TMJ Awareness Month

TMJ Awareness Month - Easton PA Dentist

TMJ Awareness Month 2021

TMJ Awareness Month is in November! Though TMJ is rather prevalent, many people are misdiagnosed and their symptoms are attributed to other issues. Do you get stress headaches that you can’t explain? Do your shoulders, neck, and jaw hurt when you wake up? It’s possible that you’re having trouble speaking or chewing your meal. TMJ problem is frequently indicated by these symptoms.

It is critical to see a TMJ professional in order to successfully treat TMJ problem. Your Easton PA dentist will work with you to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and that the appropriate treatment is provided.

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important part of allowing you the freedom of movement in your jaw when you are eating and speaking. This joint connects your jaw to your skull, on either side of your head. Also, it functions very much like a hinge to ensure your smooth movement when you eat or speak.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can occur if the joint is injured, eroded, misaligned, or inflamed. When you visit our Easton, PA dental practice, you will be able to get a thorough examination to evaluate the extent of the inflammation or damage to your TMJ.

How Serious is TMJ Disorder?

It can be easy to think that mild discomfort resulting from TMD is not really all that concerning. However, it is important not to ignore any dysfunction of your TMJ. Today’s mild discomfort may turn into tomorrow’s accelerated pain.

Additionally, some of the symptoms that may start to become a concern include the following.

  • Pain in the jaw that makes it difficult to speak or chew
  • Locking in the jaw, which results in difficulty opening and closing your mouth
  • Radiating ear pain, along with tension headaches and migraines
  • Stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulders

Discussing these concerns with your family dentist in Easton, PA, patients will learn is a good way to get to the bottom of your discomfort.

The Causes of TMD

Dr. Moghadam says there could be several contributing factors to TMJ disorder. Also, you may have just one concern factoring into your TMD discomfort or more than one that could be pinpointed as being an area of concern.

  • An injury to the TMJ 
  • High levels of stress
  • Bite misalignment, or orthodontic treatment to correct misalignment
  • Bruxism
  • Arthritis or other illnesses

It is best to address concerns in their earliest stages, to avoid minor discomfort from becoming a major disruption to your quality of life.

Solutions for TMJ Pain

If you have been living with the symptoms of TMD, and have been misdiagnosed, your dentist 18042 will recommend a solution that meets your needs. Our friend Dr. Beth Herko, a family dentist in New Providence, says it is important to treat the root cause of your TMD and not just treat the symptoms that you are experiencing.

Treatment could include jaw exercises, reductions in stress, and even a mouth guard that repositions your jaw while you are asleep.

When it comes to your dental needs, you can rely on us to find the right solution. Contact College Hill Dental Group to learn more about how TMD treatments can improve your life.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

National Brush Day

National Brush Day - College Hill Dental Group

Happy National Brush Day from Your Easton, PA Dentists

National Brush Day is observed each year on the 1st day of November, the day right after Halloween. Our patients will learn this is one of our favorite holidays to recognize. This spooky day is known for traditionally being the day where the most candy is consumed by children and adults alike. National Brush Day started in 2012 to bring awareness to both children and parents about just how poor dental health can take a serious toll on their overall health. 

At our Easton, PA dental practice, we love to see our patients with a healthy smile. National Brush Day serves as a great opportunity to schedule the annual checkup and professional dental cleaning for every member of the family. So, we’ve gathered these brushing tips to help keep every member of the family smiling beautifully.

Just Two Minutes, Twice a Day

Teeth should be brushed in the morning and in the evening before bed. It is important to brush teeth for a full two minutes. Any less is generally not effective enough to remove the plaque and food debris on and between the teeth. At College Hill Dental Group, we recommend using a timer to track the two minutes. Additionally, try playing fun songs about tooth brushing to encourage children to stick with those two minutes.

Your Brushing Technique is Important

So, are you using the right technique to brush your teeth? Believe it or not, many of us are not.

  • Hold the soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
  • Using gentle and short strokes, move the brush back and forth.
  • Brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces.
  • Tilt the toothbrush vertically and use up and down strokes to clean the inside areas of teeth.
  • Also, be sure to brush your tongue as it can accumulate bacteria that contribute to bad breath.

Don’t forget that your home oral hygiene routine is just one part of your dental wellness. You will need to floss, use mouthwash, ensure your diet is balanced, stay hydrated, and of course, visit with your dentist every six months.

Selecting a New Toothbrush

What better day of the year to remind you that it is important to get a new toothbrush every few months. As your Easton, PA family dentist, we recommend that you select a soft-bristled toothbrush for every member of the family. Furthemore, children’s toothbrushes should be ultra-soft bristled and should be the right size for their mouths.

Ideally, Dr. Moghadam says you should replace your toothbrush every three months. Some prefer to wait to replace their brushes after their six-month checkup or professional cleaning. As your 18042 dentists, we do suggest that you replace your new toothbrush before the bristles start to show signs of wear. Our friends at Digital Doc, the #1 digital dental sensor provider, agrees that a damaged toothbrush is not going to be very effective at cleaning your teeth.

It is important to take care of dental concerns when they first become recognizable. The longer your dental problems go without being treated, the more likely you’ll end up visiting an emergency dentist in Easton, PA. So, schedule checkups and professional cleanings for the whole family with College Hill Dental Group today!