Tag: dentist

Lower Your Risk for TMJ Disorders

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Do you ever feel like your oral health has let you down? Does your jaw constantly cause you pain beyond the point to which your mouth can function properly? The truth is that you may have a temporomandibular disorder, also called a TMJ.  Fortunately, you can lower your risk for TMJ disorders by protecting your mouth properly. However, due to the highly complex nature of TMJs, you could still suffer an ailment.

If you should suffer from a TMJ disorder, take the time to care for your jaw as best you can until a visit to your dentist can be made. Typically, your jaw will best function with the help of ice packs for inflammation and heat packs for pain. If your TMJ disorder is caused by another disorder such as bruxism, try using night guards and bite pads to help alleviate some pressure off of your jaw.

Meditation also helps alleviate pain associated with TMJ disorders. There are many forms to try using, including soothing music, soft biofeedback techniques, and yoga. If medication is necessary, be sure it has been approved by your dentist. Also try to cut back on habits that can cause your jaw more pain including eating hard foods, biting your nails, and chewing gum.

If you would like to set up an appointment to discuss your possible TMJ treatment with Dr. Michael Long or Dr. Matthew Thurman at [practice_name], please call [phone] to set up a visit to our dentist office in [city], [state]. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted!

Oral Hygiene Tips for Pregnant Women Who Want the Best Oral Health and Smile Possible

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Unfortunately, pregnancy can take a toll on your teeth and gums, which means your smile is vulnerable to many dental issues if you have a bun in the oven. However, there are things you can do each day to keep your smile in tip-top shape. Those things are:

–Keep up on oral hygiene: It’s important to clean your smile regularly. So, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, floss your smile once a day, and rinse your mouth daily. Doing these things can keep your teeth and gums clean and pristine and can also prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

–Eat a balanced diet: Having a balanced and healthy diet is vital for your teeth during pregnancy. So, please do your best to eat enough fruits and vegetables and avoid snacking throughout the day. If this is difficult because of morning sickness, feel free to talk to Dr. [doctor_name] and ask for any tips [heshe] might have.

–Visit your dentist: It’s important to visit your dentist every six months, especially because gum disease is more prevalent in pregnant women. This is often the case because the bacteria that create plaque and tartar are bolstered during pregnancy. So, make sure you visit Dr. [doctor_name] twice a year so [heshe] can remove the plaque and tartar from your smile. Also, please remember to mention your pregnancy to the staff when you come to the office.

–Control your smile’s exposure to acid: Unfortunately, morning sickness can cause terrible harm to your teeth. This is because your vomit has high amounts of acid. The acid tends to cling to the teeth and erode the enamel, promoting tooth decay and sensitivity. So, please rinse your mouth with water and a teaspoon of baking soda. This can help keep the acid from attacking your teeth.

If you keep up on oral hygiene, maintain a healthy diet, visit your dentist, and care for your smile, you’ll be on your way toward the best smile and oral health possible. For more information about these provided tips and about how to take care of your smile while you’re pregnant in [city], [state], please call [practice_name] at [phone] at your earliest convenience. Our dental team will be more than happy to help you in any way we can, and we look forward to your phone call!

Have Trouble Flossing? Oral Irrigation Can Help!

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While flossing is a healthy part of good oral hygiene, not everyone likes to do it or makes the time. It can be challenging when you are unfamiliar with how to properly floss, or when you are using the wrong flossing products. If you are one of these people, our dental team is happy to help!

If you find yourself shirking your flossing routine, we recommend using an oral irrigator, or water flosser. These are small, hand-held wands that spray water out of the top of the tool. The water comes out in pulses and it effectively cleans your teeth.

How to Use an Oral Irrigator

  • Make sure the base, also known as the reservoir, is filled with lukewarm water. Select the tip you would like to use, and adjust the pressure control to the level you prefer.
  • Lean over the sink and press the tip of the water flosser in your mouth. Close your lips around the tip and turn the unit on. It’s important to keep your lips tight around the flosser.
  • Start by rinsing between your back teeth and pause briefly at every crevice. When cleaning aim the flosser tip just above the gumline at a 90-degree angle.
  • When you are done washing the food particles and plaque from between your teeth, turn the unit off and then press the “Tip Eject” button to remove the tip.

Why Use an Oral Irrigator

  • Evidence proves that it is an effective way to deeply clean the crevices of your smile.
  • It is easy to use.
  • It effectively removes plaque and other harmful substances from your teeth.
  • It deeply cleans the pockets in your mouth.
  • It thoroughly cleans around braces and other orthodontic appliances.
  • It is safe and gentle.
  • It reduces your chances of having periodontal disease.

We want you to have the best oral health possible, which is why we recommend cleaning your smile each day with an oral irrigator in [city], [state]. If you have any questions about this tool or if you would like to know more about oral hygiene and its many benefits, call our office today at [phone] and schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. [doctor_name]. Our entire team looks forward to hearing from you!

Dental Veneers: What You Should Know

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Many people consider having a beautiful smile extremely important. For instance, if your smile isn’t as bright as you might like, you could consider teeth whitening. If you’re interested in improving the color of your teeth, you may also want to consider using dental veneers. Did you know that veneers can actually offer a number of other benefits?

Dental veneers are a thin shell, typically made of porcelain or a composite resin, that is custom made to cover flawed teeth. Veneers can be used to fix a number of issues, such as chipped, stained, worn, misaligned, uneven, or abnormally spaced teeth. These veneers are bonded to your teeth, making them extremely sturdy.

Even though veneers are sturdy, you’ll need to care for them. Naturally, you’ll need to brush and floss as you normally would—just please remember to brush gently and to use a brush with soft bristles. We also recommend using a non-abrasive toothpaste, and you may consider speaking with our dentist before choosing the best toothpaste for you. Finally, if you have dental veneers, please don’t misuse your teeth by biting your nails or chewing on pens or ice.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of dental veneers, we recommend contacting [practice_name] at [phone]. Dr. [doctor_name] and our team will be happy to examine the health of your teeth and offer you any advice you need. We’re excited to hear from you soon!

Flossing is Vital to Oral Health

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Did you know, brushing without flossing, is like clearing the dishes from the table without wiping down the table? If you think about it, flossing is the key factor to keeping your teeth clean. For example, brushing your teeth is great for cleaning the sides and of your teeth. Flossing scrubs each tooth and along the gumline, removing food particles and plaque between each tooth as you go. That is why flossing is essential to great oral health.

To help you find a floss that’s right for you, our team at [practice_name] in [city], [state], is here to give you different kinds of floss. These kids include:

-Unwaxed floss: Unwaxed floss is a traditional kind of floss. They are great to use if you have a little space between your teeth.
-Waxed floss: Waxed floss is popular when your teeth are closer together. The wax helps the floss slide between the teeth and along the gumline easier.
-Water flosser: A water flosser has become extremely popular. This flosser forces water between your teeth and along your gum line, similar to a pressure washer. This is also a popular option.
-Dental picks: Dental picks are convenient for many because you don’t have to wind the floss around your fingers. They are easy to use and can go gently between your teeth to remove plaque and food particles.

With so many options to choose from, flossing has never been easier. If you still have questions about your oral health, please call us today at [phone]. Our friendly staff is happy to take your call.

How to Treat a Cracked Tooth

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Have you ever bitten into one of your favorite foods and heard a crack? As you can probably know—or can at least guess—this can be an extremely unpleasant experience. Sadly, many people feel that they can wait to have this problem addressed, but we recommend looking for treatment immediately.

Sadly, a cracked tooth could be caused by a cavity. If this is the case, you’ll probably have to cover the weakened tooth with a crown. You see, if you don’t care for a cracked tooth, your crack could slowly extend to the root of your tooth. Once this happens, you’ll be more vulnerable to infection, sensitivity, and even tooth decay.

However, while visiting a dentist as soon as possible is important, you may need to wait a few days. Luckily, there are a few things you can do at home to alleviate any discomfort while you wait. For instance, you could place gauze on the cracked tooth or apply a cold pack to your cheek to alleviate pain and swelling. You may also consider using dental cement, which you should be able to find at your local drugstore.

When you do visit our dentist, we’ll assess the state of your mouth and offer you any personalized advice you need. Sometimes, for a minor crack, you’ll just need to have your tooth smoothed out. At other times, our team will fill the crack with specialized filling material. More serious breaks may need root canal therapy and will usually be covered by a crown.

Do you have more questions about the causes of a cracked tooth—or about how you may be able to address the problem? Are you interested in learning more about the care you can receive from our team? Would you simply like to schedule an appointment with Dr. [doctor_name]? If so, we invite you to give [practice_name] a call a [phone]. We’re eager to hear from you!

Can You Keep Your Mouth Clean Without Toothpaste?

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What do you do to keep up your oral health? Do you make a point of brush and floss every day? If so, good for you—but what would you do if you found your toothpaste tube empty one day and weren’t able to get more right away? As you can probably guess, you shouldn’t just avoid brushing. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do in a pinch.

Mouthwash is one option you should consider. As you may know, mouthwash can fight off cavities, bad breath, gingivitis, and even wash away food particles. However, please remember that, while using mouthwash is better than nothing, please don’t plan on replacing brushing.

Similarly, if you find yourself out of toothpaste and mouthwash, you can also rinse out your mouth with hydrogen peroxide. However, please remember to mix the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Also, please do not swallow hydrogen peroxide. If you would like to brush, you can also use baking powder—which is a safe alternative that is also included in many toothpastes.

However, if you aren’t interested in any of these options, you could also try chewing on a mint or on chewing gum. You see, chewing gum can help because chewing promotes saliva production. As you may know, saliva is actually vital to the health of your mouth, as it gets rid of bad bacteria. If you don’t have chewing gum handy, you can also chew on herbs such as mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Finally, to enjoy a healthy smile, please remember to visit a dentist once every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup. If you would like to learn more, or are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. [doctor_name], please don’t hesitate to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We will gladly answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thrush: The Infection That Can Harm Your Smile

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There are many dental issues in the world today that can take over your smile and alter your oral health, and one of those issues is thrush.

Thrush in [city], [state], is a dental issue that typically begins when stress, illnesses, or medication disrupt the balance of bacteria and microorganisms in your mouth. When this happens, your oral fungus, also known as candida fungus, grows out of control.

These are the causes, symptoms, and treatments of thrush:

Causes

The causes of thrush generally include:

-Medications, like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and birth control pills

-Stress

-Illnesses or medical situations, like uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, cancer, dry mouth, and hormonal changes during pregnancy

Symptoms

The main symptom of thrush is the appearance of a creamy white lesion on the inside of your mouth. The lesion will appear suddenly and persist for a long period of time. It might be painful and it might bleed when you scrape it or brush your teeth.

Treatments

Sometimes prescribed medication, like antifungal medication, is needed to treat thrush. Your dentist will also provide a specific treatment that is designed for your age and cause of infection. However, sometimes thrush is caused by other medical issues. If this is the case for you, you will need to visit your physician.

To learn more about thrush, please call [practice_name] at [phone]. We also encourage you to schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. [doctor_name], if you’ve noticed any signs leading to thrush. We are here to help you in any way we can, and we look forward to hearing from you!

How to Treat a Toothache

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Toothaches are painful, inconvenient, and bothersome. If you are currently suffering from this nuisance, our [practice_name] team has some tips for you! There are things you can do to relieve your toothache, and those things are:

-Step No. 1: Thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Swish it around for about a minute or so.

-Step No. 2: The ache might be caused by food that is stuck between your teeth. So, use floss and clean between each crevice of your smile.

-Step No. 3: If your mouth is swollen, reduce the swelling with an ice pack. Place the pack outside the area for 30-minute intervals.

-Step No. 4: Please feel free to take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve your pain. However, please do not put the medication directly against the gums above the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.

-Step No. 5: If these tips do not help you and the ache continues for a couple of days, please do your best to see your dentist as soon as possible. There may be a major dental issue causing the problem.

If you would like to know more about toothaches in [city], [state], and why they occur, please call [phone] today and schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. [doctor_name]! Our team is more than happy to help you know more about toothaches so you can achieve the comfort and health you deserve.

Is Dental anxiety keeping you from Necessary Treatment?

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Welcome to the dental practice of Dr. Michael Long and Dr. Matthew Thurman, where we strive to give the best quality care to our patients in the most relaxed and comfortable environment as possible. We understand that some patients feel anxiety about receiving dental treatment. Dental anxiety is actually a common phenomenon and because we want our patients to have the best possible experience while they are with us we work with them to have the best experience possible.

Dental anxiety can stem from a variety of factors, including a fear of experiencing pain, either because of a previous negative experience, or from hearing others share their stories of an unpleasant experience. Some people are afraid of receiving injections or that the injection won’t work properly. Others fear the side effect of anesthesia, and one of the most common fear is that of not being in control while sitting through a procedure, feeling vulnerable and helpless.

Dr. Michael Long and Dr. Matthew Thurman work hard to provide you with quality dental care in a safe, calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are things we can do to help you feel comfortable during your treatment. First, rest assured that you are not alone, so please let us know that you are experiencing anxiety. We are happy to discuss ways to help you relax, and ease your tension. We can explain what will happen as the procedure unfolds, so that you know exactly what to expect next. We can also work out a signal to let us know you need us to stop for a moment, like raising your arm to let us know you need to take a breath, or rinse or spit.

Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from receiving the care you need. To schedule your next visit with one of our dentists, please call our team at [phone] today. Dr. Michael Long and Dr. Matthew Thurman are here to help you have your best dental experience yet.