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Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

Cosmetic Dentistry Directory

Friday, June 29, 2012

TMJ Treatment Options

TMJ is a painful condition occurring when your jaw becomes misaligned. The temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull, is one of the most complex joints in your body. Alignment issues with this joint can lead to a variety of painful symptoms that impact your daily life.

TMJ can be treated using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, which focuses on restoring your jaw to its ideal resting position in order to correct any alignment issues that may be present.

TMJ treatment is generally completed in two phases. The first phase seeks to alleviate any painful TMJ symptoms you may experience. This can be accomplished using one or more of the following:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint
Muscle relaxants to help relax tight jaw muscles, particularly in people who clench their teeth
Tricyclic antidepressants to relieve pain
Corticosteroid drugs to reduce pain and joint inflammation
A diet of soft foods which do not require your mouth to open wide or exert significant force when chewing
Apply warm compresses to any areas where you experience pain

Once your pain has been alleviated, you can begin the second phase of TMJ treatment, which seeks to correct the underlying condition causing your jaw misalignment. This can be accomplished using:

Orthotic mouth guard
Dental restorations
Orthodontics

If you suffer from TMJ, please contact us today to find an experienced neuromuscular dentist in your area.

posted by Andrew at 10:18 AM

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Instant Orthodontics

If you would like to straighten crooked teeth but do not want to commit the time necessary for orthodontic treatment, you may want to consider instant orthodontics. This procedure can help you improve the appearance of crooked teeth in just a few short office visits, delivering a straight, beautiful smile.

The procedure involves having porcelain veneers bonded to the front surface of your teeth to generate the appearance of straight teeth. Your cosmetic dentist can complete this treatment in two steps. At your first visit, your dentist will prepare your teeth and take an impression of them. This impression is sent to the lab for use in construction of your porcelain veneers.

Once your restoration has been fabricated in the dental lab, you will return to your cosmetic dentist’s office to have them securely bonded to your teeth. At this point, your teeth will look straight and beautiful.

It is important to understand that instant orthodontics is not the same as true orthodontic treatment. Instant orthodontics provides strictly aesthetic benefits. The porcelain veneers will make your teeth look straight, but they will still be crooked underneath. If you would like to enjoy the functional benefits of straight teeth as well, then you will need to undergo traditional orthodontic treatment.

Please contact us today to find an experienced cosmetic dentist near you.

posted by Andrew at 3:45 PM

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Homemade Anti-Cavity Mouthwash Recipe

If you are tired of store-bought mouthwash that does provides little benefit to your oral health other than helping you maintain fresh breath, then consider using this recipe. This homemade mouthwash is a refreshing and cost-effective alternative to store-bought mouthwash that will also help prevent cavities and maintain healthy tooth structure.

Ingredients:

8 oz. water
2 teaspoons PreviDent GEL (1.1% Sodium Fluoride)
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ tablesppon xylitol (can be purchased online or at most health food stores such as Whole Foods)
¼ teaspoon peppermint oil extract or any other flavor you prefer

To make the mouthwash, blend all the ingredients together with an immersion blender or a regular blender. Refrigerate the mouthwash in an air-tight container. Rinse your mouth twice a day after brushing. Only 10 ml (2 tsp) is needed to achieve your desired results. For maximum effectiveness, avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing for a half hour after you spit out the rinse. Do not swallow it.

This batch should last you approximately two weeks. Several of the ingredients provide important oral health benefits:

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that has been proven to prevent tooth decay
Baking soda helps neutralize tooth-eroding acid produced by cavity-causing bacteria
Fluoride helps remineralize tooth structure

Please contact us to find an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area.

posted by Andrew at 3:55 PM

Friday, June 15, 2012

Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Smile

Did you know that certain foods naturally clean your teeth as you eat them? By including the right foods in your diet, you can help maintain healthy teeth and gums, improving the vitality of your smile.

Some ingredients that will help you keep your smile in great shape include:

Basil – it has natural antibiotic properties that reduce the levels of bacteria in your mouth
Broccoli – it creates an acid-resistant film on your teeth that can protect your enamel
Carrots – contains lots of Vitamin A which is crucial to the development of tooth enamel; carrots also clean and stimulate your gums, improving their health
Cheese – provides you with an abundance of lactic acid that helps prevent tooth decay
Celery – stimulates saliva production which aids in the removal of food particles from your teeth and dilutes the sugars and acids in your mouth; celery also massages your gums
Ginger – contains anti-inflammatory properties that support healthy tissue throughout your mouth
Green tea – contains the antioxidant catechin which reduces the production of harmful bacteria that lead to gingivitis
Kale and chard – high in minerals that support healthy tooth structure
Kiwi – high in Vitamin C, which is important for maintaining healthy gums
Lemon – contains natural whitening properties and helps maintain a proper pH balance in your body
Onions – rich in sulphur compounds that reduce many of the bacteria in your mouth that lead to tooth decay
Pineapple – stimulates the production of saliva and contains an abundance of citric acid, a combination that produces a natural mouthwash to fight bacteria in your mouth
Quinoa – a super grain containing many minerals that strengthen your teeth
Salmon – rich in Vitamin D, which facilitates the processing of calcium contained in the other foods you eat
Sea salt – contains a variety of minerals which help mineralize and strengthen your teeth
Sesame seeds – help reduce plaque and contain a variety of minerals which improve the health of your teeth
Shiitake mushrooms – good source of a sugar called Lentinan that stems the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth
Strawberries – high in fiber and Vitamin C which helps promote healthy gums
Wasabi – contains the compound isothiocyanates which stems the growth of harmful bacteria

Of course, these foods alone will not ensure healthy teeth and gums. It is still important to brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist twice a year for your regularly scheduled teeth cleanings. If there are imperfections in your smile which you would like corrected, you may want to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to find out how a smile makeover can address your aesthetic goals.

Please contact us today to find an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area.

posted by Andrew at 10:09 AM

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