Bernstein Dental Care: Blog

At Dr. Paul Bernstein’s Bay Ridge dental office, we assist patients suffering from jaw pain and teeth grinding as a result of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Night guards are a simple solution to both teeth grinding and throat obstructions, but they require daily maintenance to prevent bacterial build-up. There are cleaning solutions approved for night guards by the American Dental Association, and anti-bacterial soap works well, too. But most night guard manufacturers still recommend brushing it daily after removing it in the morning. Patients should take care to avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush (which isn’t appropriate for anything dental-related) and to not use a cleaning solution that is reinforced with minerals for teeth. Extra fluoride could scratch the night guard, creating a home for bacteria. The water should also be room-temperature to eliminate the risk of warping. The biggest difference between cleaning a night guard and a denture is that dentures should alway...

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. Paul Bernstein and the staff of Bernstein Dental Care 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 withd...

Sleep apnea is not only a serious medical condition, but left untreated it can lead to a plethora of other health issues and is dangerous for the heart.  A patient with sleep apnea does not breathe properly during sleep, resulting in low oxygen levels throughout the entire body. Breathing supplies lungs with oxygen but also the rest of the body.  When there is a lack of oxygen, the part of the heart responsible for moving oxygenated blood to the organs and extremities is forced to work extra hard.  This can cause an enlarged heart and eventually heart failure. Those living with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing irregular heartbeats, and also have a higher risk for a stroke and heart attack.  Men with untreated sleep apnea are actually living with double the risk for a stroke.  If you have yet to find a solution for sleep apnea, please visit Bernstein Dental Care for a consultation. If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep disorders, please give us a call...

Were you aware that if you experience pain in your jaw, neck, or head, you may be at increased risk for a car crash? The common factor is obstructive sleep apnea (OAS), and at Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge, we want our patients to understand what we can do to help. In people with OAS, the airways become blocked at night. In an attempt to keep them open, the jaw moves forward, resulting in night-time teeth grinding. Unfortunately, this is damaging to the teeth, causes pain in muscles connected to the jaw, and isn’t even a reliable way of getting enough oxygen to the body during sleep. New research on drivers with sleep apnea indicates that they are 13% likelier to crash their cars if their sleep apnea is mild and 123% likelier to crash if their sleep apnea is severe. Dentists can help patients get better rest by designing custom-fitted night guards. These oral appliances prevent the teeth from rubbing together, sparing the patient from jaw pain and helping to keep their airways op...