What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is a joint, one which connects your jaw with your skull. It’s this joint that allows your mouth to move. For obvious reasons, it’s needed for a number of life tasks, including chewing your food and talking. The joint is connected to the muscles which control your jaw.

What is TMD?

TMD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint. It can cause a decent amount of pain, and may get in the way of talking, chewing, etc. This disorder may have any number of causes including head injury, dislocation, arthritis, bad chewing habits, etc. It is basically a blanket term for what may be one or a number of problems.

The Burden of TMD

To say the least, TMD can make your life pretty difficult. Symptoms range from clicking sounds in the jaw to limited mobility of the jaw to inability to chew and even lockjaw. Swelling and muscle pain may also occur. This wide range of symptoms may result in a variety of treatment options.

How Can TMJ be Treated?

Because TMJ can be representative of so many problems that might occur in the temporom and ibular joint and its surrounding muscle tissue, there are almost as many treatments for TMJ as there are symptoms. Light TMJ might be treated with changes in nutritional diet, or with standard joint pain treatments like the use of heat packs. Medication may help, from simple aspirin to muscle relaxants. If the TMJ is extreme, surgical treatment could be necessary. In addition, TMJ is sometimes uniquely connected with dental issues, which keeps it in the world of dentistry.

Is It Dentistry?

Yes. The dentist is responsible for your oral health and treatment of your teeth. Your dentist knows about TMJ and TMD, the burden of TMD and how to treat it. If you are experiencing consistent jaw pain, see your local dentist right away.

There are 3 key factors that are necessary to prevent and eliminate bad breath. While slipping a breath mint in your mouth may address bad breath temporarily, it is not a solution and wont address the root of the problem. Let’s take a look at how diet, digestion and hygiene affect your chances of bad breath.

1. Diet

It makes perfect sense. What goes down comes up too. Bad breath can actually sometimes be the result of a dietary issue. You see, all that food you consume and digest produces gas. You know how drinking a carbonated soda can result in gross belching? Carbonated drinks aren’t the only gassy substances that like to make their way from your stomach to your mouth. Sugary, acidic, fatty foods may also result in halitosis.

2. Digestive Patterns

Bad foods cause bad digestion, and bad digestion causes halitosis. Your breath isn’t just the result of bacteria in your mouth—it’s all connected as a result of a digestive process that if not up to par, can make your mouth smelly. Put simply, if you’ve got a poor digestive system, then chances are fairly high that you may have bad breath as well. If you are really serious about eliminating bad breath, then keeping a healthier diet might ensure a whole lot more progress. You can eventually stop relying on that box of Tic Tacs in your pocket.

3. Oral Hygiene

Bad oral hygiene remains one of the leading causes of bad breath. Poor oral health results in the build up of bacteria. This is bad for your teeth ,gums, and breath. The same bacteria that turns your teeth yellow may also be causing unpleasant odor. Brush your teeth two to three times a day and floss daily. Keep your teeth and gums clean to make sure your breath remains kissably fresh.

Bad breath can’t be stopped by simply using breath mints. Manage your diet, digestion and oral hygiene to keep halitosis from ruining your days.

Electric toothbrushes may provide meaningful advantages in terms of oral health and easier cleaning for your teeth. That does not mean that manual toothbrushes are outdated, though they’ve been used for thousands of years.

What’s the Difference?

What makes an electric toothbrush different than a manual toothbrush? Of course, there are some obvious answers: One is battery-powered, the other is not. One seems overpriced, and the other one costs pretty normal. The advantages of a motorized toothbrush is the advanced cleaning action provided by the spinning bristles. The rotating brush makes it easier to clean the harder to reach areas in your teeth.

Electric Brush Produces Cleaner Teeth?

Is an electric toothbrush better for your teeth than a manual toothbrush? The expected reaction from the more cost-conscious of us might be, “For what they cost, I’d better be able to see my reflection in my teeth when I’m done”. The truth is that any cleaning tool, whether it’s manual or electric, is as good as the person using it. While electric toothbrushes do make it easier to get teeth clean, the user must discipline himself/herself to use the device correctly—just as he/she would a manual toothbrush. With all that said, your decision as to whether to use a manual or electric toothbrush really comes down to how you much you value a clean mouth.

What Do You Value?

At the end of the day, you can always just keep your teeth clean with a manual toothbrush. You might keep your teeth cleaner with an electric toothbrush. It goes without saying that a manual toothbrush saves money—electric toothbrushes can cost up to a hundred times what you might pay for a normal toothbrush. So whether you’re really serious about having a perfect clean mouth through an electric toothbrush, or committed to maintaining your oral health the old-fashioned way with a manual one, your commitments to keeping your teeth clean will determine the best possible future for your mouth.

Sticky, carbohydrate-laden foods get stuck in teeth and cause teeth to rot, and highly acidic foods wear away enamel. Enamel erosion is responsible for extreme sensitivity to hot or cold food/drink, a weakened tooth surface that can break, and vulnerability to chemicals. Once damaged, enamel cannot be replaced or repaired.

Sugar by itself doesn’t cause cavities, but the bacterial growth and acid it causes in the mouth does. Cavities usually come about in unreachable areas of the tooth where flossing and brushing are ineffective. Severe damage isn’t caused just by the amount of sugar   or carbohydrates you eat.   The amount of time that sugar remains on your teeth throughout the day, the more harmful it is. You won’t necessarily feel the extent of the cavity or pain in the tooth until the damage is already done, and it never repairs itself unless the dentist fills it or performs a root canal to fix nerve damage.

Bad Foods For Your Teeth

As already stated, acidic foods, sugar and carbs are the basic causes of harm and damage to teeth. Some foods are easy to pinpoint (like citrus), others—not so much. You can still have highly acidic things like soft drinks, tomatoes (and tomato products), yogurt, aged cheeses, and most fruits—but within certain limitations. Sugary foods like chocolate, candy, chips, cookies, bread, and cakes should be eaten sparingly as they stick easily between teeth and can cause tooth decay.

Good Foods For Your Teeth

Eating a wide variety of natural and wholesome foods like fruits and veggies is the best way to maintain good teeth. The bigger the variety, the more likely you will be able to get all the minerals and vitamins you need. Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese restore lost calcium to teeth. Water, especially fluoridated, will stave off dry mouth and help saliva keep bacteria at bay.

When blended with proper brushing and flossing, eating healthy and making good nutritional choices can put you in better shape on your way to your next dental checkup.

The Benefits of Dental Bridges

There are so many great benefits from getting dental bridges. One huge benefit is that they bring back your long-lost smile. you will never have to be worried ever again about looking like a kid waiting around for the tooth fairy. Along with a perfect smile, bridges also bring back your ability to chew properly and speak the right way again while improving the shape of your face and balancing out the rest of your mouth.

A bridge is made up of two or more crowns on each side of the gap. These gaps are filled with false teeth in between. These“pontics”(false teeth) are made from gold, metal alloy, or porcelain materials.

What is the Process Like?

Your teeth are prepared on your first visit. For preparation, some of the enamel is removed to allow room for a crown. Impressions of your teeth are then taken and sent away to a dental lab. While you are waiting for your bridge to be created just for your individual mouth, a temporary bridge will be placed inside your teeth prevent harm to exposed teeth and gums.

On your second visit, the permanent bridge will be placed inside your teeth. A few visits may be required to ensure a perfect fit. This depends on each individual patient.

Types of Dental Bridges

• Traditional bridge- Traditionally the most common type of bridges, they are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics. Crowns for the teeth are inserted for each side of missing teeth, with false teeth in between them.
• Cantilever bridge- These types of bridges are used when there are abutting teeth on only one side.
• Maryland bonded bridge – (Maryland bridge or Resin-bonded bridge)-Made of plastic and supported by a metal framework. Metal wings on each side of the bridge are secured to your existing teeth.

How Long do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can last from five to 15 years or longer depending on oral hygiene habits and maintenance. In addition, the patient should continue regular checkups with their dentist. Brushing on a daily basis and flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease which can cause loss of teeth. Keeping a balanced diet and cutting out foods/drinks that could potentially harm your teeth is also a good idea. With a dental bridge, no one will be able to notice that you have false teeth. So stop missing out and missing teeth!   Ask your dentist about getting Dental Bridges today.

What is a Root Canal?

A Root Canal is a procedure used to repair teeth that are infected and decayed. During the procedure, the pulp and nerve are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treating the damage, the tissue will become infected.

When to Receive a Root Canal

When tissue or pulp is damaged, it creates harmful bacteria. Infections and abscesses in the mouth may come from it. Certain symptoms can lead to the swelling around your face and neck, loss of bone in your teeth, holes and drainage problems.

Signs to look for:

• Severe toothache caused by pressure
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot/cold food and drink during and after consumption
• Discoloration/darkening of tooth
• Swelling and/or tenderness in gums
• Pimples on gums that won’t go away

During a Root Canal

A Root Canal Procedure requires a few office visits to your dentist. An X-Ray may be taken to see whether or not there is an infection in the bone. Your dentist may use a local anesthetic to numb the area. Although anesthesia may not be necessary for the procedure, it is sometimes used to make the patient feel more at ease.

A hole is then drilled into the tooth and the decayed nerve tissue and pulp and are removed and cleaned. The cleaning is done by using ‘root canal files’. Once the tooth and area is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed. If it isn’t sealed on the same day of the procedure it is because of infection. Medication is given to the patient to cure the infection and a temporary filling is placed until it can be safely sealed.

Since a tooth that gets a root canal often has pretty bad decay, a crown and post is sometimes needed and placed on the tooth for its safety to prevent it from getting damaged. It helps in giving the tooth the opportunity to have full function again. If you need a crown, your dentist will advise you if it’s necessary for your treatment.

After a Root Canal

You may experience some sensitivity in and around the area for a few days after the procedure. You can purchase some over the counter pain meds like Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, etc. To prevent discomfort, you may want to chew on the other side of your mouth. Maintain good oral hygiene habits by flossing and brushing daily.

Root Canal procedures have a 95% success rate and come highly recommended to help with the health and cleanliness of your mouth. If your teeth aren’t healthy, then neither are you.

If you’re looking to keep an incredible smile, especially when you get older, it’s important to know what may be potentially harmful and what might stain your teeth. There’s more to maintenance than just keeping away from tobacco products (though that’s important); a number of factors may cause discoloration to your teeth. Let’s examine four potential causes of stained teeth.

A Poor Diet

Your daily caffeine intake from coffee and soda might darken those whites into not-so-whites. The key to diet—along with most other things in life—is to always remember to keep it all in moderation. Control yourself. Keep it easy on the soda, and on the coffee.   Remember that your diet doesn’t just affect your physical health, but it affects oral health and longevity as well.

Many teas and even wines are big causes when it comes to staining your teeth. Red wine and black tea are the most harmful if taken in excess. Be careful of sugary candies as well, which wear down enamel.

Tobacco Use

You probably already know that smoking and chewing tobacco adds extremely to just about every possible form of bad oral health. On this list includes teeth staining. Over time, nicotine and tar turns your beautiful pearly whites into ugly, yellow, and stained teeth. Don’t prevent a great smile: Stop smoking, and don’t chew tobacco.

Nerve Damage

Inside your teeth are sets of nerves. If these nerves should become damaged and stop functioning, your teeth will eventually turn jet black. A number of issues may be the cause of this, which includes physical damage from traumatic events, or from extreme tooth decay.

The Older You Get

Unfortunately, over the years as you grow older, the enamel on your teeth will start to lose its once youthful white look. This coloring can sometimes be maintained or extended. If you still have white teeth in your golden years it displays great care and commitment to oral health.

Trust in Your Dentist

If you desire to keep your smile forever white, it’s vital to create a plan of action between you and your dentist. Set some long term goals in order to maintain your oral health. Through flossing, daily brushing and visits to the dentist you’ll be far more likely to keep those teeth free from unsightly staining.

Over the Counter Whitening Just Doesn’t Cut It

It is safe to say that even though over counter whitening products look intriguing and less expensive than dental procedures, they just don’t do the trick. Drug Store bleaching gels have some disadvantages. They only whiten teeth slightly but are better utilized to maintain teeth that have already been whitened by bleaching. Try not to spend your money on products that barely do the job. You could be missing out on the better dental options for teeth whitening that actually can make a significant difference in your smile and your confidence.

The Natural Approach

There are tips and tricks to keep your teeth white and prevent stains from finding their way into in your mouth. Drinking sugary and acidy   beverages from a straw rather than straight from the glass for example. The straw isolates and brings the liquids directly into your mouth instead of squishing in and around your teeth. In addition, eating fruits and veggies while maintaining a good calcium intake can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Baking Soda is also something you can use moderately to naturally re-freshen your smile. Be Aware, you should avoid using this product on a daily basis since it can do more damage than good if you overuse it. You want to help whiten your teeth the right way, not wear down the enamel.

Bleaching and Whitening

The above products and tips are temporary and short term options for whitening teeth . Honestly, the only option that guarantees a whiter mouth is professional Bleaching and Whitening at the dentist’s office. Despite what you may have heard, these procedures are not dangerous for your teeth at all.

There are a few different options for teeth whitening:

Take Home Gel Trays: Bleaching trays are personalized for the patient and whitening gel is given. This process involves wearing trays for a two-week period at home. They give you natural-looking whiter teeth without any stains.

In Office Treatment: In-Office System that takes only One hour and uses a laser to brighten the tint of your teeth.

In Office and Take-Home Treatment: The One Hour In-Office System plus and Home Bleaching System can be used together for the whitest smile you can have, which provides a long term solution for keeping you teeth white

All of these procedures are offered at your local dentist office. They are best options out there that guarantee a whiter smile. If you want to go from mellow yellow to wonderful white, the right choice is clear.

Keeping your oral health in the best shape you can is not rocket science. Read on for ten tips to help preserve your teeth and gums for life.

1-Try to Avoid Sugar

This is a no-brainer, one you’ve no doubt been hearing since you were in elementary school. The simple principle of staying away from sugary foods might do wonder for you: Those candies will undoubtedly rot your teeth.

2-Brush at Least Twice a Day

Don’t go through the morning with that a.m. breath still intact: It’s nasty; you need to brush. Keep in mind it goes without saying, Don’t go to bed without brushing either. You would be giving the opportunity for your dinner to wreak havoc in your mouth.

3-Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Flossing

Time and time again, it’s been proven that brushing your teeth is just not enough to maintain your oral health in the long term. You need to remove bits of food and grime that hides between your teeth, where your brush can’t fit into. Flossing at least once daily is vital for getting your mouth positively clean.

4-Go to the Right Dentist

Carefully research which dentist you will subject your oral health to. Not all dentists are created equal. There’s a fine balance between going to the dentist you like and putting your trust onto the dentist who has the guts to tell you what you don’t want to hear.

5-Don’t Be Cheap

When it comes to your mouth, don’t shortchange yourself and take the cheap route. The less expensive dental procedures are often not the best ones. Don’t step over a dime to save a nickel. Pursue quality oral care procedures.

6-Think for Long Term

Think you can’t afford braces for your kids now? Look at the long view: Countless studies have shown the positive effects of teeth that are taken care of when people are younger.

7-Attend to Dental Issues Early

As with any issue related to your health, you want to get problems taken care of as quickly and completely as possible.

8-NO Tobacco

This is one of the non-negotiables of oral health: If you want a healthy mouth (and healthy life), smoking and chewing tobacco cannot be a part of the equation.

9-Be Aware of What’s Happening in Your Mouth

Check your mouth on a regular basis for wounds or cysts that change color or won’t go away.

10-Stay On Top of It

The key to great oral health, as with any other aspect of life, is regular care. Don’t get tired of the routine of regular dental appointments or oral care. In this manner, you’re protecting your teeth and gums for a longer and healthier life.

In 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General announced that there is sufficient scientific data to ensure that smoking can result in periodontal disease. Two years later, they asserted that contact with secondhand smoke is hazardous in many ways. New studies now demonstrate that secondhand smoke and periodontal disease coincide  with one another. They found that individuals that are subjected to secondhand smoke from 1-25 hours per week had elevated their chances 29% of acquiring severe periodontitis when in comparison with unexposed people. Individuals who’re subjected more than 25 hours per week were doubled compared to individuals who were not exposed.

Getting to Know Periodontal Disease

If you have been advised that you have periodontal disease (gum disease), you are not on your own. It’s more widespread than you might believe. Typically it starts with only simple bacteria and plaque in your teeth that could cause Gingivitis. If left neglected, the gums will inflame, creating much trouble for the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth. If this isn’t cared for, loss of teeth and infection may occur.

What can cause Periodontal Disease?

• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Diabetes
• Hormonal changes
• Medicines
• Health problems that deteriorate the immune system like AIDS or cancer that may weaken your gums

Signs and symptoms to Search For

Symptoms of periodontal disease can include:

• Red or inflamed gums
• oral odor that will not disappear
• Discomfort or bleeding in gums
• Discomfort when eating
• Loose and sensitive teeth
• Receding gums

To make sure your teeth are the best they can be, be motivated about keeping up with good dental hygiene. It might be easier to avoid extended contact with secondhand smoke. Talk to your dentist about deep cleaning and root planing which helps with elimination of bacteria that adds towards the disease. Additionally, always keep flossing and brushing daily and go to your dentist for normal check-ups to maintain clean, healthy and resilient teeth.