Apthous ulcers are a common condition that affects up to a quarter of all Americans. The sores can be uncomfortable and cause problems with eating and drinking. They can last a while too which is why we are offering a fast, effective treatment for them.

Apthous ulcers

An apthous ulcer is a recurrent ulcer that keeps coming back no matter what you try to do to prevent it. They appear in the mouth, usually around the loose tissue of the palate (roof of the mouth), inner cheek or inside the lips. They are small, less than 1cm in diameter and usually have a red halo around the outside.

While minor, apthous ulcers can expose nerves to the outside, causing discomfort whenever you open or move your mouth. This has an obvious effect on eating, drinking and even talking. The specific cause of apthous ulcers is still unknown but we think it is linked to poor diet, stress, acidic food, trauma or sensitivities to certain chemicals.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment has proven very effective at tackling apthous ulcers. Often referred to as ‘biomodulation’, laser treatment is able to suppress certain conditions and is now a widely practiced medical procedure. One that Aesthetic Family Dentistry is also pleased to offer.

By applying a special medical-grade laser to the apthous ulcer, we can treat the virus that causes the ulcer. Relief is immediate and the ulcer will disappear in around 48-72 hours. Better still, once treated, reoccurrence is much less frequent.

Laser treatment for apthous ulcers only takes a couple of minutes, is completely painless and needs no anesthesia. Recovery is almost instantaneous. We can also treat the ulcer in the formative stages, when it is tingling rather than already apparent so can stop it appearing altogether. As you can imagine, it is a very popular procedure!

This treatment is often covered by your medical insurance too. If not, it is very affordable considering how effective it is.

Laser treatment for apthous ulcers is just the kind of treatment we as holistic dentists favor. It is fast, effective, painless and is very targeted without harming the body. Recovery is fast and it needs no sedation or medication. It fulfills most of our criteria for a very effective treatment. If feedback from our patients is anything to go by, it works well too!

If you suffer from recurring canker sores or would like to know more about laser treatment for apthous ulcers, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today.

The post Laser treatment for apthous ulcers appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

However, regardless of the cause, if you suffer from discomfort for any reason that won’t go away, you should schedule an appointment at Aesthetic Family Dentistry right away. We make sure we always have time in our day to handle emergencies, so you’re always welcome here!

As with any medical condition, your first response can seriously impact how you recover. With that in mind, we have put together this quick guide so you know how to handle toothache or a dental emergency before you arrive at our office.

Toothache

Toothache has numerous causes so your actions here are quite limited. If possible, we would always advocate rinsing the mouth with warm water, cleaning your teeth and flossing. Often, the discomfort is caused by something stuck between teeth and this will remove it. Check your teeth in the mirror to check for debris or something stuck.

Pain killers may be suitable if you’re over 16 and not allergic to them. If you do take anything, be sure to tell us when you arrive. Alternatively, a cold compress on the cheek where the tooth hurts can have a settling effect.

Lost or knocked out tooth

If you lose a tooth, your priority is to find the tooth and stop the bleeding. If you can, clean the tooth with warm water and place it back in its socket. If you cannot do this, place the tooth in milk and try to stop the bleeding with a napkin or other soft material until it either stops or you arrive at our office.

Fractured, chipped or damaged tooth

We regard these as a dental emergency as time is critical. The faster we can treat you, the less likely you are to get infection. We also stand a much better chance of saving and repairing the tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress until you can get to us.

Lost filling or crown

Lost fillings are quite common, especially in older people. If your filling falls out, chew a piece of sugar-free gum and place it over the hole to block the nerves and lessen discomfort. If you lose a crown, do your best to find it and keep it safe. See us as soon as possible.

In both cases, it is possible to use an over the counter dental cement as a temporary measure until we can see you.

Other dental emergencies

Your priority is to stop bleeding, prevent further loss or injury and get yourself to a safe place before contacting Aesthetic Family Dentistry. The faster you react, the better chance we have of restoring your situation to exactly how it was before the incident happened.

Contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today for all your dental needs!

The post What to do if you have a toothache or dental emergency appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

This post is all about giving you the information you need to understand toothaches and dental emergencies. We hope it helps.

Toothache

Toothache can be caused by many conditions such as something stuck between teeth, tooth decay, cracked teeth, loose or broken fillings, receding gums, periapical abscess, periodontal abscess, ulcers, sinusitis, TMJ and many more conditions.

With the exception of having something stuck between your teeth, all these situations need expert diagnosis. Many causes will have quick and painless treatments that can remedy the symptoms fast. Occasionally, the cause of the toothache may be more complex. It’s something we would discuss with you at the time.

Dental Emergencies

There are many kinds of dental emergency, from a lost tooth, lost fillings, broken brace, abscess or soft tissue injuries. Whether it is regarded as a true emergency or not depends on how severe it is and how it is impacting your life. If the effects are severe, we would definitely recommend scheduling an emergency appointment with Aesthetic Family Dentistry. It is far better to overreact than to not react in time.

We regard dental emergencies as:

• Severe bleeding or damage to the mouth
• Severe discomfort that stops you doing anything else
• A lost or damaged tooth that will not stop bleeding
• Sudden swellings in the mouth that can often be accompanied by bad odors
• An accident that causes significant discomfort to any region of the jaw or mouth

Many dental emergencies feel or look worse than they actually are. While swift action is important, there is usually no need to panic, to visit the ER or anything of that nature. Simply call us, schedule the appointment and speak to us about immediate care. We can advise what to do over the phone to help contain the situation until you can get to us.

We usually reserve time between scheduled appointments to be able to manage dental emergencies should they arise. It is important to contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry as soon as the situation arises so we can ensure we can see you in time. Once you’re here, we can assess and treat the situation as necessary.

Whatever has caused your dental emergency, you’re in safe hands with Aesthetic Family Dentistry!

The post What you need to know about toothaches and dental emergencies appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

The post What are the Treatment Options for TMJ? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

The post Is Sedation Dentistry Safe? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

The post Does Dental Health Affect Mental Health? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

TMJ can be caused by many things, including:

• Grinding the teeth
• Stress
• Dislocation of the jaw
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

TMJ has multifaceted causes, meaning no one thing alone is thought to cause it but a combination of factors. Your dentist, if familiar with the treatment of TMJ, is the best person to talk to if you think you’re suffering from it.

The symptoms of TMJ include:

• Muscle pain
• Limited jaw movement
• Lockjaw
• Jaw muscle fatigue
• Swelling
• Tenderness in the area
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Earache
• Discomfort when eating or talking
• Migraines
• Ringing in the ears
• Numbness or tingling in the fingertips

Diagnosis of TMJ

Often, the diagnosis of TMJ is initially performed from the symptoms. Any dentist familiar with the treatment or diagnosis can quickly perform basic checks to see if indeed it is TMJ, or something else.

First we do a physical examination and look at the range of motion in your jaw, manipulate the jaw to identify areas of specific pain or discomfort and we listen for problems as you move your mouth around. These are basic tests but can offer an indication of whether you’re suffering from TMJ or something else.

We may also discuss other factors surrounding TMJ, such as your overall health, levels of stress, family history and so on. Further testing may be necessary which could involve a special 3-D  X-ray to get an overview of the mouth and jaw, an MRI to check the joint, CAT scan t look at the bone,  a diagnostic nerve block to see if it is the jaw nerves causing the problem.

We discuss your options with you at our dental surgery before undertaking any of them to ensure you’re fully in the picture about what’s going on and what we’re doing.

As holistic dentists, we look at the whole picture and will offer a range of treatments for TMJ if you are diagnosed as having it. Treatments include dental splints, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, orthodontic procedures and dental procedures only if absolutely necessary.

If you think you’re suffering from TMJ, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.

The post How is TMJ Diagnosed? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

Theona has been suffering from migraine headaches for 18 years.  She has been taking pain medications and “shots” for migraines for 18 years. She has been told that this is something she will have to live with. I was happy to tell Theona that the information she was given was inaccurate. Because of Neuromuscular Dentists, people like Theona, no longer have to suffer with painful migraines.

Neuromuscular Dentistry is the science of dentistry that embodies accepted scientific principles of patho-physiology, anatomy, form and function. NMD truly embodies holistic dentistry principles. Dentists for TMJ objectively evaluate the complex relationship between teeth, temporomandibular joints and the masticatory muscles in order to achieve an occlusion that is based on the optimal relationship between the mandible and the skull — Neuromuscular Occlusion. The goal of the Neuromuscular Holistic Dentist is to relax the muscles controlling jaw position to establish a true physiological rest position upon which treatment considerations are based.

With simple procedures and finding a good comfortable neuromuscular bite position, we capture this comfortable position in putty and transfer the position into plastic (what we call a Neuromuscular Orthotic). On a daily basis we work with two or three patients with neuromuscular related pain issues. Neuromuscular Dentistry can help patients live their lives pain free, drug free and worry free with simple procedures.

Neuromuscular Dentistry saves lives. Whether we are doing Invisilign Orthodontics, Cosmetic Dental Veneers or positioning Dental Implants. A healthy, happy, pain free, functioning jaw position is our primary concern.

The post What is Neuromuscular Dentistry? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

Headache is just one symptom that may be attributable to poor occlusion (or a bad bite).  Other symptoms such as pain or noise in the jaw joint, facial pain, sensitive teeth, difficulty chewing, and neck pain may also be related to your occlusion and should be discussed with your dentist.  There are many types of headaches, however, if they occur with some regularity or have persisted for a long period of time, it is wise to discuss them with your dentist.

The muscles of the temple area of the forehead are the muscles that play an important part in the posturing and closing of the jaw.  If your occlusion (bite) is not right, it can lead to abnormal tension in these muscles and be one of the several possible causes of tension type headaches.  Tension headaches are by far the most common headache and estimated to be the cause of as much as 90% of all headaches!

If the bite is not corrected, the muscles may remain tense for long periods of time.  The contracted muscle does not get a chance to rest and soon suffers from poor circulation, lack of oxygen and accumulation of waste products of metabolism.  The result, headache!

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry we have the latest technology, which allows us to objectively evaluate the state of these muscles and various other factors that may be affecting your bite.  Based on this and other information obtained from your examination we can determine if your bite is a possible cause of headache pain with a high degree of confidence and recommend the appropriate treatment.  Some of the options may include the fabrication of an orthotic which is worn over your teeth, orthodontics or dental restorations to permanently alter your bite to a more relaxed position.

The post Tension Headaches and Toothache appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.