What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the temporal bone (side and base of the skull) and the mandible (lower jaw). Mastication (chewing) muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your jaw forward, sideways, and open and close.
The joint works properly when the lower jaw (mandible) and its joint (both the right and left) are synchronized during movement. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder?
TMD describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men and is the most common non-dental related chronic orofacial pain.
What causes TMD?
Normal function for this muscle group includes chewing, swallowing, speech and communication. Most experts suggest that certain tasks, either mental or physical, cause or aggravate TMD, such as strenuous physical tasks or stressful situations. Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism).
These excessive habits tire the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort, such as headaches or neck pain. Additionally, abnormal function can lead to worn or sensitive teeth, traumatized soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort when eating, and temporal (side) headaches.
What TMD symptoms can I experience?
- An earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
- Clicking when opening and closing your jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn, or eat
- Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found
What can I do to treat TMD?
The majority of cases can be treated by unloading (resting) the joint, taking a non-aspirin pain reliever and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques. It's important to break bad habits to ease the symptoms. Most treatment for TMD is simple, often can be done at home, and does not need surgery. For example, control clenching or grinding during the day by sticking your tongue between your teeth. If you still experience pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. So see your Mortenson Family Dental dentist for a nighttime mouthguard.
Most people will experience relief with minor treatment. More severe cases may be treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, posture training and orthopedic appliance therapy (splint). Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum also will help relax the muscles.
Is TMD permanent?
The condition is often cyclical and may reoccur during times of stress, good or bad. As the patient, you should be active in your treatment after seeing a dentist for a diagnosis regime by being aware of the causes of your jaw problems. Make routine dental appointments, so your doctor can check TMD on a regular basis.
Sources
Giblisco, Joseph A. DDS, Charles McNeill, DDS, Harold T. Perry, DDS. Orofacial Pain; Understanding Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorders. Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois. 1994.
E. Mac Edington, DDS, MAGD, ABGD.
NIDR, Temporomandibular Disorders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Wilkinson, Tom, "New patterns of dental disease; Management of temporomandibular disorders." Australian Dental Association News Bulletin, No. 246, July 1997.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Dry Mouth - Symptoms and Solutions
POSSIBLE DRY-MOUTH SYMPTOMS:
- Your saliva will be thick and stringy.
- You may have cuts or cracks in your lips or at the corners of your mouth.
- Your dentures may no longer fit well. This may cause sores on your gums.
- You will be thirsty.
- It may be hard to swallow and talk.
- You may lose your sense of taste.
- Your tongue and mouth may feel sore.
- You may get mouth sores, mouth pain, cavities (dental caries), or gum disease.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOUTH!
Brush your teeth and gums 2 or 3 times a day for 2 to 3 minutes each time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
When you brush, rinse your brush in hot water every 30 seconds to keep the bristles soft.
Let your toothbrush air dry between brushings.
Choose toothpaste with care.
If toothpaste makes your mouth sore, brush with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 4 cups of water. Pour a small amount into a clean cup to dip your toothbrush into each time you brush. Use toothpaste with fluoride.
Floss gently 1 time a day. Rinse your mouth 5 or 6 times a day. Use any of these solutions when you rinse:
1 teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water
1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup (8 ounces) of water
½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons baking soda in 4 cups of water
Avoid rinses that have alcohol in them. You may use an antibacterial rinse 2 to 4 times a day for gum disease. Rinse for 1 to 2 minutes each time.
Do not eat foods or drinks that have a lot of sugar in them. They may cause tooth decay. Use lip care products to keep your lips from drying out and cracking. Sip water to ease mouth dryness.
Eating sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum may also help.
TALK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT:
Solutions to replace minerals in your teeth
Saliva substitutes
Drugs that help your salivary glands make more saliva
Diet
You need to eat enough protein and calories from other foods to keep your weight up.
TIPS TO MAKE EATING EASIER:
Choose foods that you like.
Serve foods with gravy, broths, or sauces to make them easier to chew and swallow.
Eat small meals, and eat more often.
Cut your food into small pieces to make it easier to chew.
Ask your doctor or dentist if artificial saliva might help you.
Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of liquid each day (not including coffee, tea, or other drinks that have caffeine).
Drink liquids with your meals.
Sip cool drinks during the day.
Keep a glass of water next to your bed at night. Drink when you get up to use the bathroom or other times you wake up.
Ask your doctor about liquid food supplements. These can help you meet your energy needs.
Avoid alcoholic drinks. They will bother your throat. Also avoid foods that are very spicy, have a lot of acid or are very hot or cold.
If pills are hard to swallow, try crushing them with some ice cream or another soft food. Ask your doctor if it is okay to crush your pills. Some pills do not work if they are crushed.
References
Taubert M, Davies MR, Black I. Dry mouth. BMJ. Mar 24 2007;334(7594):600.
Johnson R, Johnson G. Integrating palliative and curative care strategies in the practice of otolaryngology. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 81.
- Your saliva will be thick and stringy.
- You may have cuts or cracks in your lips or at the corners of your mouth.
- Your dentures may no longer fit well. This may cause sores on your gums.
- You will be thirsty.
- It may be hard to swallow and talk.
- You may lose your sense of taste.
- Your tongue and mouth may feel sore.
- You may get mouth sores, mouth pain, cavities (dental caries), or gum disease.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOUTH!
Brush your teeth and gums 2 or 3 times a day for 2 to 3 minutes each time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
When you brush, rinse your brush in hot water every 30 seconds to keep the bristles soft.
Let your toothbrush air dry between brushings.
Choose toothpaste with care.
If toothpaste makes your mouth sore, brush with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 4 cups of water. Pour a small amount into a clean cup to dip your toothbrush into each time you brush. Use toothpaste with fluoride.
Floss gently 1 time a day. Rinse your mouth 5 or 6 times a day. Use any of these solutions when you rinse:
1 teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water
1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup (8 ounces) of water
½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons baking soda in 4 cups of water
Avoid rinses that have alcohol in them. You may use an antibacterial rinse 2 to 4 times a day for gum disease. Rinse for 1 to 2 minutes each time.
Do not eat foods or drinks that have a lot of sugar in them. They may cause tooth decay. Use lip care products to keep your lips from drying out and cracking. Sip water to ease mouth dryness.
Eating sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum may also help.
TALK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT:
Solutions to replace minerals in your teeth
Saliva substitutes
Drugs that help your salivary glands make more saliva
Diet
You need to eat enough protein and calories from other foods to keep your weight up.
TIPS TO MAKE EATING EASIER:
Choose foods that you like.
Serve foods with gravy, broths, or sauces to make them easier to chew and swallow.
Eat small meals, and eat more often.
Cut your food into small pieces to make it easier to chew.
Ask your doctor or dentist if artificial saliva might help you.
Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of liquid each day (not including coffee, tea, or other drinks that have caffeine).
Drink liquids with your meals.
Sip cool drinks during the day.
Keep a glass of water next to your bed at night. Drink when you get up to use the bathroom or other times you wake up.
Ask your doctor about liquid food supplements. These can help you meet your energy needs.
Avoid alcoholic drinks. They will bother your throat. Also avoid foods that are very spicy, have a lot of acid or are very hot or cold.
If pills are hard to swallow, try crushing them with some ice cream or another soft food. Ask your doctor if it is okay to crush your pills. Some pills do not work if they are crushed.
References
Taubert M, Davies MR, Black I. Dry mouth. BMJ. Mar 24 2007;334(7594):600.
Johnson R, Johnson G. Integrating palliative and curative care strategies in the practice of otolaryngology. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 81.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Symptoms Of Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
It may be hard to tell if you have a mild case of gum disease. Healthy gums are pink and firm, fit snugly around the teeth, and do not bleed easily. But mild cases of gum disease (gingivitis) cause gums that are red, swollen, and tender and/or gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing.
As gum disease gets worse (periodontitis), the symptoms are easier to see, such as:
- Gums that pull away or shrink from the teeth
- Bad breath that won't go away
- Pus coming from the gums
- A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Loose teeth
HOW IS GUM DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
To find out if you have gum disease, your Mortenson Family dentist will do an exam to look for:
- Bleeding gums
- Hard buildups of plaque and tartar above and below the gums
- Areas where your gums are pulling away or shrinking from your teeth
- Pockets that have grown between your teeth and gums
Your dentist or dental hygienist may take X-rays of your teeth to look for bone damage and other problems.
HOW IS GUM DISEASE TREATED?
If you have a mild case of gum disease, you will probably be able to take care of it by brushing and flossing your teeth every day and getting regular cleanings at your dentist's office.
If your gum disease has become worse and you have periodontitis, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth using a method called root planing and scaling. This removes the plaque and tartar buildup both above and below the gum line. You may also need to take antibiotics to help get rid of the infection in your mouth. If your gum disease is severe, you may need to have surgery.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease is most common in adults, but it can affect anyone, even children. So good dental habits are important throughout your life:
Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and before bedtime, with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss your teeth once each day.
Visit your Mortenson Family dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleaning.
Don't use tobacco products.
If you think you have a mild case of gum disease, make sure to take care of it before it gets worse. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy and getting regular checkups from your dentist can keep the disease from getting worse.
Having gum disease may increase a pregnant woman's risk of having a premature, low-birth-weight baby. Also, studies have found a direct link between heart disease and the bacteria that cause gum disease. So taking good care of your teeth and gums may have benefits beyond keeping your mouth healthy.
- WebMD
As gum disease gets worse (periodontitis), the symptoms are easier to see, such as:
- Gums that pull away or shrink from the teeth
- Bad breath that won't go away
- Pus coming from the gums
- A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Loose teeth
HOW IS GUM DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
To find out if you have gum disease, your Mortenson Family dentist will do an exam to look for:
- Bleeding gums
- Hard buildups of plaque and tartar above and below the gums
- Areas where your gums are pulling away or shrinking from your teeth
- Pockets that have grown between your teeth and gums
Your dentist or dental hygienist may take X-rays of your teeth to look for bone damage and other problems.
HOW IS GUM DISEASE TREATED?
If you have a mild case of gum disease, you will probably be able to take care of it by brushing and flossing your teeth every day and getting regular cleanings at your dentist's office.
If your gum disease has become worse and you have periodontitis, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth using a method called root planing and scaling. This removes the plaque and tartar buildup both above and below the gum line. You may also need to take antibiotics to help get rid of the infection in your mouth. If your gum disease is severe, you may need to have surgery.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease is most common in adults, but it can affect anyone, even children. So good dental habits are important throughout your life:
Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and before bedtime, with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss your teeth once each day.
Visit your Mortenson Family dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleaning.
Don't use tobacco products.
If you think you have a mild case of gum disease, make sure to take care of it before it gets worse. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy and getting regular checkups from your dentist can keep the disease from getting worse.
Having gum disease may increase a pregnant woman's risk of having a premature, low-birth-weight baby. Also, studies have found a direct link between heart disease and the bacteria that cause gum disease. So taking good care of your teeth and gums may have benefits beyond keeping your mouth healthy.
- WebMD
Here's $50.00 for YOU
Do you Care To Share?
Did you know that when you refer a new patient to Mortenson Family Dental and they come in for a visit, you can get a $50.00 credit to your account? Do you know what's even better? If they become a patient, SO DO THEY!
To sweeten the deal, there's NO LIMIT to the amount of $50.00 credits that you can accrue on your account. So here's what you do:
1. Tell your friends, family and co-workers what YOU already know...that they will receive the best dental care they have ever experienced at your Mortenson Family Dental office.
2. Have them visit our Fan Page to request an appointment on the "Appointments" tab OR have them call us at 502-244-9595 to schedule an appointment today.
3. When they come for their first appointment, have them tell the staff that YOU referred them through the Care To Share program.
It's that simple!
We'll see you soon!
Did you know that when you refer a new patient to Mortenson Family Dental and they come in for a visit, you can get a $50.00 credit to your account? Do you know what's even better? If they become a patient, SO DO THEY!
To sweeten the deal, there's NO LIMIT to the amount of $50.00 credits that you can accrue on your account. So here's what you do:
1. Tell your friends, family and co-workers what YOU already know...that they will receive the best dental care they have ever experienced at your Mortenson Family Dental office.
2. Have them visit our Fan Page to request an appointment on the "Appointments" tab OR have them call us at 502-244-9595 to schedule an appointment today.
3. When they come for their first appointment, have them tell the staff that YOU referred them through the Care To Share program.
It's that simple!
We'll see you soon!
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