6 Common Dental Mistakes and How Regular Checkups Can Help

November 23, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Oral Health — tntadmin @ 5:46 am

As children, we all learn the importance of caring for our teeth correctly, but often get sidetracked from our oral care routine as adults.

Here are the 6 common dental mistakes that most people make:

  1. Infrequent Brushing – Brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, removes food particles and prevents cavities. If you skip brushing your teeth even once, you face the risk of plaque or bacterial buildup and developing a dental cavity, so stick to your routine!
  2. Not Flossing Daily – Your toothbrush can only do so much when it comes to teeth cleaning, since it can’t reach into the gaps between teeth very effectively. To prevent gum disease and tooth decay, use dental floss at least once a day to dislodge food particles and plaque from your teeth and along your gum line.
  3. Brushing Incorrectly – Not only do you need to brush regularly, but also do it right. The wrong tooth brushing technique can lead to areas of the mouth being missed, while brushing for too long or not long enough also causes problems. Use small circular motions and avoid brushing too vigorously or skimming over the tooth surface.
  4. Using the Wrong Tools – If you’re using the wrong toothbrush for teeth cleaning or one that’s too old, it won’t be effective. Use small-headed brushes with soft bristles and change them when they start fraying. Avoid picking at your teeth with fingernails or toothpicks, and use good quality dental floss as well.
  5. Poor Diet & Nutrition – We all know that foods containing sugar are bad for teeth, but other foods could also cause tooth decay or tooth sensitivity. Avoid sweet, sticky, sour or hard foods and drinks. Make sure you drink lots of water and eat fresh fruits or veggies, which clean your teeth along with giving you essential nutrients.
  6. Irregular Dental Visits – Most of us tend to schedule a dental checkup only when we face issues, but prevention is far better than cure. A thorough examination can help with early diagnosis and treatment of dental problems, before they get serious. Visiting the dentist at least twice a year helps to keep your teeth and gums in top shape.

Even if you follow a strict oral hygiene and dental care routine, don’t skip your bi-annual dental checkup. Doing so can have a serious impact on your oral health!

Why Are Regular Dental Visits So Important?

Here are the top 4 reasons why you should visit the dentist regularly:

  1. Detection of Oral Cancer – Oral cancer can be life-threatening if it isn’t diagnosed and treated in time. Dental professionals are trained to spot early signs and halt the progress of this disease. A dental checkup could save your life!
  2. Detection of Gum Disease – Tooth decay can also cause inflammation, bleeding, soreness and swelling in gum tissue. Gum disease or gingivitis is the leading cause of tooth loss, and may need intensive dental treatment if it goes too far.
  3. Prevention of Tooth Decay – Despite daily brushing and flossing, you may still end up with plaque and tartar buildup. This can lead to a tooth cavity or other issues, but professional teeth cleaning can remove even hard tartar.
  4. Help with Bad Habits – Dentists can help you overcome lifestyle or dietary habits that are harmful for teeth and gums, such as smoking or biting your nails. This isn’t just good for your dental health, but your general wellness too.

So, what are you waiting for? Schedule your six-monthly appointment with Dr. Joshua Hong’s clinic today!

The Strange Connection between TMJ Disorder, Stress, Anxiety & Depression

November 9, 2017

Filed under: Blog,TMJ Treatment — tntadmin @ 10:45 am

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known simply as TMJ or TMD, is a condition that affects the hinge or joint connecting the upper and lower jaw. Chronic pain and other issues are common when this joint is not working as it should. People who suffer from this disorder often face depression, anxiety and stress as well.

Here’s what the research says about TMJ anxiety:

  • A 2002 study by the National University of Singapore found that people with myofascial joint pain had higher levels of depression than those with only disk displacements.
  • An International Journal of Prosthodontics study from 2006 found that patients with TMD had higher levels of depression, and psychological factors play a role.
  • According to a Journal of Pain article from 2013 (based on a German research study), there is a moderate to strong link between depression and TMJ disorder.

What is the relation between stress and TMJ?

Severe teeth grinding or Bruxism can cause chronic pain which can lead to chemical changes in the brain whihch is why TMJ pain often turns to TMJ stress and TMJ depression. It’s harder for people dealing with chronic pain to handle changes in their environment, daily tasks and more. This can lead to TMJ anxiety or depression, even if there’s no direct cause-and-effect relationship linking these conditions.

How do TMJ symptoms cause or increase anxiety?

  1. Dizziness– TMJ affects blood vessels and nerves that go through the back of your jaw, and this can lead to neurological symptoms such as dizziness. This often happens suddenly and with no warning, causing significant amounts of anxiety or stress.
  2. Headaches– TMJ can cause morning headaches in many cases, which affects the way you start your day. In addition to the discomfort caused by TMJ or TMD headaches, studies suggest that starting your day on the wrong note raises anxiety levels as well.
  3. Chronic Pain– A common symptom of TMJ disorder is frequent and consistent pain in the jaw, temples or other parts of the face. Research shows that chronic pain, caused by your body’s attempt to deal with constant stress, could be a trigger for anxiety.
  4. Clicking Jaw– Temporomandibular joint disorder often causes a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, which can lead to emotional distress if you don’t know what it is. You may also be blinking too often, which can be disturbing and even frightening.
  5. Tinnitus– Most people tune out the “ringing” sound in their ear, but this becomes more difficult to do if it’s loud or constant. Tinnitus caused by TMJ can lead to loss of sleep, distraction and anxiety, even though we don’t yet understand why this happens.
  6. Other TMJ Symptoms– Since TMD disorder affects nerves, it can lead to various other neurological symptoms linked to anxiety. Examples include involuntary muscle movements, numbness in limbs, tingling in extremities, and even impaired thinking.

TMJ can make existing symptoms of these conditions worse. Chronic pain and inflammation have been known to trigger anxiety-like symptoms in many cases, and other TMJ symptoms may also lead to increased stress, depression and anxiety.

How reducing stress can help you ease your TMJ symptoms?

When you are stressed, your muscles including those in your temporomandibular joint or TMJ get tight and sore. Your muscles stay overworked and cause pain and stiffness. Similarly, if you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, it affects your routine activities and can induce stress. This creates a cycle between TMJ and stress.

The key here is to make efforts to reduce stress or completely eliminate it. Consult a TMJ specialist to learn about what type of TMJ pain treatment techniques can help your case. Similarly, if you are grinding your teeth or are experiencing other symptoms of TMJ, consult a TMJ specialist who can help you relax your muscles, protect your teeth and address other TMJ symptoms.

How to relieve TMJ pain due to stress?

Here are a few effective ways to ease or relieve TMJ pain due to stress:

  • Exercise, meditation, laughing out loud, getting some fresh air, etc., can help you handle stress effectively.
  • Simple, quick stress relief practices such as breathing exercises, calming aroma therapy, relaxing your jaw if you notice yourself clenching it etc., can help you ease TMJ pain.
  • Get a massage therapist to massage your jaw muscles. The advantage of this treatment is that it can prove beneficial in addressing both physical and physiological aspects of the pain.
  • Ask a TMJ specialist to fit you with a mouthguard since it hinders teeth grinding and protects the teeth.

 If you’re suffering from temporomandibular disorder and anxiety, stress or depression, it’s a good idea to seek treatment. Controlling your TMJ symptoms can help reduce other secondary symptoms as well. Even if the disorder isn’t actually the main cause of your anxiety or depression, it can make these issues worse.
You may need to seek medical advice for severe anxiety or depression, but an experienced dentist can help you with TMJ treatment. If you think TMD is causing stress or making existing issues worse, visit Dr. Joshua Hong’s clinic in Goodyear AZ for evaluation and treatment today!