. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that your cosmetic dentist cements to the front of your teeth. Restorations, like fillings and crowns, replace tooth structures lost due to tooth decay or damage.

Nightguards are recommended for people with dental veneers or other dental restorations, as these teeth are more susceptible to damage. A nightguard keeps the teeth in alignment, preventing them from grinding and causing chips or cracks. This protection can prolong the restoration’s lifespan.

Improve Sleep Quality At Brian C. McDowell, DDS

Visit Brian C. McDowell, DDS, for custom-made oral appliances to protect your teeth and improve your quality of sleep. Call us at 978-252-2049 to book an appointment and learn how an oral appliance can get you a better night of sleep!

If you have ever woken up with a sore jaw, sensitive teeth, or a headache, you might have experienced bruxism. Bruxism, teeth grinding, is a condition where an individual grinds, gnashes, or clenches their teeth, typically unconsciously. Understanding the relation between obstructive sleep apnea and bruxism can help with understanding the potential risks of untreated OSA and teeth grinding.

While there are various reasons why you might grind your teeth, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may be a contributing factor. OSA is a sleep condition that affects up to 13% of men and 6% of women across the United States. Contact our sleep apnea specialist at Brian C. McDowell DDS, for an evaluation to learn how to manage and treat both conditions.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing patterns during sleep. These pauses can last a few seconds to a few minutes and occur multiple times per hour.

OSA happens when the muscles in the throat relax and obstruct the airway, causing decreased oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide. This sleep disorder can lead to severe health problems. Some health issues may include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

Sleep-Related Bruxism

During sleep, this condition is also called nocturnal bruxism or teeth grinding. It is a common condition that affects between 6% and 50% of children, 15% of adolescents, 8% of middle-aged adults, and 3% of older adults. Nighttime teeth grinding can cause dental and health problems if left untreated.

Dentists classify sleep-related bruxism as primary and secondary bruxism. Primary sleep-related bruxism is when no underlying medical condition or medication use can explain teeth-grinding behavior during sleep.

Secondary sleep-related bruxism is when teeth grinding during sleep is associated with an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, or depression, or is a side effect of medication.

Sleep Apnea and Teeth Grinding Correlation

There is a strong link between sleep apnea and teeth grinding. Those with sleep apnea may experience repeated pauses in breathing that lead to increased muscle activity in the jaw and grinding of the teeth.

Sleep apnea and tooth grinding negatively affect oral health. Bruxism caused by sleep OSA can lead to cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. This type of tooth damage may cause tooth or gum infections if not addressed.

Sleep apnea-induced bruxism can also cause tooth enamel erosion, weakening the tooth’s structure and making it more susceptible to cavities.

Contact A Sleep Dentist in Fitchburg Today!

Call our highly trained sleep apnea specialist, Dr. Brian McDowell at 978-252-2049 for and evaluation and custom-made, easy-to-wear oral appliances for a better nights sleep. You may need a sleep apnea assessment to determine if sleep apnea is causing nighttime bruxism or other oral health issues.

We also offer a range of oral appliances to help you get a better night’s rest and to protect your smile. They are an excellent alternative to CPAP machines for patients from Fitchburg, Gardner, Lunenburg, MA and surrounding areas with mild cases of sleep apnea.

Everybody gets bad breath at times. But for people with chronic bad breath, it can indicate something more serious, like gum disease or a tooth infection. Brian C. McDowell, DDS can help treat the underlying causes of bad breath so you can enjoy fresh breath and a clean taste in your mouth. If you are looking to treat chronic bad breath in Fitchburg, call our dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell at call (978) 252-2049. Schedule regular dental exam and teeth cleaning appointments to help prevent causes of bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

It’s important to distinguish between short-term lousy breath and chronic bad breath. Short-term bad breath occurs because of food residue in your mouth releasing scent molecules or decomposing. This odor can worsen if you are dehydrated because you’re not drinking water, too much coffee, or alcohol. Just brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth should be enough to handle your bad breath. But Don’t forget to brush your tongue, and don’t use mouthwash with alcohol. It can dry your mouth, leading to more bad breath even if it conceals the smell for a while. Conversely, Chronic bad breath may be a sign of something more serious. Causes include:

• Acid reflux
• Gum disease
• Infected tooth
• Tonsil stones
• Retained food
• Dry mouth
• Medications and diet
• Sleep apnea (mainly linked to morning bad breath)

Oral Bacteria & Bad Breath

The most common reason Fitchburg patients have chronic bad breath is bacteria buildup. Some oral bacteria “breathe” oxygen as we do, and they produce odorless waste gasses. Others use sulfur, which give off waste gasses that have a robust and rotten smell. The bacteria that use sulfur like to gather in areas where they are sheltered from oxygen. These regions include the spaces between your teeth, the area between your gumline and teeth, the core of an infected tooth, and the interior of tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are gatherings of bacteria and food residue in your tonsils. They occur when you have many bacteria in your mouth.

Food Stuck Between Teeth

Sometimes food debris gets stuck in your teeth. When this occurs, the odor from rotting food can cause bad breath. If your food regularly gets stuck in your mouth, it could be because of crooked teeth or tooth gaps that are likely to trap food. If you have gum disease or cavities, food can get trapped between your teeth and gums. Our Fitchburg dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell will examine where food gets trapped in your mouth and discuss a treatment plan that may include gum disease treatment, tooth fillings, or Invisalign.

Dry Mouth & Medications

One crucial step to try to control the bad breath is staying hydrated. Suppose you are getting enough water, but your body isn’t producing enough saliva. In that case, our dentist at Brian C. McDowell, DDS, will recommend saliva replacements that help your mouth remain wet and hydrated. Unfortunately, a dry mouth also is a side effect of some medications. So, if you experience chronic dry mouth and are not dehydrated, check to see if it’s related to your prescriptions.

Schedule A Consult For Bad Breath Solution

Call our Fitchburg dentist at (978) 252-2049 to schedule an appointment to discuss the causes of bad breath and a treatment plan. Our dentist has over 30 years of experience treating bad breath for patients from Fitchburg, Leominster, Westminster, Gardner, MA and other many surrounding areas.

You or someone you know may snore while sleeping. You may find yourself wondering why your husband or wife snores so loud? While most people regard snoring as a natural bodily function, it could also indicate other health complications. Snoring is the first sleep apnea indicator, a condition that develops when your airway is blocked while sleeping. Unfortunately, your body and brain fail to receive the proper oxygen needed to restore your body and prepare for the next day. With advanced training and over 30 years of experience, patients trust the expertise of Dr. Brian McDowell for sleep apnea evaluation in the Fitchburg area.

What happens when you have sleep apnea?

During the night, sleep apnea sufferers in the Fitchburg area may experience brief but frequent interruptions in breathing due to a sleep-related respiratory condition. Extreme occurrences have been documented, with individuals stopping breathing dozens or more times per hour. Our Fitchburg sleep apnea specialist will explain that although several sleep apnea forms exist, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most prevalent. In OSA cases, the airway becomes physically blocked during sleep, which causes snoring and is a predominant symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings in the middle of the night with gasping or choking sounds, morning dry mouth, sore throat, and headaches are some symptoms often associated with sleep apnea. Because of the interconnected nature of your oral and general health, this illness may have far-reaching consequences, especially if untreated.

Sleep Apnea Impact On Teeth and Gums

Sleep apnea may lead to many dental problems. When a person has sleep apnea, they often have to breathe through their mouth all night, which can cause dry mouth. In dry mouth conditions, bacteria can run rampant and cause extensive damage to tooth enamel. As a result, Fitchburg patients may have bad breath or plaque buildup, putting them at greater risk for gingivitis and periodontal gum disease. In addition, our Fitchburg sleep apnea dentist share more conditions sleep apnea may contribute to: • Damaged enamel • Lip and mouth ulcers • A surge in tooth decay • Scalloped-edge tongue • Grinding teeth causing excessive wear and tear

Sleep Apnea Impact On Overall Health

Those suffering from sleep apnea may have lower oxygen levels than usual. As a result, you may experience increased heart rate and blood vessel constriction as your body reacts to the stress. Several heart problems may result from a lack of oxygen, including hypertension, an elevated heart rate, inflammation, and stress on the heart. Additionally, sleep apnea may cause a variety of significant health problems, including but not limited to a stroke, hypertensive disorders, heart attack, asthma, or COPD. Since sleep apnea may cause other severe illnesses, we suggest that you schedule an appointment with our dentist in Fitchburg as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms. Contact Brian McDowell, DDS, for an evaluation and testing for proper diagnosis to begin controlling the the effects of sleep apnea.

Schedule A Sleep Apnea Evaluation

If you notice any signs of sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with our advanced-trained Fitchburg dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell for a sleep apnea evaluation at 978-252-2049. For over 30 years, Dr. McDowell has helped patients in the Fitchburg and surrounding areas such as Leominster, Westminster, and Gardner, MA relieve sleep apnea symptoms with oral appliance therapy.

These two dentistry topics may seem to have little to do with each other, but the truth is that TMD and dental implants are closely interconnected. Our dentist, Brian C. McDowell, DDS is an advanced TMJ Specialist in Fitchburg, and he will explain the connection between Dental Implants and TMJ and how each treatment affects the other.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a safe, innovative way to replace lost teeth. They consist of a metal post secured to the jawbone after a tooth is lost or extracted. During a short healing period, your bone fuses with the dental implant. Once healed, our cosmetic and restorative dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell will place a crown to replace the missing tooth and blend naturally with your natural teeth.

There are advantages of having dental implants over traditional tooth replacements. These dental implant benefits include comfort, safety, convenience, and functional considerations. For example, with dental bridges or dentures, there is no structure under the surface to replace the tooth’s root. As a result, the jaw can become weak and misaligned.

What is TMD?

TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder. It is commonly referred to as TMJ because it is a problem with the temporomandibular joint. This joint is the hinge that attaches your jawbone to your skull, allowing you to open and close your mouth. Disorders of this joint can cause:

• Pain and soreness of the teeth or jaw
• Headaches & Earaches
• Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
• Tooth grinding
• Dizziness
• Numbness of the fingers

Aside from affecting your quality of life, some symptoms, including teeth grinding, can even lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

What Does TMD Have to Do With Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a potential treatment and even a preventative measure against TMD. Here is why they work, along with answers to other frequently asked questions about dental implants and TMD.

Can I Get Dental Implants with TMJ/TMD?

The short answer is yes. Many patients with TMD are candidates for dental implants. Most of the symptoms of TMD do not affect your ability to get implants. The exception is teeth grinding, which may contribute to implant failure. If you show signs of tooth grinding, we can discuss ways to prevent it.

Can Dental Implants Improve TMJ/TMD

Dental implant treatment may significantly improve TMJ/TMD and prevent it from happening over other restorative tooth replacement methods. In addition, because dental implants are anchored to the jaw, they mimic your lost tooth’s root, maintaining the structural stability of your jaw and preventing misalignment that can lead to TMD.

Other Benefits of Dental Implants On Tooth Health

Dental implants improve your ability to chew naturally and efficiently. As such, you compensate less for missing teeth. This benefit also has the potential to decrease your risk of TMD.

Furthermore, implants lower your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Empty sockets where teeth are not replaced can collect bacteria, making neighboring teeth and gums more susceptible.
Another benefit is that dental implants prevent additional tooth loss. As we mentioned, a cavity in the jaw bone can result in poor jaw structure, leading to a deterioration of the bone. In addition, the otherwise healthy teeth next to a lost tooth can weaken, increasing the risk that they, too, will be lost.

Schedule A Consultation At Brian McDowell, DDS

Call our Fitchburg dentist at 978-252-2049 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian McDowell. With our over 30 years of advanced training, we treat many patient for TMJ from Fitchburg, Leominster, Westminster, Lunenburg, MA and many surrounding areas.

Is Tooth Pain a Sign of a Dental Emergency?

You’re relaxing at home when you suddenly feel significant pain or discomfort in one of your teeth. Do you need to call the dentist immediately? Or can you wait for the pain to subside? Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether tooth pain is genuinely urgent, but if it is, you can’t wait too long to call your emergency dentist for help. So, here’s what you need to know to decide when your tooth pain or toothache is a dental emergency.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

First, you must realize that there’s not just one possible cause of tooth pain. It could be the result of any number of oral health problems, including:

• Physical trauma, such as a blow to the face
• Arthritis of the jaw
• Untreated infection in a specific tooth
• Repeated grinding or clenching of the teeth
• An untreated cavity
• Sinus infection
• Impacted wisdom teeth

All these issues require professional care. Even if you don’t think you need treatment right away, call our Fitchburg dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell to schedule an dental exam for proper diagnosis.

When Is Tooth Pain An Emergency?

A toothache is an emergency if it lasts more than one or two days or if the pain worsens. These symptoms usually mean you have an advanced cavity or tooth infection, and such problems will only worsen if left alone for too long. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely you are to be able to save the tooth in question.

You should consider tooth pain an emergency if it’s linked to any visible dental damage, such as a cracked tooth. Broken enamel can’t heal independently, leaving the tooth vulnerable to infection. Hence, it needs to be repaired as quickly as possible.

What To Do If You Have Tooth Pain

Your first step should always be to call our Fitchburg emergency dentist, Dr. Brian McDowell, and explain your symptoms. Our dentist will be able to help you figure out whether you need emergency dental care. We will also give you first-aid tips so that you can prevent the problem from getting any worse until you are able to see the dentist.

While you’re waiting for your emergency dental appointment, you can control tooth pain at home by:

• Holding a cold pack over the pain.
• Rinsing your mouth with salt water regularly.
• Using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce your discomfort.

Contact Our Emergency Dentist Today!

Call our emergency dentist in Fitchburg at 978-252-2049 if you are experiencing tooth pain and feel it may be a dental emergency. It is always better to be safe when it comes to your oral health, so don’t hesitate to call our dental team right away! With over 30 years of experience, we have treated many dental emergencies for patients from Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Gardner, MA, and many surrounding areas.