What You Need To Know About TMJ

Jan 31st, 2017
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Temporomandibular joint disorder is more than annoying. It can cause oral health problems, and can even affect your general health.
Signs And Symptoms Of TMJ

If you have developed TMJ, you may notice symptoms that affect your mouth. When you close or open your mouth, a grating or popping sound may occur. You may experience difficulty closing or opening your mouth.

Some TMJ symptoms may be present in your jaw. Your jaw can lock, and your jaw muscles may become swollen or painful. You may notice a numb or tingling sensation.

Pain from TMJ does not only affect your jaw. You may feel pain in your neck or ear, and you may develop headaches.

How To Prevent TMJ

While TMJ can be treated, and symptoms may disappear, it is easier to prevent this condition than to treat it afterward. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult with your dentist as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can prevent further problems.

One of the main causes of TMJ is clinching or grinding your teeth. Not only does this put pressure on your teeth that can damage your tooth enamel, it is harmful to your jaw. If you have this habit, ask your dentist for advice on how to stop.

In many cases, clinching and grinding occurs when you are dealing with stress. There are healthy ways to relieve stress that do not harm your oral health.

In some cases, though, it occurs during the nighttime. If you grind your teeth when you are asleep, you may not be aware of it. Perhaps your spouse, parent, or other family member has brought this problem to your attention.

Nighttime grinding can be prevented by wearing a mouth guard. Ready-made mouth guards can be purchased from sporting goods stores, but a better approach is to obtain one from your dentist. It will be the correct fit for your mouth, and you can learn how to care for it properly.
The best approach to TMJ is to prevent it before it develops. You can have good oral health.

Teeth Whitening Resolution?

Jan 31st, 2017
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

New Year and resolutions go hand in hand. These resolutions are promises people make to themselves to get rid of a particular bad habit or develop a specific good habit. However, most resolutions don’t stand the test of time as they’re unreasonable or difficult to start with. Therefore, it’s important to take up a resolution that adds value and is also easy to implement. Teeth whitening can be one such New Year resolution. If you believe a fresh, white smile is what you need, the following teeth whitening treatments shall help you.

1. Tray and Gel

A tray-and-gel setup is a potent teeth whitening method that you need to work on with a dentist. The gel contains 10 to 15 percent hydrogen peroxide, which is the primary constituent of every teeth whitening product on the market. The dentist will custom fit the mold with your mouth and give you the whitening gel and tray for use at home. The tray makes sure the gel is applied evenly, ensuring some extremely impressive results.

2. Whitening Treatment Course

Another popular teeth whitening treatment option dentists provide is a series of treatments that last 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll require multiple sessions before you could notice results. This treatment is more expensive and more effective than the previous method as the hydrogen peroxide content here is 35 percent.

Foods to Avoid

There is a negative correlation between certain foods and whiter teeth. Some foods cause the teeth to lose their pearly white hue and are called “staining foods”. They are dark soups, dark chocolate, beets, dark marinades, tomato and soy sauces, blueberries, and dark beverages (coffee, wine, colored juices, etc.). Generally, Indian and Spanish cuisine could darken teeth thanks to their higher use of curry and tomato sauces.

It’s hard to imagine not eating these aforementioned food items forever, but you can certainly keep the consumption and frequency as low as possible. Also, these foods are strictly not recommended right after a teeth whitening session.

Conclusion

You may try at-home teeth whitening remedies, but remember they won’t be as effective or safe as in-office teeth whitening treatments since some foods are acidic and may cause tooth sensitivity issues. Needless to say, it’s not wise to experiment with your already vulnerable teeth.

Should you like to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening at The Dental Center please call 614-414-0111.