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When Your Child Should Get Braces

October 30, 2020 by doctor

Some people tend to suffer from different issues in their teeth like overcrowding, problems of space in their mouth that will cause pain and difficulty to eat or even talk, as well as increasing the risk of infection due to an irregular position of the teeth.

Teenagers, as well as adults, can use braces without any problem since this overcrowding situation can be fixed at almost every age, however, it would be better to act as soon as possible to avoid losing more space inside your mouth which can cause issues in your gums, jawbone and healthy teeth. There are also different types of braces.

How to Prepare for Braces Installation Procedure:

Before even thinking of performing the procedure, your local dentist or oral surgeon will ask you some questions and also he or she will recommend you to perform some general test to see if everything is good with your health at the point where a procedure like this could be performed without suffering from secondary effects or post-surgery issues. If you need help to determine whether braces are good for you or not, please visit the people over at Town Center Dentistry & Orthodontics.

For beginners, it will be better to take a medical and physical exam to check your current status and to discard anything that could interfere with the bracing procedure, digital scans of your face, teeth, some x-rays in your jawbone, and things like that will be pretty much needed to know how bad is your current situation to know how to prepare a plan for your surgery.

Benefits of Using Braces:

Using braces when you have overcrowding issues should be a must since it’s one of the best ways to solve this general and annoying situation that could develop into more dangerous problems if you don’t take any measures.

However, this is not only about your health but also for the style that is something important in this modern society where your look will speak for yourself in most situations, and with a broken smile or overcrowding mouth, people could think bad things about you, for that reason, let’s discover the general benefits of braces right now.

  • You will not suffer from any problem while chewing or consuming food.
  • Now it will be possible to make public speeches or even talk with someone without worrying about showing your overcrowded teeth that could be something to be ashamed of, but not now since braces will fix everything for you.
  • Dental hygiene will be easier since now your teeth will be in the right position and you won’t have any excuse to forget to clean, brush, or check your teeth.
  • The risk of suffering from cavities and periodontal diseases is greatly decreased since with the braces operation or procedure a lot of things will be check to make sure that you are fit for the procedure, which means that if they found something like those diseases then you will need to experience a treatment for them before starting with the braces installation.
  • You can take a lot of photos smiling without being ashamed of a broken smile, braces will be perfect to fix your self-esteem and confidence.
  • Finally, it reduces the risk of suffering from serious injuries or infection from protruding teeth that can be caused by things like overcrowding.

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Learn About TMJ

June 7, 2020 by doctor

TMJ is the short form of the temporomandibular joint. TMJ syndrome is the physical malfunction of the jaw muscles and nerves. This disorder is mainly caused by inflammation or injury to the temporomandibular joint. The joint connecting the skull and jawbone is known as the temporomandibular joint. An inflamed or injured TMJ leads to pain with clicking, chewing, popping, and crackling of the jaw. Also, it may lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction, tooth grinding, migraines, and dislocation of the TMJ. Tmj syndrome can also be termed as a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome

  • Jaw pain
  • Headache
  • Popping sounds in ears
  • Ear pain
  • Locking, especially on the jaw joint
  • Sore or stiff jaw muscles
  • Jaw popping and clicking
  • Temple area pain

Risk Factors of TMJ

Below are the key risk factors that lead to TMJ syndrome:

  • Jaw injury
  • Chronic clenching or grinding of teeth
  • Different types of arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Connective tissue illnesses, especially that may impact the Baton Rouge TMJ.

Leading Causes of TMJ Disorder

Scientific research is underway to identify the main causes of the temporomandibular syndrome. There are various factors that contribute to dysfunction and muscle tightness that characterizes TMJ. Some of these causes may include jaw misalignment, teeth trauma, poor posture, inflammatory disorders, stress, anxiety, orthodontic braces, and gum chewing.

Temporomandibular Preventive Measures

  1. Physical Therapy and Chiropractic

The right chiropractor will have the ability to align your facial bones and neck with relieving TMJ pressure and stress. There is enough research showing that a chiropractic appointment or physical therapy may effectively work on TMJ trigger points. It’s, therefore, important to note that not all TMJ disorders can be healed by a chiropractor.

  1. Mouth Guards

The best mouth guards should have the ability to minimize night clenching and grinding. It’s important to use s, prescribed mouth guard. The right mouth guard will gently correct a bite or jaw that’s out of alignment. Malocclusion or bad bite where the upper teeth and lower teeth do not align properly can lead to the temporomandibular joint syndrome. Perfect alignment of the jaw can help heal and restore strained muscles that lead to TMJ pain and inflammation. There are various types of mouth guards: night mouth guards are normally worn during the night to maintain proper teeth alignment and other mouth guards worn during physical activities or sports.

  1. Temporomandibular Medication

Recently, there are three main types of TMJ disorder: anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, and steroids. Also, tricyclic antidepressants such as desipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin can heal TMJ syndrome. It’s a great idea to consult your physician for the best prescription.

Home Remedies for Temporomandibular Disorder

There is a high probability that you can treat mild TMJ disorder with the right remedies. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms of TMJ, it’s a great idea to seek medical attention. Below are essential home remedies that can help you treat mild TMJ syndrome:

a.) Cold Compresses

Use ice packs or cold compresses on the impacted areas for at least ten minutes. This is key in reducing TMJ symptoms of swelling and inflammation.

b.) Meditation and Yoga

Meditation and yoga are essentials in facilitating deep relaxation and healing. In addition, specialists have recommended other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and guided imagery. These techniques have shown promising results in reducing anxiety and stress linked to the temporomandibular disorder.

c.) Self-massage

It’s a great idea to hire a professional therapist if you lack the essential skills of massage. Massaging the neck, jaw, and temples can reduce stress and relax the muscles contributing to this syndrome. Use essential and quality oils during the massage session to improve the healing process.

d.) Avoid hard foods

Hard foods such as hard candies and nuts can strain the jaw muscles while chewing. Lifestyle changes should be emphasized, such as avoiding chewing gums and reducing chewy foods in the diet. Soft foods are essential because they help your jaw relax, thus relieving TMJ pains.

e.) TMJ exercises

Temporomandibular exercises include goldfish exercises, relaxed jaw exercise, chin tucks, resisted opening and closing of the mouth, tongue up exercise, forward jaw movement, and side to side jaw movement.

Conclusion

Above is a piece of comprehensive information about what you should know about TMJ syndrome.

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How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth

June 6, 2020 by doctor

When you consume a sip of a cool drink, hot coffee, or had a cold shake, you might have felt pain or discomfort hitting your gums. With each sip, instead of enjoying the flavor, you might have felt an ache or throb in your mouth. These symptoms are a sign of sensitive teeth. But do not worry, it is treatable.

Cause of sensitive teeth

The causes of distress are numerous. Let us understand what causes sensitivity. Gums are shielded by a gum tissue called dentin. Dentin comprises numerous tubules (or even tubes), each one of which is linked to a nerve ending. When the tubules remain unprotected by periodontal recession or teeth enamel abrasion, teeth sensitivity arises.

Receding gums, tooth grinding, a diet plan loaded with acidic drinks, and overaggressive brushing may all result in uncovering dentin. Enamel coating deteriorates with harsh brushing strokes resulting in an exposed dentin tubule. Anything that comes in contact with the exposed tubule-hot, cool, smooth, or hard, will cause discomfort and pain.

Highly acidic drinks may intensify enamel abrasion as well as discomfort. Dentin may aggravate with too much use of tooth-whitening elements. These elements contain harmful components to take off the teeth stains. They result in thinning of the enameled surface layer around dentin, exposing the sensitive tubules.

How to deal with sensitive teeth?

The discomfort of sensitive teeth may be handled with a couple of easy steps:

Toothpaste and its make

Certain kinds of toothpaste enhance the level of sensitivity in the teeth like tartar-control toothpaste and whitening toothpaste. Tartar control toothpaste has sodium pyrophosphate and whitening toothpaste lightens up your teeth by getting rid of stains from the enameled surface. Both of them harm the dentin. Change your toothpaste that is specific for sensitive teeth. You will observe its benefits very quickly once you begin using them.

Ease off on the teeth

Stay away from using hard-bristled toothbrushes that harm your gums. Do not brush the teeth very intensely that result in wearing down the tooth’s source surface. They reveal susceptible spots. Over and intense brushing can be noted by squashed bristles that point in numerous directions. This implies that you are placing an excessive amount of stress on the teeth.

Omit the marinara sauce

Certain beverages and intensify sensitive teeth. Stay away from them. Restrict acidic items and sodas. A food or a drink with an excellent concentration of tomatoes, oranges, or even lemons is considered acidic.

Avoid tooth grinding

Some people tend to grind their teeth often. Milling the teeth may wear down the enameled surface, although it’s the most powerful substance within your body. This results in uncovering the dentin which is the core coating of the tooth. The hollow pipes (tubules) that hold the nerves are impacted. Speak with the dentist regarding finding an oral guard that will prevent you from milling. An oral guard will help you match your bite.

Think if you a mouthwash junkie

As with whitening toothpaste, certain over-the-counter mouthwashes/rinses comprise of alcohol along with other chemicals. They make your teeth a lot more sensitive – particularly if the dentin’s uncovered. Making use of neutral fluoride rinses or avoiding the mouth rinse can be fetching. Consider brushing every day and flossing as required.

If you have a gum illness

Receding gums that are typical with age or by improper dental care can cause sensitive teeth. You may need a dental check-up. If gum illness or gingivitis is the issue, a dental professional might recommend a technique to cover your teeth. This will help in dealing with gum illness.

Too much of plaque

You brush and floss to eliminate plaque. Plaque accumulation can cause the enameled surface to wear away. This way, your teeth may become a lot more susceptible as they lose their enameled surface defense. By exercising high-quality dental care daily and by going to a Mechanicsville VA Dentist for regular cleaning can prevent plaque and sensitive teeth.

Undergone Dental treatment

Teeth become susceptible to dental treatments such as Fluoride treatment, Desensitizing or bonding, Root canal, surgical gum graft, and so on. Refer to a dentist for proper post-treatment care and to check if the sensitivity is due to an infection.

Cracked tooth or decay

A chipped or even cracked tooth can result in the sensitivity of teeth. Decay can occur due to filling or cavities. Get a dental check-up to get the proper care.

Bottom line

The above points with the help you deal with sensitive teeth based on the cause. For severe sensitive teeth, get in touch with a dental professional.

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General vs. Cosmetic Dentistry

May 21, 2020 by doctor

Most people on the planet wish they had heeded their mothers and dentists advice as children to brush regularly and take extremely good care of their teeth. Unfortunately, hearing and listening are two different things and the majority of us need a wake up call from a painful cavity or even finding out that we need a root canal because we have neglected good advice for too long.

However, some people really do go above and beyond to have healthy teeth and will also visit the dentist a few times a year even when it is unnecessary. “Why is that?” you may ask. Well the answer is extremely simple: cosmetic dentistry. You may be familiar with general dentistry as it usually comes in response to some sort of painful stimulus or loss of functionality. However, cosmetic dentistry is different as it focuses primarily on the aesthetics of your teeth. It’s purpose is to give you that Hollywood smile. Today we will discuss how these two practices are inexplicably linked, how they are different and how they are similar.

Where They Meet

The two types of dentistry are not always at odds with one another. While general dentistry may focus on functionality it would be naive to assume that it does not take cosmetics into consideration. Take for example one of the most common procedures in the field of dentistry: the filling. Should your tooth acquire a cavity that is too large your dentist in Williamsburg may suggest that the cavity be removed and your tooth be filled. There are a number of different fillings available each with its individual drawbacks and benefits.

Some commonly used fillings include gold, silver and amalgam (a metallic composite material). Amalgam is probably the most commonly type of filling as their is a large amount of research in support of it. While all of these options are durable enough to be used as a long-term solution for fillings they can be extremely noticeable when you laugh or smile as their dark color is diametrically opposed to the natural tint of your teeth.

However, if you have the right dental plan you may be in luck! There are also other types of fillings such as ceramic or special composites that are designed to match the color of your teeth. People who have the ability may opt for these fillings because they receive the best of both worlds, aesthetics and functionality. This is a great example that general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry do not have to be polar opposites but can sometimes act as a unit for the sake of the patient.

Where They Diverge

One of the arguably most popular treatments of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. Many people desire to have the kind of smile that are often flaunted by celebrities or toothpaste commercials. However, it is often misunderstood that the teeth whitening process is actually more of a stain removal treatment. During this a bleaching gel is used to gain entry to the pores of the teeth before an active agent is administered to remove any existing stains. Leaving you with the natural color of your teeth rather than a pure white smile.

While usually considered safe by most dentists, it is worth noting that there can be some risks and complications involved with the procedure. As the bleaching agent is used to actively open up pores on the teeth the protective layer of a tooth may be slightly impaired. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and in some severe cases damage to the root of the tooth. In this way cosmetic and general dentistry diverge extremely as the latter is implemented usually to treat things such as damage to roots or hyper-sensitivity while the other can passively cause it.

What This Means

It is not possible to say that just general dentistry is necessary for a persons well-being. The aesthetics of teeth have a large amount of psychological impact on people and having teeth that are ill-colored or even missing can cause a negative spiral in terms of a persons mental health. According to the FHDC around 70% of people with bad teeth say that it impacts their mental health negatively, affirming the previous statement. Therefore cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry, rather than being polar opposites, are two sides of the same coin that can work in unison to enable people to feel happy, healthy and confident.

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Orthodontist vs. Dentist

August 15, 2018 by doctor

Often you might have come across these terms when talking about dentists and dental health. But have you ever thought how a dentist is different from an Orthodontist? Dentistry is, in fact, a broad medical term that involves the teeth, the jaw, the gums and the nerves in the mouth. Orthodontics is a specialization within dentistry focusing more on the correction of bites, straightness, and gaps in between your teeth.

The difference is in the specializations. While a dentist is specialized more into the care and upkeep of the teeth, jaw, gums and the nerves of the mouth, Orthodontists are more into the structural aspects of your teeth. In this article, we will help you understand how a dentist is different from an Orthodontist in terms of their work and area of expertise.

Let’s find out more about the distinguishing factors between an Orthodontist and a Dentist.

Differences in Training

The initial training to become a specialist in dentistry is the same for all students wanting to be a part of the dental medical world. That means someone interested in becoming a dentist, first has to complete a four years undergraduate course to become a dentist. After the completion of the course, they will have to pass a written exam and an exam to obtain the license. Only after the completion of the course and once the license is obtained is when a dentist qualifies to start practice. Once you are qualified you are called a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). So that’s about a Dentist.

However, orthodontics is a step ahead of a general dentist. A general dentist can opt for a specialization course such as Orthodontics which requires further training. Around 6 percent of dentists worldwide are orthodontists. Orthodontic training is beyond general dental science and is about more focus on specific issues and problems of the patients which are beyond the scope of general dentistry. The additional training involves a few years of residency and more than 4,800 hours of specialized orthodontic training.

Now let’s have a look at what the Dentists and Orthodontists do and their areas of expertise.

Dentists and their Areas of Expertise

So what does your dentist do? Basically, your dentist takes care of your overall dental health. They are your go-to people for any basic dental problems such as cavities, mild gum issues, regular checkups, and other oral hygiene issues. And if there are teeth that cannot be saved, they help in the extraction of such teeth as well. Dentists also help in the improvement of the functioning and appearance of your teeth. They are responsible for fixing the crowns, to your teeth or helping restore your teeth that are severely decayed.

It is the dentist who conducts a regular check-up of your mouth for detecting signs of any oral diseases and maintaining impeccable oral health for you. And if your dentist spots any problem they are not able to handle they rightly refer you to dental specialists or an expert physician qualified enough to treat any such conditions.

The Work Area of Orthodontists

Orthodontists, on the other hand, are specialists who deal with the structural aspects of your teeth. This implies they are more into taking care of your teeth misalignments and your jaw structures. That is the reason you will often see the orthodontists treating conditions such as open bites, crowded teeth, teeth sticking out and misaligned jaws.

Orthodontists are equipped with many tools to ensure they move the teeth and jaws into perfect alignment. They make use of many appliances to get your teeth in place and looking beautiful. These appliances include braces, clear aligners, among other things. Since alignment issues can be different for different patients, an orthodontist would make use of X-rays and photos of the teeth to create personalized treatment plans.

How to know whom to Visit?

In many cases, you would find that the orthodontists are also providing services that a dentist provides, like New Horizons Dental. That’s because an orthodontist is also trained as a dentist and is well versed in general dental issues. Some dentists are also permitted to offer some treatments that need orthodontic specialization however in most cases if there is an issue with the structure of your teeth, you will need to visit an orthodontist.

So, how do you know whom to call? For general toothaches and cavities, you might have to see a dentist for initial diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will examine your teeth and if he is qualified to treat your problem they will start with your treatment plan. If however the issue diagnosed falls out of their expertise, they will refer you to a specialist who can be an orthodontist as well.

You will have to see an orthodontist only in case of a structural issue and for the duration of the time, you are getting treated for that condition. However, you might have to keep visiting your dentist for a lifetime. For it is the dentist, who is your first line of defense and protection of your teeth. It is the dentist who will recommend care and prevention advice to you and it is the dentist who will treat all your gum relation infections and other periodontal diseases. It is your dentist who conducts that notorious root canal surgery. So, you better love your dentist and your orthodontist alike!!

Conclusion

While the words dentist’ and orthodontist’ are often used interchangeably, as we saw they are quite different in terms of their work and expertise. While you may visit an orthodontist for basic dental care, they are specialists who deal only with structural issues with your teeth like bites and misalignments.

So next time when you visit a dental care center for a routine check-up, he would probably be a general dentist expert in your basic oral health care and hygiene. If however you get detected with a condition that needs alignment of teeth, you might be visiting an orthodontist.

Either way, stay assured your smile and your teeth are in safe hands!

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Recent Posts

  • When Your Child Should Get Braces
  • Learn About TMJ
  • How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth
  • General vs. Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Orthodontist vs. Dentist

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