Your Dentist May Be Able to Help with TMJ Disorders

That constant headache that you’ve been having could be cause for concern, and if everything has checked out with your physician, you may need to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder.

TMJ, or Temporal-Mandibular Joint disorders are cause by problems that occur where the head and jaw meet. Your Dentist will tell you that TMJ disorders can cause all sorts of problems including earaches, constant popping or clicking when you open your mouth and trouble opening and closing your mouth.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, TMJ causes dysfunction and pain in the muscles that control the movement in your jaw. Recent research has indicated that more than 10 million people in the United Stated are affected with TMJ disorders.

Although men suffer from TMJ disorders, it is more common in women. For the majority of people dealing with TMJ disorders the discomfort is temporary and only happens on occasion. For some, a TMJ disorder may disappear without treatment, for others however, the pain is significant with symptoms that could last a lifetime.  

If you think you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder, there are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. These include the application of ice packs and eating soft foods. According to your Dentist, other things you can do to ease your pain include relaxation techniques and gentle jaw stretching. Try avoiding wide yawning and chewing gum as it may cause more problems.

Schedule an appointment with you doctor or Dentist who can help if over the counter medications have not helped relieve your pain and discomfort. Your Dentist may prescribe muscle relaxants, anti depressants or anti-inflammatory medications to help ease your TMJ symptoms.

Talk to your Dentist who may recommend stabilization splints. Widely used to help TMJ disorders, stabilization splints can help with pain and discomfort. Depending on your particular situation, your Dentist may also recommend replacing missing teeth or adjusting your bite. If you have gaps between your teeth or need to have your teeth moved, talk to your Dentist as these could all be causing TMJ problems. If clenching or teeth grinding is the problem, your Dentist may suggest a custom-made mouthpiece.

For more information regarding TMJ disorders, schedule an appointment with your Dentist who can help you decide what steps to take according to your needs.

Dental Sealants Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Dental Sealants can help prevent tooth decay in infants, kids and teenagers, but are also being used for adults who have teeth without restorations. Talk to your dentist if you want to prevent cavities.

When your dentist applies Dental Sealants to the top of your back teeth the fine pits and grooves are protected from plaque. These grooves and pits are hard to reach when you brush, and when you floss, you just slide over the top of them. If left untouched, cavities will develop leading to an unnecessary trip to the dentist’s office. Dental Sealants prevent tooth decay from developing as the coating that is painted on to each tooth allows you to brush off the plaque easily and effectively.

Web MD describes Dental Sealants as plastic coatings that are thinly painted on to the places where you chew. Your dentist paints the thin solution on to your back teeth, or pre-molars and molars, into the grooves and depressions in order to form a strong and tough shield over your teeth.  

Because it is likely that your kids will develop tooth decay before they reach adulthood, Dental Sealants can ease the likely hood by providing a protective defense against cavities.

Dental sealants are perfect during the cavity prone years. When your children are between the ages of 6 to 14 you may want to consider Dental Sealants to prevent tooth decay. Babies may also be good candidates for Dental Sealants. It is imperative that your infant’s baby teeth are healthy as they provide the right spacing for their adult teeth.

Applying Dental Sealants is painless and quick. A few minutes is all it takes for a dentist or dental hygienist to paint the special dental sealant on to each tooth.

After each tooth is cleaned thoroughly, it is dried and wrapped with cotton. An acidic dental solution is then painted on to the back teeth where you chew to roughen, which helps the Dental Sealant seal the tooth. Once the teeth are rinsed and dried your dentist or hygienist will paint the Dental Sealant into the pits and grooves in your back teeth. Occasionally a special curing light may be used to cure the Dental Sealant.

Dental Sealants can help prevent tooth decay for up to a decade as long as you practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice, flossing once a day, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups will prevent unnecessary trips to the dentist for replacement Dental Sealants.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Dental Sealants, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Practicing preventive dental care now will prevent unnecessary and expensive dental appointments in the future.

It May Be Wise to Think Before You Chew

A good diet is not only good for your body, but good for your smile as well. Steering clear of foods that are not so good for your teeth and gums will keep your mouth healthy and you out of the dentist’s chair. Of course, you will need regular checkups with your Dentist in Chicago, but if you pay close attention to the foods you eat, your dentist may not detect tooth decay giving you a clean bill of health.

According to the American Dental Association and Dr. Romo, a diet that is rich in tooth healthy foods is just as important as regular checkups, brushing and flossing. Sugary and sticky foods are extremely bad for your teeth, as they will stay on your teeth for longer periods. Those gummy bears and caramels that you enjoyed at your daughter’s birthday party could have caused damage to the enamel on your teeth.

Drinks that are acidic and loaded with sugar will cause twice as much trouble for your teeth. Drinking soft drinks can stall saliva activity in your mouth, which helps to clear away food particles.  

Dried fruits may be good for your waistline, but not so good for your teeth. Those processed fruit snacks are loaded with sugar and incredibly sticky. This means that they will adhere to your teeth while the sugar quietly feeds on the bacteria in your mouth promoting dental erosion.

Those hard candies that you enjoy may be curbing your appetite, but they will wreck havoc on your teeth as the sweetness lingers in your mouth while dissolving long after they have been gone. If you do enjoy the occasional hard candy, be sure and rinse your mouth after eating.

Most people know that red wine can stain teeth, but all kinds of alcohol can hurt your teeth as it causes a decrease in your natural saliva production stopping the food particles from washing away. Alcohol can also damage the inside of your cheeks and gums, as it is very corrosive. People who drink more tend to be more susceptible to gum disease and dental problems.

Starchy foods such as white bread, potato chips, and those yummy crackers that you enjoy are not so good for your teeth either as starchy foods can become trapped in between your teeth. If you do not rinse after consuming starchy foods you will be feeding the bacteria in your mouth, which could cause plaque or even tartar.

Avoiding your favorite foods does not have to be a problem if you brush, rinse, or floss after eating something that could affect your teeth and gums. According to your Dentist in Chicago, it might be wise to think before you chew. 

Dental Veneers to Improve Your Smile

Porcelain Veneers, or Dental Veneers, are custom made wafer thin shells that fit and cover the front surface of your tooth or teeth. Talk to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago, Dr. Genaro Romo, who will be able to determine if you are good candidate for Dental Veneers.

Dental Veneers can be made from resin or porcelain, resin Veneers are thinner and do not resist stains they way that porcelain veneers do. Porcelain veneers also look more natural as they reflect light much in the say way that your natural teeth do. Resin veneers are thinner and do not require your Dentist in Chicago to remove as much of the surface of your tooth. As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of Veneers, but your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist will be able to advise you on the best choice for your particular situation.

Dental Veneers can fix teeth that are discolored from stains or root canal treatment, from tetracycline or excessive fluoride use. Talk to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago about discolored resin fillings, teeth that are broken or chipped or teeth that are uneven, misaligned, or irregularly shaped as Dental Veneers can help fix those problems as well.

Dental Veneers usually require three visits to your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist with the first appointment involving your treatment planning and diagnosis. During your first appointment with Dr. Romo, it is important to let him know what results you want. Your Dentist in Chicago will examine your teeth to make sure you are a good candidate for Dental Veneers. Dr. Romo may also take x-rays.

Your second appointment involves the tooth preparation for the Dental Veneers. A small amount of enamel is removed from the surface of your tooth, which is about equal to your Dental Veneer. Your Dentist in Chicago may recommend a local anesthetic before trimming, to relieve any discomfort. After trimming, your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist will make an impression or model that will be sent to the dental laboratory in order to make your Dental Veneers.

After a couple of weeks, your Dental Veneers will be ready to be bonded to your teeth, which constitutes your third and final appointment. Before your tooth or teeth are cemented permanently, your dentist will temporarily place for color and fit. Once adjusted, Dr. Romo will prepare your tooth or teeth by cleaning, polishing, and etching. This actually roughens the tooth for stronger bonding. A special adhesive is applied to your tooth and the Dental Veneer and once placed is cured with a laser or light beam that hardens the cement.

If Dental Veneers sound like something that you would like to consider, schedule a no obligation consultation with your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Veneers.

Ancient Cosmetic Dentistry Techniques that Will Surprise You

Thanks to the wonders of Modern Cosmetic Dentistry in Chicago, you no longer have to resort to ancient cosmetic dental procedures that were less than pleasant.

Thousands of years ago, the Romans and Greeks would use urine to whiten their teeth, while other civilizations would mix pumice with vinegar to brighten their pearly whites.

Barbers started to get into the act back in 1130 when they began to assist with dental procedures. In 1210, Barbers formed a guild that consisted of dental hygienists and dental surgeons. Oral surgery performed by barbers was discontinued in the 1400’s but they still performed oral hygiene services including tooth whitening. Barbers would file down a patients tooth before coating it with acid. Of course, this method of tooth whitening worked quite well, but it eventually destroyed the tooth’s enamel.

Dental Implants are the second oldest form of cosmetic dentistry with oral surgery topping the list. According to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago, root form implants were used over 4000 years ago with the Chinese tapping pegs made from carved bamboo into the bone. Archaeologists have uncovered Ancient Egyptian mummies that have transplanted teeth made from precious metals, ivory and human teeth.

When Cosmetic Dentists tried to use human teeth for dental implants in the 1700s, they soon discovered that the body would reject any such implant almost immediately. Dentists decided to put metal into the tooth sockets to replace missing teeth, but unfortunately, that didn’t work too well either.

2,500 years ago, Native Americans were very sophisticated when it came to dentistry. The Mayans and other tribes in southern North America would go to early cosmetic dentists to have grooves and notches put into their teeth in order to show off semiprecious stones such as jade, obsidian and turquoise. According to anthropologist Jose Concepcion Jimenez, the men sported the fancy grills from all walks of life. Meant for decoration they did not mark any social class. In fact, the Red Queen, a Mayan mummy discovered in the Palenque Temple did not have any tooth decorations at all.

Thanks to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago you do not have to resort to such barbaric practices when it comes to a beautiful smile. Schedule a no obligation consultation today with Romo Dental.