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What Makes TMD Worse? |
Posted on 10/19/2020 by Ankur Johri |
| The hinge holding the jaw to the skull is known as the temporomandibular joint or the TMJ. It is what provides the jaw the biting motion and allows the chewing motion to take place. Any issues with the muscle structures of the face, which control the TMJ are known as temporomandibular disorders or TMD. Though there is no single cause for TMD, there are contributing factors which seem to worsen the condition. Any patient with arthritis can have significant TMD issues. If a patient continually grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw it can put far too much pressure on the TMJ, resulting in problems. Though it seems obvious trauma to the joint, jaw or even to the head or neck can contribute to TMD. TMD Symptoms There is a great deal of pain associated with most TMD issues. Though the symptoms can be temporary, in most cases they last for years. They affect more women than men and has a higher occurrence in those aged twenty to forty. The most common complaints are pain in the face or jaw joint which is aggravated by speaking or chewing. A popping or clicking sound can occur with movement of the jaw too. There could be swelling along cheeks as well as toothaches, migraines, earaches, and even ringing in the ears. TMD Treatment Options Applying heat and cold can help to alleviate some of the pain by decreasing the swelling. Reduce the amount of hard foods, sticking to softer foods to give the TMJ a break. Taking over-the-counter medications to help with swelling and tension in the jaw can help alleviate some of the symptoms. Wearing a bite guard at night can help too by not letting the teeth grind together. One option which will not help is chewing gum. It can actually aggravate it by overworking the already inflamed TMJ. Those patients needing to discuss possible TMD issues are welcome to visit us, we're here to help!... Read more... |
How to Stop Clenching Your Teeth |
Posted on 10/5/2020 by Ankur Johri |
| Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw can cause a number of potentially serious dental conditions. It wears teeth faster than normal wear does, oftentimes damaging the enamel and soft tissue beneath. It can hurt jaw function as well, causing swelling and dysfunction. Ways to Stop Clenching Your Teeth When patients grind their teeth, they are wearing down the enamel much faster than normal, which in turn, makes them weaker and more likely to develop cavities. One way to stop grinding teeth is to use a mouthguard at night. A mouthguard will keep the upper and lower teeth from touching. There are over-the-counter mouthguards though most patients find they do not fit as comfortably as a custom made one. Another method to stop grinding teeth is to exercise. High levels of stress have been linked to grinding teeth. By exercising, some of the stress will be relieved and the instances of teeth grinding should lessen. While stress is a major contributor to teeth grinding, it is also a cause of muscle tension in the body. One way to minimize this is to try and relax. Taking a long warm bath and using a heating pad to relieve some of the stress. It is also recommended to drink non-caffeinated tea to warm the mouth too. When you feel your jaw clenching, try and massage your jaw muscles. This will not only get those muscles to relax but also tune patients into the cues to practice relaxing. If you notice that you are clenching, take a moment and open your mouth, letting your jaw hang open. By recognizing these signs, patients can teach themselves to relax. Incessant gum chewing or the chewing of pen caps and pencils because this never lets the jaw unclench. By constantly chewing on something it can actually damage the jaw and make patients grind their teeth even more. To learn more about these techniques feel free to contact us.... Read more... |
Does Juice Damage Your Gums or Provide Them with Nutrients? |
Posted on 9/21/2020 by Ankur Johri |
| When it comes to periodontal health, juice is both nutritional and detrimental. For example, citrus juices, which are acidic, and can lead to erosion, tooth decay and gum disease. With that fact in mind, you can still consume juice, but you need to be careful about drinking it. How Juice Supports Gum and Tooth Help? If you drink an acidic juice, such as orange juice or grapefruit juice, it is alright to consume a small amount with your breakfast in the morning, or at one time. Drink water afterwards to rinse the mouth of the acids. Just don't sip on the juice throughout the day and allow the acids to linger. Juice can help your gum and tooth health, as long as you don't overdo it. Also, buying an orange juice, for instance, that is supplemented with calcium can provide an extra layer of protection. Alternatives to Drinking Juice Instead of drinking a fruit juice, you may want to consider eating the fruit, as the juice in the fruit will not wash over the gums and teeth like a concentrated fruit drink. This will lessen the possibility of erosion and cavities, which can affect your gum health. For example, the vitamin C in grapefruits and oranges is good for gum health. Therefore, eating the fruit is a better alternative to drinking the juice. Taking care of your teeth and nutrition is sometimes a balancing act. That is why you need to count on the services of knowledgeable periodontal professionals. If you have not had your gum health checked, now is the time to do so. We can assist you in following a periodontal plan that will include your nutritional requirements and gum and tooth care. Give our professional team a call today for a periodontal screening and exam. When you stay on top of your periodontal care and nutrition, you will experience improvements in other areas of your life as well.... Read more... |