When to See the Dentist

Regular visits to your Atlanta dentist are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If it's been a while, it's likely time to schedule a checkup. It's also time for a visit when certain life changes occur.

TMJ and Methods of Relief

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a common condition that occurs especially during adulthood. The disorder often leads to chronic headaches, facial discomfort, fractured teeth and limited mobility of the jaws. As TMJ often mimics the symptoms of other medical conditions, it is often misdiagnosed, and only well-trained dental professionals are able to recognize the warning signs.

To keep the opening and closing motion of the mouth smooth, a soft cartilage disk lies between the bones of the upper and lower jaws. If the patient exhibits signs of bruxism (teeth grinding) or clenching, the disk loses its elasticity and slowly wears away. To remedy the condition, dentists may recommend bite correction treatments or mouth guards to protect the delicate structure of the mouth.

The Link between Infected Gums and Heart Attack

Tobacco use, diabetes, and poor nutrition— these are just some of the risk factors that gum disease and heart problems have in common. But a significant number of studies have shown that the two are possibly directly related.

Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, occurs when fat deposits and other substances attach themselves to the walls of the arteries, like clogs blocking a drain. These arterial plaques can cause heart attack or stroke if the blood flow is substantially blocked. Take note that the plaque referred to in this instance isn’t the same as the one your dentist scrapes off your teeth.

Easing the Clutches of Dental Phobia in Adults

Being scared to schedule a dental appointment means different things to different people. To some, the thought that the session will hurt is enough for them to want to avoid visiting a dentist as much as possible. To others, the sights, sounds or even smells of the dental equipment and procedures may trigger memories of bad experiences as a kid.

Everything You Need to Know about Invisalign

It wasn't that long ago that the only way to treat crooked or misaligned teeth was with a pair of heavy and uncomfortable metal braces. The creators of Invisalign spent time working on a few different ideas before coming up with a safer and less intrusive way of improving smiles. Invisalign can improve your smile and straighten your teeth while being completely invisible to the naked eye, which means you won't worry about what others think.

TMJ Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment

Open your mouth wide and close it. You could not perform this simple action without the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ). Any issue that gets in the way of the proper operation of the TMJ can result in a painful TMJ disorder.

Overcoming Dental Phobia

When it comes to proper dental health, one would immediately think of regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. There are some people, however, who don’t like going to the dentist and getting treatment due to previous, negative experiences that lead to the development of dental fear or phobia.

Negligence to comply with the different dental maintenance practices could result in serious consequences such as tooth decay, tooth loss, periodontal diseases, and even medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Fortunately, there have been researches on how to alleviate concerned patients and encourage them to visit their dentists again. Here are some facts to keep in mind if you’re planning to overcome your fear of the dentist:

Fear of Dentists: How to Overcome Dental Anxiety

It’s not only kids who have nightmares about sitting in a dentist’s chair; adults also experience dental anxiety. In fact, approximately 15 percent of Americans completely avoid going to the dentist due to this fear. As a result, many aren’t getting the dental care they deserve. Here are a few tips to help overcome your anxiety:

Signs You Might Need a Dental Night Guard

Do you wake up with a sore jaw or a mild headache? Chances are, you might be suffering from bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding. According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 8 percent of American adults suffer from teeth grinding, and while this might be a natural reaction to stress or anxiety, bruxism usually occur during sleep.

Common Teeth Whitening Misperceptions Clarified

Do you want a set of stunning white teeth comparable to that of red carpet stars yet find yourself reluctant to seek treatment because of things you might have heard? Here are some common bleaching treatment misperceptions and the truths behind them.

I don’t need treatment; whitening toothpastes do just as good

Whitening toothpastes work with mild abrasives that remove stains on teeth’s surface. Some contain polishing agents that make teeth shiny. If your teeth is already yellowish, stains may be removed but the dentin’s color remains.

With bleaching treatment, my teeth will be pearly white… forever

Unless you stop eating, your teeth will still be exposed to stains. Bleaching effects are not permanent but they will last longer with proper oral hygiene. This treatment costs relatively low compared to other options, so having it redone is no fuss.