Tuesday, October 26, 2010

What is TMJ?

These days, many dentists are treating TMJ with great success. TMJ is an abbreviated common name for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In general, TMJ is a disorder of the jaw joint. It causes pain with certain movements of the jaw, muscles, ligaments and nerves. TMJ occurs when the jaw joint is worn down, when the joint is injured or when arthritis negatively affects it.

Signs of TMJ include:

• A stiff or tender jaw in the mornings
• Difficulty with opening the mouth
• Pain and swelling of the muscles
• General pain in the jaw that spreads to the ear
• Jaw joint popping or clicking
• Unexplained headaches

Long-term effects of TMJ result in damage to the jaw bone and the muscles that surround it. These damaging affects, combined with the discomfort of TMJ often necessitate the need for intervention. However, in worst case scenarios, people with TMJ can actually experience a type of lock jaw. This happens when a person with TMJ opens their mouth too wide and it gets stuck in that position. To close their mouths, they have to open wider or close their mouths manually.

Over the past several years, the dental industry has made great strides in identifying and treating TMJ. Dentists are able to make the diagnosis of TMJ with a physical examination and an x-ray of the jaw. They understand that TMJ usually occurs when a person’s teeth don’t meet when they bite down – referred to as malocclusion of the teeth. In addition, those who grind their teeth, chew a lot of gum, are stressed out, or are born with an overbite are susceptible to TMJ.

Dentists who treat TMJ use anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing medications to reduce pain, swelling and tight jaw muscles. For those who grind teeth, dentists can make a special bite plate to be worn at night. Surgery is a last resort, only performed in extreme cases of TMJ.

If you need a dentist in Millburn who treats TMJ, contact Dr. Vladimir Gashinsky. You can visit the website of Dr. G at www.drgdds.com. You can also follow Dr. G on Twitter and Facebook.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

How to Treat Gum Disease

A dentist can quickly assess whether a patient has gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. However, there are several symptoms that can raise a red flag for people, including:

• Bad breath that you can't get rid of
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth

Between 75 and 90 percent of Americans are affected by gum disease at one level or another. Many researchers say that the diet of Americans is the major cause of the increasing numbers of periodontal patients.

Periodontitis is often referred to as advanced Gingivitis. It is caused by bacterial plaque (germs on the teeth). This results in inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth, and can cause deep tooth and bone loss. With this in mind, it’s important to manage gum disease with brushing and flossing multiple times a day, along with regular cleanings of the gums.

Preliminary research into the affects of periodontal disease on the human body actually link the disease to an increase risk of heart attack, stroke, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and it has also been linked to pancreatic cancer.

In recent years, holistic dentists have treated gum disease, and then suggested that patients use natural supplements to assist in preventing or reducing the damage caused by gum disease. Research shows that certain nutrients will correct a vitamin deficiency in the body.

The following are supplements used to combat gum disease:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Coenzyme Q10
• Cranberry Juice
• Folic Acid
• Calcium

To find out more about how to prevent and treat gum disease, visit www.drgdds.com. Read about Dr. Vladimir Gashinsky (Dr. G), a holistic dentist in Millburn, New Jersey. You can also follow Dr. G on Twitter and Facebook.