Myofascial Pain Syndrome

If you’ve ever had an issue inside your mouth, you’re probably aware of the varying degrees of pain that comes with it. Sometimes it can feel like your whole head is exploding just from a toothache and tenderness. Ressler, Hirschl & Lelchuk, DDS, PA is committed to helping you correct your problem and manage any pain associated as well. Your Florida dentist also takes pride in educating patients about how to prevent future oral problems. 

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (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

Ressler, Hirschl & Lelchuk, DDS, PA is located at two Florida locations for your convenience. You can find our North Miami Beach office in the Intracostal Mall at 3909 NE 163rd St., Suite 310. Our Mount Sinai Medical Center is located at 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, in Miami Beach. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit miami-dental.net or call our North Miami Beach office at 305-949-2630 or Mount Sinai Medical Center at 305-532-1444.

 

How to Clean a Night Guard

A night guard can be a blessing for a person’s oral health. These custom-fitted appliances prevent a wearer’s teeth from grinding against each other while they’re asleep and can reposition the jaw to reduce obstructive sleep apnea. But a night guard that isn’t properly cared for could become an infection nightmare, which is why we at the dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk want our patients to know how to keep them clean.

When a wearer removes a night guard in the morning, they should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The guard may also be soaked in a purpose-designed solution or cleaned with soap and water, but manufacturers still generally recommend brushing them to remove bacterial build-up. It may be a good idea to use a secondary toothbrush just for the night guard because the fluoride minerals in toothpaste could scratch plastic. It’s also important to use cool or room-temperature water to avoid warping the night guard, and to store it somewhere it won’t get too hot.

Maintenance for night guards is similar to that for dentures with one major difference: the night guard should be kept dry. Wearers should also clean the guard’s ventilated case each day and pat it and the night guard dry. Some migration in a patient’s teeth is natural, so wearers should expect to sometimes need the night guard to be professionally refitted.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Sleeptember

If your jaw hurts or your teeth are misaligned, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be to blame. Although OSA is believed to be one of the most common health conditions in the United States, it is underdiagnosed. Consequently, nighttime tooth grinding (bruxism) being caused by OSA often is not treated properly. At the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach dental offices of Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, we want our patients to know how to address the source of the problem, which is why we’re pleased the American Sleep Apnea Association’s “Sleeptember campaign” is raising awareness of this issue.

In people with OSA, there is something, usually the tongue, blocking the airway. This prevents enough oxygen from getting to the patients’ blood and causes them to be pulled out of deep sleep throughout the night, leaving them fatigued. Bruxism results from the body unconsciously attempting to open an airway. The pressure put on teeth could cause them to tilt outward or, in the worst cases, crack.

Besides fatigue, other signs might include snoring and floppy eyelids. Overweight men are especially at risk. People who suspect they have OSA can get assessed at a sleep clinic, where their airways will be examined. They may be provided with a CPAP machine. We can also assist by fabricating custom-fitted oral appliances called night guards that will keep the jaws apart at night, protecting the teeth from further damage.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

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. If you experience signs and symptoms of bruxism, our doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, DDS, PA can provide you with an individualized treatment plan.

When diagnosing bruxism, one of our doctors may ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. Second, they examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. Finally, they will look at your teeth for evidence of grinding. During this examination, the doctor may also check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and joint.

If you wake up with jaw pain, or catch yourself grinding your teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors or hygienists, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.