Night Guards for Bruxism

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism. Bruxism is defined as any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight.

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases, tooth loss can occur and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. To fit you with a custom night guard a dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. This is an easy step to take to protect your teeth with an added bonus of improving sleep! 

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Smoking With Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should see Dr. Cynthia Wong and her staff for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea with a snore guard, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea like a snore guard or CPAP machine, but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Solutions for Tooth Crowding

Occlusion is a term that refers to the alignment of teeth. Ideally, the teeth should fit easily in the mouth without crowding or spacing issues, but no one is born with a straight smile. The teeth won’t be able to perform their vital functions if they are misaligned. Which is why Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics offers several orthodontic methods to fix improper alignment and a crowded smile.

Tooth crowding occurs from genetic and environmental factors. Treatment options for children and adults will differ depending on the size of the jaw. Sometimes the mouth is simply too small to handle the teeth that have erupted. In addition to correcting the problem with orthodontic treatment, Dr. Wong may suggest a palatal expander, a space maintainer, or with tooth extractions.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment or treatment for weak teeth, please give us a call. To learn more the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Weak Teeth

Tooth enamel is the outermost layer of the teeth and its purpose is to protect them from tooth decay and physical damage. Though tooth enamel is the hardest mineral substance in the body, it’s not invincible and has the ability to weaken over time. Weak teeth can also develop from the food and drinks we consume. Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is here to help you improve your oral health to avoid weak enamel.

If you notice your teeth and gums becoming increasingly sensitive, this is a symptom of enamel erosion. Acidity is enamel’s worst enemy, so the best prevention is eliminating sugary beverages and sodas from your diet. Additionally, if you brush your teeth too hard, you may wear down your enamel over time. Because tooth enamel can only be replicated with dental bonding if lost, we encourage patients to practice prevention to save time in the dental office and protect your smile.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment or treatment for weak teeth, please give us a call. To learn more the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.