Is your jaw tender and constantly making clicking or popping sounds when you chew? Unfortunately all the above are symptoms of TMJ.
But do you know that there are still some other unknown or unrecognizable symptoms caused by TMJ which are related to vertigo? TMJ is otherwise known as “the great imposter” as it can cause many other symptoms that are completely unrelated to your bite, such as vertigo.
(more…)TMJ or TMD is a sequence of pain, jaw joint problems and muscle spasms that arise when the teeth, chewing muscles, and jaw joints don’t work together harmoniously. TMD refers to the problems with the muscles and joints that join the mandible bone of the jaw to the temporal bone at the base of the skull. Some TMJ symptoms may include headaches, worn out teeth, sore muscles in the face, neck, and shoulder. There are also several chronic diseases that are associated with temporomandibular joint disorder.
(more…)TMJ is the most complex joint in the body with a rigid in point of closure. You can imagine the strain that we put on this joint as we breathe, talk, eat and swallow 2000 times per day. It is no wonder that a certain percentage of the population reports some level of disorder in the TMJ. Bruxing and clenching can lead to headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and dental wear. TMJ can also trigger other chronic diseases.
(more…)If you find yourself constantly clenching your jaw and teeth in anger or in stress, you’re suffering from bruxism. Bruxism is a condition that results from constantly grinding your teeth at night. A high number of bruxism patients clench their teeth during the day as well. Since it is an involuntary action, many patients find it difficult to stop. The stress of constantly clenching and grinding can damage your temporomandibular joints that lead to TMD. Bruxism and TMJ can be a little confusing to identify since they have similar signs and symptoms, so understanding the difference between the two is going to be important.
If you want to correct your jaw pain for a long haul, then you should do these exercises. These TMJ exercises will contract and strengthen your muscles, which will make the changes to put your joint in the right position.
Here are two strengthening exercises:
Make sure you are not pushing too hard since these are gentle stretches for the small joints in your jaw. If you are committed during your TMJ pain treatment, you will feel better with the ease of pain. However, make sure you speak with your dentist in Goodyear, AZ who can make recommendations specific to your case.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint is damaged, it can result in a pain disorder called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
TMD often results in severe discomfort and pain. It either is a temporary or a chronic pain that can affect either one or both sides of your face. The risk factors that contribute to TMJ disorder increase your chances of facial injuries, a misaligned bite, and bruxism amongst other risk factors. In some cases, you may stop experiencing the symptoms of TMD. However, if your symptoms persist, your doctor would recommend you various TMJ treatment options.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider TMJ Treatment to put your pain at rest.
1. Get Rid of Chronic Pain
You don’t need to suffer anymore with chronic pain. Whether it is pain in your jaw, ears or neck, and even chronic migraines, TMJ treatment will alleviate the pain help you live a better life. This means better work efficiency since you no longer need to deal with the pain.
2. Reduce Stiffness in the Jaws
A stiff jaw can make it difficult for you to eat your favorite food. It also makes it difficult for you to get the essential nutrients you require to thrive. Even the simplest of acts like talking and yawning can be absolute torture. TMJ treatment will allow you to enjoy even the most involuntary processes of opening the mouth once again.
3. Relieve Vision Problems
TMJ vision problems may seem like the strangest thing. Your TMJ is connected to nearly everything in your head, neck, and face. TMJ treatments treat the unrevealed cause of vision problems. This alleviates the pain for a long time and improves your vision that aids in carrying out daily activities safely.
4. Get Rid of Clicking and Popping
Opening the mouth too wide when eating or yawning and problems in temporomandibular joints can result in the clicking and popping of the jaw. It can impact your social life and blow out your confidence as a result. The right alignment of the jaws will get rid of the disturbing clicking and popping and restore your confidence.
5. A Good Night’s Sleep
If TMJ disorder is costing you a good night’s sleep, you’re definitely not giving your best shot at completing the day’s tasks. Getting a sound sleep is vital in being more productive.
1. Medication
TMJ disorders can be treated with the help of painkillers depending on the seriousness of the condition. However, it doesn’t stop the condition from worsening, and your doctor may recommend different treatment options.
2. TMJ Exercises
TMJ exercises are great for relieving pain as they take as little as 10 minutes and you can choose to do it at any time of the day. TMJ exercises help in improving the movement of your jaw joints. Jaw exercises are also instrumental in improving your posture. Poor posture can add unnecessary pressure to your face and head that can worsen the disorder.
Here are three simple exercises that allow you to perform them anywhere:
Recovering from TMJ pain may require you to make some changes to your diet. Sticking to soft foods and avoiding sticky or chewy foods should be your priority. Soups and drinkable meals are the perfect picks that will give your jaw some time to heal. If you’re looking for a TMJ specialist in Goodyear, AZ, book an appointment with us today to get a step closer to a healthier jaw.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the most effective tooth replacement procedures and with the help of a skilled and qualified dentist you can easily restore your smile with this safe surgical procedure. Dental implants are made up of titanium that is inserted into the jaw for replacing missing teeth roots. Through a process known as osseointegration, the bone surrounding the teeth grows and gets attached to the implants, thus securing them and making them a permanent part of your natural smile.
Following osseointegration, the dental implants will be attached to artificial teeth (replacement cap/crown) to anchor them to the jawbone or they may be used to anchor dentures or a bridge to the jawbone if a single tooth or multiple teeth are missing.
When are Dental Implants Needed?
Dental implants are needed for different reasons like replacing a single tooth or multiple missing teeth, resolving bite issues and joint pain, and for restoring facial tissues for achieving a natural smile. Dental implants are also the best long-term solution for replacing teeth that are missing due to tooth decay, gum disease, an accident, or a root canal failure.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Are You a Candidate for Dental implants?
In order to have a dental implant, you must be healthy enough to undergo a tooth extraction. You should also have healthy gums and enough bone tissue in your jaw to facilitate the insertion of the anchor. If you meet these qualifications, you can get your dental implants right away. However, even if you have lost bone, you can still get dental implants but before the procedure begins, the bone must be rebuilt.
An Step-by-Step Overview of the Dental Implant Surgical Procedure
The dental implant surgery is carried out in several steps that take place over a timeframe of three to nine months.
Steps of the dental implant surgery
How Safe are Dental Implants and How Long Do They Last?
Dental implants are considered a completely safe tooth replacement procedure for patients who are in good overall and oral health and meet the eligibility criteria prior to undergoing this cosmetic dentistry procedure. When the surgery is performed by a qualified and experienced oral surgeon, dental implants are extremely successful. They typically last for several years once they have successfully fused to the bone. Many patients have had dental implants for well over 40 years.
Are Dental Implants Costly?
The cost of dental implants depends on the work involved. For example, dental implants that will be used for fixing bridgework are more expensive than those used for replacing missing teeth. However, implants are more cost-effective over time as they do not need special care or replacement.
Is the Surgical Procedure Painful?
No. The procedure is not painful because a local anesthesia is administered prior to the procedure.
What to Expect Post Dental Implant Surgery?
Whether your dental implants were placed in one stage or the entire procedure required multiple dental visits, you may experience some discomfort due to the swelling of your gums, pain at the implant site, minor bleeding and bruising of your skin.
If the pain, swelling or discomfort gets worse after the dental implant surgery, immediately contact your oral surgeon as you may need medications.
After every stage of the surgical procedure, you should only eat soft foods to facilitate faster recovery of the surgical site. While most dental implant surgeries are successful, sometimes the bone fails to fuse completely due to which the implant needs to be removed. After the bone is cleaned, the procedure is performed again in two to three months.
Dietary Dos and Don’ts After Getting Dental Implants
Recovering from a dental implant surgery is a process that requires you to take a few precautions especially when it comes to your diet and hygiene. This enables the dental implants to fuse with the bone tissue and ensures proper support and stability for implants. Generally, a soft diet is recommended for five to seven days to ensure that the bone tissue and gums heal properly and quickly.
Even then, your soft food diet should factor in the needs of your body like energy and nutrients. You can speak to your dentist for advice on a variety of foods that you can eat. If you are not sure about where to start, here are some food choices/dietary recommendations as well as restrictions you can follow after a dental implant surgery.
In summary, the recovery period for surgical procedure should be supported by eating the right foods that will not interfere with the process of integration into the gums or even give rise to wounds or gum disease. Thus, you must choose your meals wisely.
How to Maintain Your Dental Implants?
Dental implants can develop problems in the absence of consistent oral care. The earliest sign of an underlying problem is bleeding which eventually progresses to bone loss. This is why the importance of oral care cannot be understated. Restored dental implants should be free from plaque and for this your oral hygiene aids should include a soft toothbrush, a low-abrasive toothpaste and dental floss for thorough cleaning around the abutments. You can also include an antimicrobial mouth rinse and disclosing tablets that stain the area where plaque has accumulated. Your dental implants must be examined annually with an x-ray for the first 3 years following the surgical procedure so you can keep them for life.
For more information on caring for your tooth implant, make an appointment with the best dentist in Goodyear AZ at Joshua Hong DDS.
As the name implies, your root canal is located in the roots of your teeth and when a tooth becomes infected with harmful bacteria, a root canal treatment is needed to remove the decay from deep down the roots. The root canal procedure is performed by an endodontist in order to repair and preserve the tooth while preventing further damage to the structure of the infected tooth.
The dental pulp inside the root canal can be infected due to untreated tooth decay, a cracked or chipped tooth, due to repeated dental procedures, faulty crowns, or due to the trauma caused by an accidental fall.
The signs of damage include pain and sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages, a painful bite, and loosening of the tooth. If left untreated, the damaged dental pulp can completely destroy the oral nerves resulting in swollen gums, pus oozing from the infected tooth and tooth discoloration.
So, if you experience any of these symptoms, rush to your nearest endodontist in Goodyear, AZ for a successful root canal treatment that saves your smile before it is too late.
This procedure is considered to be the best alternative to extraction and dental implant. As the name suggests, root canal entails cleaning canals that are inside the roots of the tooth. Here is a step by step guide to root canal procedure:
Once all of the above procedures are completed successfully, antibiotics may be prescribed for the treatment or prevention of infections. It is also very important to ensure that you follow all the instructions from your endodontist.
While a root canal procedure is a straightforward process that offers an excellent outcome, the patient needs to follow a few aftercare measures for faster recovery, sustainable results and to ensure long-term health of the treated tooth.
The primary cause of a root canal infection is decay that gradually penetrates the enamel and then the dentin. So, if you want to reduce the risk of a root canal infection, you need to:
If you are considering getting a root canal done, you will do well to get in touch with Dr. Joshua Hong DDS who is qualified, experienced and the best dentist in Arizona for root canal treatment. Having performed hundreds of dental restoration procedures, you can be sure to get permanent restoration for your tooth either through a crown or dental filling. Call 623.925.8822 to book an appointment with your nearest endodontist in Goodyear, AZ.
Regular brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth healthy and bright but if you still feel that your smile lacks the sparkle, you can opt for professional teeth whitening and bring back your smile’s former charm.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a quick and effective technique that safely brightens your smile and boosts your confidence. This cosmetic dentistry procedure efficiently lightens the stains and discoloration caused by coffee, tea, soda, tobacco, certain medications, radiation, chemotherapy, and aging. You can also whiten your teeth at home using over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments but if you are looking for better results that last longer, you can visit a teeth whitening dentist in Goodyear, AZ and know your treatment options.
What Causes Teeth Stains and Discoloration?
Your teeth can go from bright and white to yellow and stained for several reasons. Food and drinks containing intense color pigments are major culprits. Excessive use of tobacco also discolors the tooth enamel, leaving behind stubborn stains. With age, the outer enamel of your teeth turns thinner with brushing, exposing the yellow dentin. Trauma and medications are also known to change the color of your teeth over time.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
An ideal candidate for professional teeth whitening has healthy teeth and gum tissues without any restorations or fillings. However, teeth whitening is not suitable for pregnant women, lactating mothers, people with dental implants and dental bridges, children who are under 16 years of age, people suffering from cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, sensitivity, and those who are allergic to bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
How Does This Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure Work?
Professional teeth whitening is a simple outpatient cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses bleaching agent to break stains into smaller fragments, making the discoloration less concentrated, leaving your teeth brighter than before. If you want to know more about other teeth whitening alternatives, you can talk to a teeth whitening dentist in Goodyear, AZ and determine which treatment will give you the best results.
What are the Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening?
If you want to achieve that flawless selfie-worthy smile, you can consider professional teeth whitening treatment and enjoy the following benefits:
What are the Different Types of Teeth Whitening Methods?
Be sure to consult the best dentist in Arizona to know if you are a candidate for teeth whitening. If you are, there are 3 main types of teeth whitening treatments available:
Does Teeth Whitening Have Any Side Effects?
A professional teeth whitening procedure is considered much safer because your treatment is custom-tailored for the best results and you have an experienced teeth whitening dentist performing the procedure. Your treatment is being constantly monitored every step of the way to ensure complete safety and efficacy. However, some people may experience minor discomfort and tooth sensitivity following the procedure but, this is a temporary effect of peroxide.
How Long Do the Results of Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
The effects of professional teeth whitening typically last up to 3 years but this varies from patient to patient depending on your oral habits and individual circumstances. The results will also be affected by your intake of tobacco, tea, coffee, cola or red wine.
How to Take Care of Teeth after Professional Teeth Whitening for Long-lasting Results?
If you want your new whiter, brighter smile to last longer, you would need to:
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that attacks the brain. It causes problems with memory, diminishes mental and cognitive abilities and behavior with enough significance to effect the daily functioning. The symptoms increase progressively with aging over several years, with people generally living eight years after the onset and longer if they are in good health.
Here are some must-know facts about the Alzheimer’s disease:
Even the best dentist in Arizona would agree that inadequate oral health can be a factor for declining cognitive ability of the brain. Let’s see how.
If someone wears dentures, they harbor high amounts of oral candida which causes denture stomatitis — an inflammatory condition of the mucosa. Research shows that because of denture stomatitis, a systemic fungal infection occurs, which has been recently reported in Alzheimer’s patients.
During the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the dental care mainly focuses on prevention. One of the basic prevention steps is getting routine oral hygiene check ups and dental cleaning. Regular flossing also helps in preventing the need for extensive procedures later on, which can be difficult for a person suffering from dementia to tolerate.
Gently remind the person suffering from Alzheimer’s how to brush if they have forgotten, in a step-by-step manner. You can even demonstrate if they cannot follow verbal instructions.
Ensure they keep their mouth healthy. If they cannot do it on their own, brush the person’s teeth and gums gently. If they wear dentures, rinse them with plain water after meals and brush them daily to remove food particles.
Be aware of any mouth pain or discomfort they might feel while eating or doing any other activity.
The primary role of the doctors is to help the patients and caregivers manage and understand the disease and help them remain independent for as long as possible. It is important that the doctors exercise increased patience and understanding. They must use simple language while explaining and use a gentle approach when talking to the patients.
Write down clear instructions and treatment requirements for the caregivers. Educate both the patients and care-givers about good dental health practices. Inform them of the tools they can use. Emphasize the importance of regular checkups and identifying small signs that may indicate a progression in either oral health or Alzheimers. Lastly, it is important to remind the families and caretakers that patients will have good days and bad, and they need to be extremely patient during the bad days.
Get your loved ones checked for good dental hygiene at Goodyear dentist, AZ as a part of their regular health check up.
Spring is coming and it’s the best time for you to clean out your home thoroughly and get rid of all the clutter and cobwebs and set the tone for the rest of the year. But what of your smile? Regular brushing, flossing and cleanings with your dentist should be an important part of your spring routine. It is best to have an annual dental checkup done along with a dental cleaning which can affect the quality of your dental health.
