Identifying and Preventing TMD

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement. Millions of Americans suffer from pain in this area, as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

Pain in the jaw area
Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
Frequent headaches or neck aches
Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
Swelling on the sides of the face
Muscle spasms in the jaw area
A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms above, there are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:

Relax your face – remember the rule: “Lips together, teeth apart”
Avoid grinding your teeth
Avoid constant gum chewing
Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder – either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
Practice good posture – keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared
Should you notice any of the symptoms of TMD, give our practice a call. Our team can help identify the presence of TMD, and if necessary, recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

5 Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth!

Tooth sensitivity is common in many of our patients, and can usually be identified by pain or discomfort when consuming foods or beverages that are hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Sensitivity can be felt when brushing or flossing, and can also be experienced after routine dental procedures such as the placement of a filling or crown, tooth restoration, or even teeth cleaning. Such sensitivity is usually temporary; if it does not cease after four to six weeks please consult us.
Tooth sensitivity is often due to the breakdown of tooth enamel or a receding gum line, which can occur from:

Teeth grinding
Tooth Decay
Gum disease
Vigorous brushing
Cracked or chipped teeth
In most instances, tooth sensitivity is treatable. Here are a few remedies you can take advantage of at home:

Try a desensitizing toothpaste which contains chemicals that block sensations like hot and cold from reaching the nerves in your teeth.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that will be gentler on both your teeth and gums.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice every day and flossing once daily.
Switch to a fluoride mouthwash.
When possible, avoid acidic foods such as tea, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Depending on the cause and severity of your sensitivity, you may benefit from professional treatment. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, please be sure to contact us. We can set up an appointment to discuss your unique situation and determine the best way to address the problem.

Go Green for Healthy Teeth and Gums

With origins dating back over 4,000 years, green tea has long been a popular beverage in Asian culture, and is increasingly gaining popularity in the United States. And while ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine believed green tea consumption could cure disease and heal wounds, recent scientific studies are beginning to establish the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, especially in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology, the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption. Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums. The study analyzed the periodontal health of 940 men, and found that those who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health than subjects that consumed less green tea.

“It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits,” said study author Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. “And since many of us enjoy green tea on a regular basis, my colleagues and I were eager to investigate the impact of green tea consumption on periodontal health, especially considering the escalating emphasis on the connection between periodontal health and overall health.”

Male participants aged 49 through 59 were examined on three indicators of periodontal disease: periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue. Researchers observed that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a decrease in all three indicators, therefore signifying a lower instance of periodontal disease in those subjects who regularly drank green tea.

Green tea’s ability to help reduce symptoms of periodontal disease may be due to the presence of the antioxidant catechin. Previous research has demonstrated antioxidants’ ability to reduce inflammation in the body, and the indicators of periodontal disease measured in this study, PD, CAL and BOP, suggest the existence of an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth. By interfering with the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, green tea may actually help promote periodontal health, and ward off further disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and has been associated with the progression of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body,” says Dr. David Cochran, DDS, PhD, President of the AAP and Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. “That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea—something already known to possess certain health-related benefits.”

Considering Braces?

Considering braces? Consider Invisalign, the nearly invisible way to achieve your best smile which has been used by more than one million patients. We are an Invisalign Preferred Provider, which means you can rely on our skills and experience to provide you – and your teeth – with the best possible results.

How Invisalign Straightens Your Teeth

The Invisalign system uses a set of clear aligners that are custom-created for your mouth to reposition and straighten your teeth. These aligners are tailor-made for your teeth and are completely removable, requiring no metal wires or brackets. The aligners work in stages: each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the sequence, moving your teeth exactly according to the prescription we’ve created for you.

What it Means to Work with a Preferred Provider

We’re proud to be an Invisalign Preferred Provider, as designated by Align Technology, the company that created the Invisalign system of treatment. Being a Preferred Provider means that we have successfully completed the advanced training needed to treat patients with Invisalign aligners. We have experience with a wide variety of Invisalign cases, as we regularly treat patients with Invisalign. We also attend ongoing clinical training classes to maintain our qualification as a Preferred Provider.

Please contact us with any questions you have about the Invisalign system, or give us a call to set up a consultation so we can determine if Invisalign is a practical option for you.

What to do when your child has a dental emergency

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, our team stands ready to help. Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions.

Q: What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in milk or saliva. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap, use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact our practice immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit us.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of the closest hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: How can I best prevent a dental injury from happening to my child in the first place?

A: Oral injuries can occur from many activities.

Many oral injuries occur during physical activity such as sports. You can greatly reduce the chance of oral injury by having your child wear a mouth guard. While there are many store-bought varieties available, a custom mouth guards can often provide better protection
Always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone in the car.
Child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects.
Help prevent your child from dental-health related toothaches with regular visits to our practice.
If you have any other questions about dental health and emergencies for your child, please contact our practice!

More than just teeth in your mouth!

Your mouth is made up of more than just teeth, so good oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing. In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum. All of these structures play an important role when it comes to good dental health and are routinely examined when you receive dental care.

The Oral Mucosa

When you open your mouth and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa, which is a mucous membrane similar to the mucous membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears.

The oral mucosa plays an essential role in maintaining your oral health, as well as your overall health, by defending your body from germs and other irritants that enter your mouth. A tough substance called keratin, also found in your fingernails and hair, helps make the oral mucosa resistant to injury.

The Gums

Your gums are the pinkish tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Also covered by oral mucosa, gums play a critical role in your oral health. Healthy gums are firm, cover the entire root of the tooth, and do not bleed when brushed, poked, or prodded. Gum disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss, so taking care of your gums by flossing daily is just as essential to dental care as brushing your teeth.

The Upper and Lower Jaw

Your jaws give your face its shape and your mouth the structure it needs for chewing and speech. Human jaws are made up of several bones: The upper jaw contains two bones that are fused to each other and to the rest of your skull, while the lower jawbone is separate from the rest of the skull, enabling it to move up and down when you speak and chew.

The Tongue

The tongue is a powerful muscle covered in specialized mucosal tissue that includes your taste buds. The tongue is not just important to your oral health — it’s also considered an integral part of the body’s digestive system — it’s responsible for moving food to your teeth, and when chewed food is ready to be swallowed, the tongue moves it to the back of the throat so it can proceed into the esophagus. In babies, the tongue and the jaw work together to enable the infant to breastfeed.Additionally, the tongue plays an essential role in the ability to speak by shaping the sounds that come out of your mouth.

The Salivary Glands

You have three sets of salivary glands in your mouth and neck: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. These glands produce saliva, which contains special enzymes that help break down food, making it easier for you to swallow. Saliva is critical to good oral health, because it protects your teeth and gums by rinsing away food particles and bacteria and by helping to counteract acidic foods that can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth.

The Uvula

The uvula is the small flap of tissue which hangs down at the back of your throat. The uvula is composed of muscle fibers as well as connective and glandular tissues. Like other soft tissue structures in the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa. The uvula has long been a source of curiosity for scientists as all of its functions are not yet fully understood. However, it seems to play some role in speech and in keeping the mouth and throat moist.

The Frenulum Linguae

The frenulum is a flap of oral mucosa that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This tissue allows the tongue to move about as it does its job. If an infant is born with a frenulum that is too short, or not elastic enough, he or she can have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect speech.

The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at the parts of the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Knowing what these structures do and what they look like can help you to maintain optimal oral health.

Pregnancy and Dental Care

Carrying a child affects your entire body — and that goes for your mouth, too.

Since your teeth and gums can be affected by the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, you’ll need to pay special attention to your dental health when you’re pregnant.

In addition, there are a few extra safety measures you will need to be sure are followed when going to the dentist. Here’s how to stay on top of your dental care when you’re expecting.

How Pregnancy Affects Your Dental Health

Problems that women may experience with their teeth and mouth during pregnancy include:

Pregnancy gingivitis. Increased levels of the hormone progesterone can result in gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. This, along with pregnancy-related changes in your immune system, can cause your gums to become red and swollen, and you may experience bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis usually go away after the baby is born.Periodontal disease. Some pregnant women experience a more serious dental condition, called periodontal, or gum disease. Periodontal disease occurs when a bacterial infection develops in pockets below the gum line, which can damage the fibers that hold your teeth in place. Periodontal disease can also affect the health of the baby, since women with periodontal disease are at higher risk of having babies early and with lower birth weights.Pregnancy granuloma. A pregnancy granuloma is a red growth that usually appears along the upper line of your gums. This nodular growth bleeds easily and sometimes crusts over. While these growths are not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and affect the way you speak and eat. Pregnancy granulomas usually occur in the second trimester and affect 2 to 10 percent of pregnant women. They usually go away after the baby is born.Dry mouth. Many pregnant women experience dryness in their mouth caused by a decrease in saliva, which can be brought on by hormonal changes. Dry mouth can increase the risk of many dental problems. Chewing sugarless gum can help.Erosion of tooth enamel. Vomiting due to morning sickness can lead to erosion of the enamel on the back of your front teeth. This is more likely to occur with frequent vomiting over a long period of time. Dental Care During Pregnancy

Since changes in oral health are common during pregnancy, you should pay special attention to dental care while you’re pregnant. To maintain good dental care during pregnancy, follow these guidelines:

Eat a healthful diet. Eating plenty of foods rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins to help support the health of your baby, as well as protect your teeth.Brush regularly. You should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day, making sure you brush for at least two minutes.Don’t forget to floss. Flossing at least one time every day can help prevent or minimize pregnancy gingivitis.Use mouthwash. Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash can help control the bacteria that contribute to gingivitis.Visit your dentist. See your dentist for regular dental care while you’re pregnant. Special Dental Considerations for Pregnant Women

It is important to continue going to the dentist while you’re pregnant and to follow your regular dental care schedule; and there are certain things you need to do to protect the health of your unborn baby:

Tell your dentist you’re pregnant. No matter how far along you are, make sure that your dentist knows you’re pregnant. That way, if X-rays, sedatives, or other medications are being considered, your dentist can weigh their risks to your unborn baby.Avoid major procedures when possible. If you need to have major work performed on your teeth or mouth, it’s best to wait until your baby is born to have these procedures done, if possible. However, if you have periodontal disease, you may benefit from a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing, which cleans the infected areas beneath the gums and around the roots of your teeth.Plan your dental visit carefully. It’s ideal to see your dentist during your second trimester, since your baby is more vulnerable during the first and third trimesters, when major development is occurring (first trimester) and the risk of premature delivery increases (late third trimester).Ask questions. If you have any concerns or questions about the safety of a dental procedure, share them with your dentist. Also, discuss your concerns with your obstetrician-gynecologist or pregnancy health care provider. They can offer reassurance to you that what is being done is safe for your baby.