Dealing with TMD

TMD, short for temporomandibular disorders, is a blanket term which implies you have an existing problem with your jaw. Specifically, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The problem could range anywhere from jaw pain to a complete lack of motion in the jaw. While TMD is common, dentists cannot determine a root cause of the disorder. It seems most likely, however, that it arises due to jaw muscles malfunctioning.
If you have pain or tenderness in your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders – especially when you open your mouth – you could have TMD.

Other symptoms include a clicking or popping sound when opening your mouth; a jaw that likes to lock in place; a feeling of misaligned teeth; swelling in the jaw; muscle fatigue.
If you have any combination of these symptoms, never hesitate to contact your friendly Valencia dentist. Many tests are available to help diagnose your TMD and bring you closer to a treatment. Your dentist will carefully examine your temporomandibular joint for anything out of the ordinary. They may also take X-rays for a closer look at what is happening inside. Once they rule out other possible causes, they may recommend some of many treatments.

Alternating between ice and heat combined with simple stretches will help ease the pain of TMD. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also an easy solution for dealing with pain and tenderness. Taking smaller bites and eating softer foods can help ease the stress on your TMJ. And if all else fails, laser therapy can help reduce inflammation.

If you have any questions or concerns about TMD, stop by to see your friendly Valencia dentist. They can work closely with you to ensure you are receiving the best treatment possible. They can also refer you to a physical therapist, or even a surgeon if more conventional treatments do not work.

The Tongue: Your Body’s Roadmap to Health

It may often be overlooked, but your tongue can actually clue in your dentist to potentially serious health risks down the line. In addition to being one of the strongest muscles in the body, your tongue can also indicate signs of oral cancer and even AIDS. It is majorly important to see your friendly Valencia dentist at the first signs of tongue oddities. Some things to look out for:

A black, “hairy” tongue.

Though very shocking and typically unsightly, a black and “hairy” tongue is not something to be concerned about. It is likely a sign of poor dental health, or may be a side effect of some antibiotics and chemotherapy.

This is caused when the papillae (the small bumps on the surface of your tongue) that grow on your tongue are not worn down, and are allowed to grow without limits. The extra surface space is the perfect breeding ground for numerous bacteria, which can often take on a dark or black coloring.

Once the bacteria grows on the long papillae, it can take on a hair-like appearance.

A red, “strawberry” tongue.

A healthy tongue is typically pink, but there are a few possible causes for your tongue to turn red.

Benign migratory glossitis, or a “geographic tongue”, is the term for red patches that appear on your tongue. They are typically accompanied by a white border around them. While typically harmless, if they cause discomfort or last for over two weeks, it may be best to consult your friendly Valencia dentist.

A high fever paired with a red tongue is a warning sign for Scarlet fever. If you suspect this may be the case, contact a doctor immediately.

A lack of vitamin B-12 and folic acid can cause your tongue to turn a reddish hue.

A sore, bumpy tongue.

Smoking can cause tongue irritation.

When a taste bud becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause a large, painful bump on your tongue. However, it’s nothing to be worried about, as it will typically resolve itself with time, however uncomfortable it may be.

Diabetes sufferers will often list a sore tongue as one of their symptoms.

If there is a lump or lasting sore on your tongue, it could indicate oral cancer. If something seems out of the ordinary, it is always safe to check with your Valencia dentist to rule out any other possible illnesses.

A white tongue.

Candidiasis, aka oral thrush, is a yeast infection that often has a white, cottage cheese-like tongue as a symptom. It typically grows in infants and the elderly, and especially after taking antibiotics, which may kill the ‘good’ bacteria in the mouth, leaving behind the oral thrush bacterium. Luckily, some plain yogurt can help restore some of the good bacteria.

Leukoplakia is a condition in which cells in the oral cavity grow unchecked. It is typically harmless, but is often a precursor to oral cancer. If you have white patches on your tongue and in your mouth, check with your friendly Valencia dentist to get the cause determined.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your oral health or about your tongue, never hesitate to schedule an appointment with your Valencia dentist today.

Why do I need a crown?

Dental crowns are common restorations prescribed by dentists.  They are tooth-shaped “caps” that cover and support the tooth.  Oftentimes, patients are unclear about the function of a crown and what the procedure entails. It is important to understand why you need a crown and how it will improve your occlusion and smile.

Large broken-down fillings and fractured teeth are the most common reasons why a dental crown is needed.  After removing an existing filling and then cleaning out the decay, the remaining tooth structure must be more than 60% to hold a long-lasting composite restoration.  If there is not enough tooth structure, a crown is indicated.  Attempting to restore a tooth in these situations with a standard filling will eventually lead to failure.  In addition, a tooth that is painful to biting with fracture lines need to be treated with a crown.
“Capping” the tooth protects the natural tooth structure underneath from fracturing.

Similarly, teeth treated with root canals need additional support.  Gaining access to the root canal space requires removing tooth structure that weakens the tooth.  A crown seals out bacteria from the canal space and prevents breakage.

Sometimes, crowns are used to change the size, shape and color of a tooth.  Full-coverage crowns, partial crowns, or veneers can close diastemas (spaces) between teeth.  Intrinsic tooth discoloration from medications or trauma can also be corrected with crowns.  Worn-down, chipped teeth can be transformed.  Here, the art of dentistry truly comes to life.  We work closely with lab techs and ceramicists to perfect the contours and shades that create an all-natural, esthetically pleasing smile.

Crowns require two appointments for completion.  At the first visit, the tooth is prepared by
removing old fillings and decay. A new filling can be placed to fill in the “pot-holes” so that
the crown has a solid, smooth surface to rest on. Next, the tooth is shaped so that there is enough room for a porcelain crown to cover it.  At this point, an impression (mold) of the
mouth is made which records the tooth’s dimensions for the lab to fabricate the final
crown.  It takes about two weeks for the finished crown to processed and milled.

Between visits, your tooth will have a temporary crown that saves the space for the final crown. It covers the tooth to prevent sensitivity and protects it.  It is cemented with temporary cement so that it will be easier to remove at the next visit. During this time, a softer diet is recommended, nothing too chewy or hard that can cause the temporary to break or come off.  If something does happen, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

At the second visit, the crown will be fitted and adjusted into your occlusion.  After polishing, and ensuring a great shade match, the porcelain crown is cemented permanently.

Here at Go Dental - Valencia Dentist, you can rest assured that we are using the best materials for your crown.  We have eliminated traditional metals from the practice and utilize lithium disilicate ceramics and zirconia, which are very aesthetic and long-lasting materials. We stand behind our crowns and hope that by understanding the process better, you can feel comfortable choosing us as your provider.

Overly Sensitive Teeth?

Do you feel sharp pains when you eat your ice cream? Or a jolt when you are drinking your orange juice? Or a jab when you are brushing or flossing? You may be part of the millions of Americans suffering from “dentin hypersensitivity”, aka sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth are caused by a number of different things, but can all be linked to an exposure of dentin. In healthy teeth, your tooth’s dentin is protected by the hardy enamel layer. When that is damaged, through several different ways, it allows external things to reach the nerve-filled dentin, causing the pain.

Some common things that contribute to tooth sensitivity are: buildups of plaque, eating away at your enamel; receding gum lines caused by gum disease and gingivitis; grinding and wearing down your teeth, causing the enamel to fracture; eating highly acidic foods; overusing over-the-counter bleaching kits; brushing too hard; untreated dental decay; or even overusing mouthwash.

When your dentin is exposed, many outside factors can trigger a pain response. 75% of the time, it is caused by a thermal trigger; that is, hot or cold foods or drinks causing sharp sudden pain. Acid is another trigger, including acidic and sweet foods and beverages. A blast of air can trigger a pain reaction, as can a poke or prod in the wrong area.

Naturally, with so many causes, there are also many treatments. Some dentists may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste, which helps to block the pain triggered by the dentin exposure. A dentist may also apply a tooth sealant, protecting the dentin in harder to reach areas. A treatment of fluoride may also be effective in rebuilding lost enamel and helping reduce sensitivity.

If all else fails, and the sensitivity is severe enough, a root canal may be in order. A dentist will manually remove the nerves in the affected tooth (or teeth), preventing future pain and sensitivity in that area.
If you are concerned about tooth sensitivity, feel free to ask your friendly Valencia dentist. They are always there to help and can discuss your options with you and find the root cause of your issues.

To get in touch with your favorite Valencia dentist, visit our website.

Sleep Apnea, Your Dentist, and You

Do you find yourself drinking more and more coffee, despite having eight full hours of sleep? Can’t seem to feel rested, no matter what you do? Does your family complain about your snoring? Well, you just may have sleep apnea, a condition affecting nearly one in every 15 Americans. That is nearly 18 million Americans.
Sleep apnea comes in a few forms in differing severity, but functions the same.

When you sleep, tissue in the throat collapse and squeeze, cutting off your air intake, directly impacting the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. When your oxygen levels drop enough, your body will wake you up. However, when you are woken up, it is usually so briefly that you will rarely notice. Sufferers of “mild” sleep apnea will wake up from 5 to 15 times per night. “Severe” sufferers, up to 30. Talk about a rough night.

The good news is, however, that your friendly Valencia dentist can help you if you fear you may suffer from sleep apnea. Your dentist can fit your mouth with a custom mouthpiece designed to pull your jaw forward while you sleep, limiting the tissue pressure that can pinch your airways. They can also set you up with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which is an air pump that helps keep your airways open. However, the CPAP machines are a pricier option for most, so the mouth piece is an effective option for those suffering with milder forms of apnea.

If the mouthpieces and CPAP machine fail, surgery is a last resort option. The surgeon will reshape and shave various tissue found in your throat and nasal passages, creating as much space as possible to allow the best airflow. Naturally, this is a major surgery, so should be considered if all other treatments have failed you.
If you have any concerns about sleep apnea, now is the time to talk to your dentist about it. Studies have indicated that continued hypoxia, a lack of oxygen caused by sleep apnea, can actually promote tumor and vascular growth, which increases your odds (almost 4.8 times) of succumbing to cancer.

Your friendly Valencia dentist would be more than happy to help you get a restful, quiet night of sleep. For both you and your partner.

Gum Disease – The Painless Problem

Gum disease, more officially known as periodontitis, affects roughly 47% of adults over 30. Shockingly, by the age of 65, it climbs to roughly 70% of the population.

Periodontitis begins as plaque buildup along the gum lines. If you fail to maintain a healthy smile, the bacteria begins to build up causing your gums to inflame. Once they are inflamed, you officially have gingivitis. Left untreated, that gingivitis will spread deeper and begin to affect the deeper tissues supporting your teeth. Once that happens, your gum tissue will begin to pull away from your teeth, and gingivitis officially becomes periodontitis.

Periodontitis is dangerous because it allows bacteria to grow deep inside your gum tissue, leading to tooth loss and bone degradation. It also makes it more likely that you will develop heart disease, and has been linked to causing or worsening Type 2 Diabetes.

However, poor dental hygiene isn’t the only cause. There are several contributing factors. Pregnancy, diabetes, and high levels of stress can aid in the development of gingivitis, as well as smoking or chewing tobacco. If you’re one to grind your teeth in your sleep, that can contribute to gingivitis as well.

Keep in mind that pain is rarely a symptom of gingivitis. Several other symptoms lead as indicators, including red gums, bleeding gums, a receding gum line, loose teeth, sores, and even persistent bad breath.
If you have noticed a few of these symptoms and are worried, make sure to ask your friendly Valencia dentist for advice. Gingivitis is treatable; it simply requires a deeper cleaning (called ‘scaling’), and potentially X-rays.

If you feel you are at risk, you can help prevent the development of gingivitis by brushing twice a day, flossing or picking, using mouthwash twice daily, and seeing your friendly Valencia dentist regularly.

Power Toothbrushes – a Breeding Ground for Bacteria?

New emerging research indicates that hollow-head power toothbrushes could contain “up to 3,000” times the amount of bacteria compared to solid-head power toothbrushes with identical brushing habits.

The hollow-head brushes allow for more airflow and space for bacteria to cultivate and grow, as the study indicated. However, in the study, subjects were not able to clean or sanitize their brushes in between uses. In actual applications where the brush would be cleaned or sanitized after use, the actual amount of bacteria present would be much lower. Still, a hollow-head brush is potentially a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty things, including yeast and mold.

If you worry about bacteria on your toothbrush, there are a few ways to sanitize it yourself at home. The easiest way is to ensure that it dries between each use. Less moisture means less bacteria support. Some stores will sell a UV light system that will soak your bristles in ultraviolet light, killing anything growing on it; however that option is a bit on the pricier side. Another simple solution is to soak the head of your toothbrush in mouthwash for a good 20 minutes and letting it dry thoroughly before use. This will clean and sanitize and leave a nice minty taste.

The researchers recommend locating some solid-head power brushes, though it’s not an easy feat, as packaging rarely mentions if they are or are not. The trick is to look at where the brush head connects to the base; if there is a lot of space in there, chances are it is a hollow-head brush. If there is just enough room to connect the head to the base, then it is more likely to be a solid-head brush.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns in finding the right brush for yourself, your friendly Valencia dentist, Go Dental, would be happy to discuss your options with you. As always, your health is their priority.