Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint is the joint where mandible meets the skull. This joint involves in the movement of jaw. Temporomandibular joint disorder is the condition in which pain or dysfunctioning of temporomandibular joint occur.

Causes of Temporomandibular joint disorder

• Injury to the temporomadibular joint
• Bruxism - Grinding and clenching teeth puts pressure on jaw
• Finger nail biting
• Arthritis in the temporomandibular joint causes damage to the joint
• Misalignment of teeth
• Previous history of jaw damage or facial bones causes TMJ disorders
• Holding the telephone between head and shoulder leads to TMJ disorder

Symptoms of Temporomandibular joint disorder
Cardinal Symptoms

• Difficulty in jaw movements - While opening and closing of mouth
• Pain and tenderness in jaw
• Changes in the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Clicking sound occur during opening and closing of mouth
• Swelling on the side of face

Common Symptoms

• Headache mainly in the back side of head, forehead
• Loss of hearing sense
• Fullness of ears
• Ear pain
• Dizziness

Diagnosis of Temporomandibular joint disorder
Dentist examine the symptoms of the disorder and use some tests to examine whether any misalignment of temporomandibular joint or not. Diagnosis tests include:

• Physical examination - Dentist physically examines the temporomandibular joint to diagnose the disorder by examining the joint for pain or tenderness, listen the clicking sound while opening and closing of mouth, by examining the biting ability and examining the facial jaw movements.

• X-rays - Panoramic x-rays are taken by dentist to diagnose the TMJ disorder. Panoramic x-ray gives the complete picture of temporomandibular joint, upper and lower jaw and teeth. This helps your dentist to diagnose whether any abnormalities in the temporomandibular joint.

• CT scan - Computer tomography scanning helps in diagnosis of TMJ disorder. Computer Tomography uses X-ray machine attached to the computer. A large ring like device is moved on to the oral cavity. This takes the three dimensional pictures of oral cavity. This gives a detailed picture of bony joint to diagnose TMJ disorder and helps dentist to choose right treatment for this.

• MRI scanning - Magnetic resonance imaging scanning is similar to CT scanning. MRI scanning uses radio waves and magnetic fields to take the picture of oral cavity. This helps you to  view the soft tissue to diagnose the misalignment of jaw.

Teaching Your Kids How to Brush

Does your kid refuse to brush their teeth? If so, here are the tips to teach brushing to your kids. Teaching your kids brushing is an important regimen that improves the oral hygiene. Oral Hygiene helps to prevent tooth decay gum problems and makes teeth and gums healthy.

How to teach your kids brushing?
It is the responsibility of parents to teach their kids brushing. Here are the steps to show how to teach your kids.

• Before teaching how to brush, It is important to tell a story why we need to brush daily?
• Buy them a interesting or his or her favorite fun character brush. This creates interest to do brushing daily.
• Make sure the brush should be small headed with soft bristles. Brush should be changed for every 3-4 months for effective cleaning of teeth.
• Let them to choose his favorite flavor tooth paste and avoid fluoride tooth paste as they swallow tooth paste.
• Moisten the tooth brush before applying tooth paste to remove any dust particles on the tooth brush.
• Apply a pea sized amount of tooth paste on the pre moistened tooth brush.
• Teach them to spit the foam after brushing so they do not swallow it.
• Then, ask your kid to hold the brush against the gums and move the brush back and forth for approximately 20 secs.
• Teach them to repeat the same on inside of the teeth.
• Help them brush covering all the teeth surface.
• Teach them how to brush near the gum line as the area is more prone to decay.
• Then tell to clean the tongue and inside of the cheeks to remove germs.
• During brushing play a rhyme that they like. This helps to do brush effectively.
• Finally, the mouth is rinsed by giving a cup of water.
• Flossing is required to prevent the tooth decay as the food may clog between the teeth. Flossing is very easy as the space between the teeth is more.
• Allow the kids to floss their teeth on own.
• After brushing ask them how their teeth appearing after brushing.
• Teach them to brush daily twice. One before breakfast and another before sleeping in night.

Teaching kids brushing is helps to maintain good oral hygiene and prevents teeth from teeth and gum problems.

Great Reasons to Have Teeth Clean

Regularly following good oral hygiene can help you and your family stay healthy and pain free. This is the reason why it is recommended to have regular dental examinations. Preventive care is the key to good oral health. This article discusses about the reasons for having teeth clean.

1) To prevent gum disease
Gum disease starts with bacterial infection – bacteria in the plaque (white sticky film). If not removed can build up in to tartar (hard calcified layer) which is difficult to remove. The longer the tartar stays on gums (gingiva), the more it will irritate the gums. It can cause inflammation of the gums leading to gingivitis, first stage of gum disease. If this is not treated in its early stage, it can lead to more serious and advanced stage of gum disease called as periodontitis where your gums tissues gets damaged making your teeth loose and eventually may fall out.

2) To prevent bad breath
Bad breath is also called as halitosis which can be caused by poor hygiene, uncleaned tongue, periodontal disease (advanced stage of gum disease), food struck in between the teeth or throat infections.
Good oral hygiene is very important in preventing these conditions and can also prevent bad breath. Regular dental checkups and cleaning are very essential to ensure that you are maintaining good hygiene.

3) To keep your teeth longer
If the gum disease in its early stage is not treated, the bacteria grows deeper and moves further down the tooth root as it advances destroying the jaw bone that supports teeth. This may loosen your teeth and eventually may fall out. That is why it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly as if there are any such symptoms seen by the dentist, it will be treated before it gets more worse.

4) To have brighter smile
Smoking, tobacco chewing, drinking tea, coffee or any dark colored beverages can stain your teeth. Moreover, certain medicines can also make your teeth discolored. Professional cleaning by the dentist can however remove the stains promoting good oral health. Not only the dentist will remove the plaque and tartar but will also polishes your teeth that will make your teeth and smile more beautiful which everyone dreams for.

5) To maintain overall health
Oral health is an important aspect of overall health. According to recent studies, it shows that heart attacks and strokes are linked to gum disease. Although, regular dental cleaning possibly reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Moreover, regular dental visits help in diagnosis of health problem in early stage so that you can undergo appropriate treatment.

Common Dental Problems

Many people suffer from common dental problems. This does not mean having tooth pain or tooth decay, but there might be more than that. You need to be aware of such problems. These problems arise due to negligence in oral hygiene. In this article, we will discuss various dental problems people commonly have.

Six common dental problems
There are various common dental problem which many people are suffering from:

1) Bad breath
Bad breath (halitosis) is a common dental problem which can be very embarrassing. This occurs because when left over tiny food particles are not removed by proper brushing and flossing. But keep a check on it that, if bad breath is consistent, it can be a sign of gum disease or other dental problem. Studies show that about 85 percent of people who suffers from bad breath has bad oral condition. Other dental problems that cause bad breath are cavities, dry mouth, bacteria on the tongue and even oral cancer. It is better to see dentist for ruling out any of these dental problems.

2) Tooth decay
Tooth decay which are also called as cavities is one of the most common dental problem in many people. This occurs when there are left over tiny food particles in the mouth and the bacteria in the mouth reacts with it forming acid. This acid attacks your tooth. Tooth decay is slow process that gradually dissolves the layers of the tooth. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent tooth decay.

3) Gum disease
An infection in the gums that ranges from minor (gingivitis) to more severe (periodontitis), which can even lead to tooth loss. This can be avoided by visiting dentist every six months along with oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing regularly.

4) Erosion of tooth enamel
It can be explained as loss of structure of the tooth (a shiny and hardened layer of the tooth) that is often caused by acid in soda and citrus drinks. Signs of tooth enamel erosion can range from sensitivity of tooth to more serious dental problems. It can be easily prevented by keeping a check on the diet and following good oral hygiene practices.

5) Sensitivity of tooth or teeth
Tooth sensitivity, a common problem affects many people. Tooth sensitivity means discomfort or some pain felt when eating or drinking hot, cold, sweet or sour food and drinks. Some people whose teeth becomes sensitive can experience pain and discomfort even when brushing and flossing the teeth.

6) Mouth sores
There are many types of mouth sores. But unless a mouth sore lasts for more than two weeks, there is nothing to worry about. Common mouth sores are ulcers, canker sores, fever blisters, etc.

Unless you visit the dentist, you may not be aware of dental problem, if any, you have. To confirm, it is important to check with the dentist every six months, and get it treated before it is too late.

Effects of Alcohol on Dental Health

It's known that alcohol consumption causes many health effects in an individual. However, it is even considered to affect the dental health. Alcoholic individuals are uninterested or show negligence in daily and regular oral hygienic routine including brushing and flossing. This causes a common dental problem, plaque formation that is responsible for many other dental issues like gum diseases, tooth decay and tooth loss.

Foods to be Avoided that Cause Bad Breath

Though your smile is perfect with aesthetic teeth, bad odor associated with your mouth is very much irritating to yourself and even others. Bad breath also called as halitosis is the condition representing unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. It is considered that bad breath is much more enhanced with uptake of certain kinds of foods. Some of them are given hereunder.

Caffeine Increasing the Risk of Gum Diseases

Though most of us love to drink coffee, it is necessary to control consuming it. This is to maintain a good oral hygiene. Poor oral health may give rise to various problems like oral cancer, gum diseases and bad breath. Frequent coffee drinking is considered to worsen the oral health. It mainly promotes the risk of gum diseases.

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Related Links:
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Know the Common Causes of Bad Breath

Do you know that, the health of your body is related to your oral health? Many studies have shown the rise of cancer and other serious diseases because of improper oral hygiene. Apart from the common dental problems like infection, decay and tooth loss, bad breath also affects your oral health.

Want to Know Some Ways to Prevent Bad Breath?

Listening to the speech of a good orator or the conversation with your friend is really horrible if it is associated with bad breath. Many people come across this problem but neglect to treat it. However, there are many ways to prevent bad breath or halitosis and make your conversation more interesting.

• A good oral hygiene is a perfect way to prevent bad breath. You should brush your teeth twice a day and replace the toothbrush for every 2 to 3 months. Daily flossing is important to remove plaque and any other food particles struck between your teeth. If you wear dentures, then you should remove them at night and clean thoroughly.
• Do not use breath mints and other mouthwashes which contain alcohol. The mouth gets dried of them providing a more favorable environment for bacteria.
• Avoid smoking and use of tobacco-based products.
• You should consult your dentist at least twice a year for oral examination and professional teeth cleaning. This prevents the chances of dry mouth, periodontal diseases and other problems that may cause bad breath.
• Always keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. You can even chew sugarless gums to increase the flow of saliva.
• Get away from the habit of consuming alcohol and caffeine which can dry the mouth.
• Maintain proper diet and avoid using foods that cause bad breath.

Following these tips regularly helps you to never face the problem of bad breath. Also, consider the suggestions of your dentist to avoid halitosis which in turn improves your oral hygiene.

What Procedures does Cosmetic Dentistry Include?

Dental treatments that enhance the health and beauty of your teeth come under cosmetic dentistry. It includes many procedures that provide aesthetic and functional elements for your teeth. Some of the procedures of a cosmetic dentistry are given here.

Tooth Whitening
The treatment for whitening the discolored or stained teeth is termed as tooth whitening or bleaching. Different bleaching gels containing hydrogen or carbamide peroxide are used in this procedure. The time taken for whitening the teeth depends on the amount of discoloration.