Question: Will a orthodontist know if I have TMJ? I think a may have TMJ but not sure.

Answer: Yes, a orthodontist will know if you have a TMJ issues and be able to treat you for it if you do. If you feel you have a TMJ issue speak to your dentist so that he/she can confirm if you do or do not have TMJ and what is needed to treat any dental care needs you may have.

Question: I do chew daily, I am wanting to stop but until I do if I brush often will that help prevent dental health issues?

Answer: The side effects of chewing tobacco are numerous, but since we are talking about your teeth here are the side effects related to just your mouth.

1) Stained teeth
2) Bad breath
3) Sores on the gums and in the mouth that are stubborn to heal
4) Some of the effects on dental health are escalated by the sugar that is added to the tobacco during processing to improve the taste.
5) Risk of developing oral cancer
It is a good idea to stop chewing as soon as possible brushing your teeth is important but when chewing you are still increasing your risks for dental health issues.

Question: I was told that we should clean our tongue when brushing our teeth. How do you clean your tongue?

Answer: You would take care of your tongue the same way you take care of your teeth. Brush it twice a day and buy a good germ killing mouthwash that you like.

My son is fourteen and still sucks his thumb.  He does not do it all the time every day but over the years he has done it enough to push out his teeth a little.  I took him to see an orthodontic dentist so that his teeth can be corrected.  However once he found out my son still will suck his thumb when stressed or upset he said it would be better not to get braces until he stop that habit.

He was saying it would only be a waste of money since if my son still sucks his thumb once the braces are off he will over time mess the up again.  I understand what he is saying but am very upset with the attitude that he gave off.   Like we have not tried to get him to stop.  He is the only child out of our four that does that.

I think that if we can get him into braces he would stop sucking his thumb.  Are there orthodontic dentist that would be able to treat my son without the attitude?  If you know of any kind suggest that may help my son to stop thumb sucking then we could try that too.   Thanks

I been having a toothache now for the past few weeks.  It is one of my front top teeth.  It is not OMG I am in pain but it does hurt off and on.   I have been to the dentist only for him to tell me I do not have any cavities nor do I have any gum issues.  I know I should be happy with that but I even had my orthodontic dentist look at my teeth and he also tells me that my teeth have no cavities.

I know the pain in is not coming from my braces since I had them now for a year without any pain from day one. I have a great Orthodontic dentist by the way.  So why do I have this toothache?  Can there be other reasons besides a cavity for someone to have a toothache.

All-Porcelain Crowns General Description

Inlays, onlays, crowns and aesthetic veneers May fracture under heavy biting loads Strength depends on adequate porcelain thickness; it requires moderate tooth reduction during preparation Highly resistant to wear, but porcelain can rapidly wear opposing teeth if its surface becomes rough Color and translucency mimic natural tooth appearance Cost is about 10% higher; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns Porcelain is fused to an underlying metal structure to provide strength to a crown or bridge Crowns and fixed bridges. Very strong and durable Including both porcelain and metal creates a stronger restoration than porcelain alone; moderately aggressive tooth reduction is required Highly resistant to wear, but porcelain can rapidly wear opposing teeth if its surface becomes rough Porcelain can mimic natural tooth appearance, but metal limits translucency. Requires at least two office visits and laboratory service

Question: I have an abscess tooth and it is hurting me I like to have it pulled but the dentist I went to only wants to drain the abscess and make me wait it out, before pulling the to that is hurting me. I am in pain and just want the tooth gone.

Answer: To start with a dentist will normally not remove a tooth if there is an abscess. The Abscess has to clear up before removing any teeth. For this they may give you antibiotics. Taking them as prescribe is important. Listerine has a pain reliving mouthwash that may help some with the pain, but check first with the dentist. You may wish to re think about having your abscess drain. It may hurt but it will also help to heal faster in the long run. By letting it go it may take longer to go away or it may even make it worse. What you are describing is nothing to put off.

Question: I do not have dental insurance but need to have my wisdom teeth. What can I do to make it more affordable so I can have this done.

Answer: You may want to look into getting a dental discount plan, since you have immediate needs. Dental Insurance at this point may not cover you to see an Oral Surgeon or they may have a long term waiting period before you can be covered. Dental Discount This type of dental plan is not insurance.

The managing organizations have negotiated with local dental offices to establish a set price for a particular dental procedure and offer deep discounts (some up to 70%) off the regular ADA pricing code. This plan has several advantages over traditional dental insurance plans, namely, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This allows a patient to receive immediate coverage for work without meeting any waiting period requirements.

Question: I have bad teeth they are all crooked and due to that I do get cavities easier then most people. I just like to have them pulled and get fake teeth not to have to deal with fixing them all the time.

Answer: I would advise you should correct the problem with braces and not by pulling a tooth and having a bridge, partial or implant. Braces cost varies depending on what type you would get and treatment. Think about speaking to your local dentist. Try looking for one that will give you a free consult.

Question: I just got my braces they are a bit scratchy which I can deal with, but my gums are also a bit itchy. Any suggestions on how to stop the itchiness?

Answer: Try Orajel or Ambosol since they numb the area you put it on it should relive the itchiness

At the lowest level of whitening products are toothpastes, floss and mouthwashes that have been specially formulated to brighten your teeth. Generally speaking, if used consistently, they can whiten healthy teeth about one shade over time. These products can be purchased over the counter, and may cost about the same as “regular” counterparts, or slightly more. Therefore, they are a cost-effective means of whitening your teeth, if you only wish to take off surface stains, and you are motivated to prevent stains from reoccurring in the future.

Whitening strips have become very popular in the past 5 or 6 years. They are easy to use and much less messy than bleaching kits. The cost is still significantly more than whitening toothpastes and products discussed above, but you will see more dramatic results more quickly. Besides cost, there are two additional drawbacks to mention with respect to strips. First, they only work on healthy teeth that have yellowed due to age and stains. Second, they may cause significant tooth sensitivity.

Consult with your dentist before paying the $20-40 for one of these kits. There are several major brands and formulations for whitening strips, including Crest, Listerine, Oral B and Rembrandt. Listerine’s strips dissolve in your mouth, which they claim to be a benefit because you don’t have to take them off 1/2 hour after you put them on.

Crest Strips come in a variety of styles, including Daily Multi-care, which you use for only 5 minutes a day (brightening more slowly over time), and Crest Whitestrips Premium, which you only need to use for 7 days (1/2 hour morning and night). Most brands require use for 14 days, 1/2 hour morning and night.

These products contain hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent, and will only work on natural teeth; they will not whiten veneers or other dental work. Amounts of the bleaching agent differ, from 6% to 10%, depending on formulations. You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome.

For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn’t fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist

Question: I am told I need braces, I wondering for how long. I do not really want them and if I have to have them would like it to be for a short period of time.

Answer: Ask the orthodontic dentist that you are seeing. He/She can normally tell how long they think it would take. If you have not yet seen an orthodontic then I would suggest looking for one that can give you a free consul

Many dental hygienists across the country visit schools during the academic school year to teach youngsters about oral hygiene. It may be time to teach chewing instead, especially to the younger kids and particularly to young and expectant mothers.

A few of the valuable benefits of chewing are listed below.Chewing can be affected by insufficient nasal breathing (due to enlarged lymph tissue like tonsils and adenoids) and impacts the function of the following:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Muscle tension and tone
• Dental occlusion or malocclusion
• Saliva production or lack of
• Neurological or genetic disorders such as strokes, hemiparesis, hemifacial microsomia, and traumatic brain injury

Proper dental care for your child begins even before your baby cuts their first tooth. As and infant you want to keep your baby’s gums clean. You can do this by running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings, by doing this it can help to prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your baby has a few teeth showing you can then begin to brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush. Feeding habits for babies is very important in maintain dental health.

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits. Putting a baby to sleep with a baby bottle in his or her mouth may seem convenient but it can do great harm to your baby’s teeth. A Parent should consider taking your child to a dentist who specializes in treating kids. Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with kids’ dental health

Having a Sugar Free Diet Equals healthier Children and Healthy Teeth.

It can be difficult to give your kids a sugar free diet when sugar is an ingredient which is used to enrich a high percentage of baby foods, snacks and prepackaged foods. Processed food in today’s society is represents alot of what people are eating. However do your best to stay away from these type of food is you want your child to stay healthy.

If sugar is consumed in excess, it can bring about plenty of health complications. Try to eat more sucrose-free food products, and make sure to replace the high sucrose foods with healthy foods that contain vitamins, minerals and fibers. These types of foods will help your child develop healthily and grow strong teeth.

Dentures can be costly and if you do not have current insurance you may not be able to get new denture covered for over a year or more. Whenever you need to have denture replacement think about having your dentures repaired by a technician. Dentures can chip and brake if you drop them by mistake since they are fragile. However that does not mean that you have to get new ones. You should know that there are many professional denture repair labs out there that can fix the problem for you. Repairing your dentures is definitely a much cheaper method than having them replaced with new ones.

Periodontal disease (Gum Disease) is a serious infections that, left untreated, may lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed. If left untreated by a dentist, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed.

There have been enough study and evidence to help prove that by having poor dental health (bad teeth and gum) you increase your risk of health issues like heart disease. However the good news is by seeing your dentist regularly for your general cleaning which most dental insurance plan offer for free will help to not only keep your teeth and gums healthy but reduce your risk of other health issues.

Cosmetic Dentistry provides a great range of dental services. Cosmetic dentistry is more then just having dental implants. For people that have teeth loss, damaged teeth, broken or chipped teeth a cosmetic dentist may be the right choice for you. Cosmetic dentistry can include service such as invisalign, Dental Implants, Veneers, Bonding, Teeth Whitening Facial Aesthetics and Crowns. If you have dental issues that you need to address beyond a general dentist you may wish to seek an consult with a cosmetic dentist.

Signs that may be telling you that you have periodontal disease. If after reading this you see that you have two or more of these signs to periodontal disease, you may want to see a dentist to confirm your dental and health. Red and Swollen Gums, Bad Breath, Bleeding gums when brushing and or flossing your teeth, A constant bad taste in your mouth, Receding gums and Tooth Loss. These signs should not go unchecked by your dentist. Links to periodontal disease and other health issues have been found and by maintaining health gums you also help to maintain your over all health care.