Best Exercises for TMJ Pain Relief

You use your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for your small daily tasks, such as speaking, biting, chewing, yawning, swallow, and more. You are using it every day, almost all day; therefore, it is essential to have it healthy.

The Temporomandibular Joint

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the articulation that connects your jaw with your temporal bone. If you have a problem with it, then you are experiencing temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

These disorders can include odd noises and severe pain. You should look for TMJ treatment near you if you feel any discomfort in the area. We have a team of experts in our dental clinic in West Edmonton that will give you professional advice and guide you through any treatments.

Causes of TMD

Some of the reasons why you might need TMJ treatment in West Edmonton are the following:

• Jaw or teeth injury.
• Head or neck muscle problems.
• Arthritis.
• Parafunctional habits, such as bruxism (the excessive grinding of your teeth and jaw).
• Daily stress.

TMD Symptoms

If you experience one or more of the symptoms below, we suggest you look for a dental clinic near you that offers TMD treatment.

• Pain in your face, jaw, neck, ear, or a combination of them.
• Clicking sound while you open or close your mouth.
• Tired face
• Severe toothaches
• Ringing in the ear
• Locking of the jaw when you open your mouth
• Swelling

Best Exercises for TMJ Pain Relief

The following exercises will help you relax the jaw, strengthen its muscles, and increase its range of motion. Let’s see.

1.   Relaxed Jaw

Place your tongue gently on your mouth’s roof, and slowly make your teeth come apart while you relax your jaw.

2.   Partial Opening

Put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Then, place a finger in your jaw joint and another on your chin. You will drop your mandible halfway, and close. You may also do this exercise by placing your pointer fingers on each TMJ (in front of your ears) as you drop the mandible.

Do it at least six sets a day, six times in each.

3.   Full Opening

With your tongue and fingers in the same position as above, drop your mandible all the way, and close. The frequency is the same as before; six times each set, six sets a day.

4.   Chin Tuck

The main benefit of this exercise is that it will strengthen the front of your neck muscles. With your chest up, tuck your chin, and hold the position for three seconds. Repeat ten times.

5.   Resisted Opening

Put your thumb below your chin. Open your mouth slowly while you apply pressure with your thumb to add resistance. Hold the opening for five seconds, and then return.

6.   Tongue Up

Placing the tip of it on the top of your mouth, open and close your mouth.

Pain Medication

If the pain is too severe, you may manage it by taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. Your doctor might also prescribe you muscle relaxants.

Other Recommendations

• If you grind your teeth, use a mouth guard.
• Apply ice packs for periods up to 15 minutes every hour. Keep a layer of clothing or a towel between your skin and the ice.
• Apply warm towels where it hurts.

Don't Do TMJ Exercises in Pain

It is essential to know that you must wait until your pain has decreased to start doing any of the exercises described in this blog.

If the pain gets worse after doing the exercises, stop, and contact a dentist as soon as possible.

How to Pick the Right Fillings for Your Teeth

Dental fillings are probably the first dental procedure a person undergoes. As their name suggests, they fill a cavity and restore the tooth. If you have tooth decay, a dentist near you will remove the infected tissue, and fill it. It will be as if nothing ever happened.

Thanks to modern dentistry, dental fillings can be tooth-colored for a natural look. Nobody will notice that you had a cavity; in fact, after a while, you probably won’t distinguish where the filling was placed.

But this was not always the case; before modern dentistry, fillings were not as aesthetic. Let’s go back in time to see how they evolved.

The oldest filling goes back around 13.000 years, and it was made of a black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons, known as Bitumen. You may be familiarized with it because it is now used to asphalt roads and roofing.

More recently, in the 1900s, amalgams were the most popular filling. Sure, they were not tooth-colored, and the mercury was not that bonded, but it was the dental restorative material of choice due to its low cost, ease of application, strength, and durability.

Later on, fillings were completely transformed, thinking of what was best for the patient. Amalgams, for example, were chemically bonded to reduce the concentration of mercury and avoid damaging people’s health. Thanks to modern dentistry, dental fillings in Edmonton are much safer and less invasive.

At present, people prefer dental fillings that match their adjacent teeth color and not so much the silver ones; however, we will discuss all of them so you can have better criteria if you are looking for dental fillings near you.

Amalgam

It is a metal filling that contains a mixture of copper, tin, silver, and zinc. It also contains mercury, which is why some people get concerned about its usage in dentistry; however, as we mentioned above, they are now better bonded to other metals to reduce the amount of mercury.

Amalgams are very resistant and inexpensive. They are not aesthetic, but they are a good option if you want a budget-friendly option.

Composite

These don’t have the long durability of amalgams, but they can be tooth-colored; hence, patients like that they can have a natural look after the trip to the dentist. On the downside, if the cavity is extremely large, they won’t work because they cannot withstand severe occlusal forces.

Composite fillings consist of a mixture of acrylic resin and powdered glass.

Gold

Yes, gold can be used to fill a dental cavity. It is a very expensive material, and our dentist in Edmonton will need more than one appointment to place it, but it is still an option in modern dentistry. On the plus side, it can last up to two decades.

Porcelain

It is a durable material that can also be tooth-colored for a natural look. It is resistant and not as expensive as gold. However, it is still pricey, but it’s worth the investment if you don’t have enough tooth structure for a composite filling.

Resin

They are made of a ceramic and plastic compound, and they are known as white fillings because they mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. Nowadays, they are the most popular fillings to restore a small to a moderate cavity.

No one solution fits all when it comes to dental fillings. It will depend on your wants and needs, and how big or small the cavity is. Along with our specialists, you will determine the best option for you.

If you have any other questions regarding the treatments we offer, don’t hesitate to call us.

Have TMD?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the articulation of the jaw and the temporal bone of the cranium. Thanks to it, we can open and close our mouths, since it lets us move the jaw up and down, and also side to side, for talking, chewing, yawning, and more.

If you have a problem with any of these structures, you have a temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

But why would you suffer TMD? Let’s review some of the causes: 

  • An injury to the jaw or teeth.
  • An injury to the muscles of your head and neck.
  • Arthritis.
  • Excessive grinding of teeth (bruxism).
  • Stress.
  • Chewing on gum.

The temporomandibular joint syndrome causes severe pain and discomfort to people who suffer from it. Pain can be unilateral or bilateral, and it can also manifest through other symptoms.

TMD Symptoms

  • Severe pain in many parts of your body, such as your face, jaw joint area, shoulders, and neck.
  • Pain around your ear when you are eating, speaking, or when you open your mouth.
  • Your jaw gets locked when you open your mouth.
  • Clicking sounds in the jaw joint when you open and close your mouth.
  • Swelling on your face.
  • Abnormalities when you chew and bite.
  • A tired feeling in your face.
  • Toothaches.
  • Constant headaches and neck aches.
  • Hearing problems or ringing in the ears.

As you can tell, suffering from TMD can be really uncomfortable. It harms our daily activities, such as eating and talking, and it causes annoying sensations and pain.

If you are looking at TMD treatment near you, you might have seen that massage is an excellent therapy to ease the symptoms of this syndrome. Look no further for a more detailed explanation.

TMD Treatment in Edmonton

Our dentist in Edmonton will recommend massaging the joint to alleviate the tension. Massage therapy reduces tension and helps our bodies to relax. When you get a massage, you have a feeling of wellness and comfort that makes you want to get another one as soon as possible.
The same happens with your jaw joint. If you have tension in that area that is keeping you from doing daily tasks, a massage will relieve the TMD, and you will have a better quality of life.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

  • Reduction of muscle tension.
  • Improvement of circulation.
  • Reduction of stress hormones.
  • Relaxation.
  • Better mobility and flexibility.

You Can Massage Your Jaw Joint

When you think of getting massage therapy, you think of a place with a massage table and a therapist, and relaxing music. However, you don’t need much to massage your jaw joint and muscles as they are small and don’t require much pressure.

To begin, place your index and middle finger in the jaw joint, and start making circular movements. You will likely experience some pain when you start to apply pressure to the area. After a while, the pain will reduce, and you will feel better. Also, move your jaw from side to side for better results. Keep in mind that the more you massage it, the better the results will be.
If you have any other questions related to TMD, contact a dentist near you that can clarify any doubts you may have. Remember that this article does not intend to replace a consultation visit with a specialized dentist and that it is always best to seek professional help if you are having any form of pain.

Here at Westside Family Dental, we have a team of caring professionals that will be looking forward to helping you with any pain or concern. Feel free to contact us and schedule an appointment when it is most convenient for you.

5 Things Nobody Told You About Wisdom Teeth

Ah, wisdom teeth. We hear about them and the first thing that comes to our minds is that we need to extract them, right? Nowadays, there is little reason to keep them; however, anthropologists believe that they were very useful to our prehistoric ancestors who consumed rough foods such as stalk plants, seeds, nuts, and sticks.

The reason why wisdom teeth are likely to be removed is that they do not develop normally in most case scenarios; on the contrary, they tend to stick and impact within your jaw. Also, since they are located at the very back of the mouth, it becomes more difficult to clean them, which can result in the development of cavities.

If you happen to have a gum disorder or an oral infection and you believe it’s due to your wisdom teeth, you can look out for wisdom teeth removal near you before the problem gets more serious.

And if you want to learn some facts about wisdom teeth, you can keep on reading.

Wisdom Teeth Details You Probably Didn’t Know About

1. The Reason Why It’s Called a Wisdom Tooth.

Their accurate name for wisdom teeth is “third molars”; however, people refer to them as wisdom teeth. The reason for this is due to their emergence time -when people are no longer kids and have more wisdom.

2. Wisdom Tooth and Fortune

Two misconceptions involve wisdom teeth and fortune; one of them is that an extracted wisdom tooth is a lucky charm, the second one is that if your wisdom teeth emerge long-overdue, then you will have a long life.

3. Wisdom Teeth and Wisdom

Some people believe that wisdom teeth, as their name suggests, might make them wiser. However, it is not that the teeth provide you with wisdom, though it’s true that they emerge at an age where people have more ingenious.

4. Wisdom Teeth and Genetics

Multiple experts have concluded that not everybody develops wisdom teeth. There are plenty of studies suggesting that a genetic transformation took place years ago, resulting in many people being born without wisdom teeth. If you are one of them, consider yourself fortunate.

5. Can You Develop Less Than Four Wisdom Teeth?

As we stated above, you should consider yourself lucky if you did not develop your wisdom teeth; however, there are other cases where people develop them, but not all four. So the answer is yes, you can be missing one wisdom tooth or even all four.

There is nothing in particular about how they emerge; typically, they come in all the same, between the ages of 17 and 21, though sometimes they can emerge when you are a little older than that. They can make your mouth feel very sore; many people know they are coming in because they start feeling pain in the back of their mouths.

Although every case is different, the truth is that third molars usually cause soreness. If this is your case, you should look for wisdom teeth removal in Edmonton to avoid the pain.

Besides soreness, they can allow food to become trapped when they come in the wrong position, which is another problem because bacteria grow easily in such conditions.

Third molars that have partially come through also give bacteria a place to enter the gums, creating an infection in time and leading to pain and swelling in your jaw. If you are experiencing this unpleasant situation, you should visit a dental clinic near you.

Wisdom teeth can cause many other changes in your mouth; therefore, you can visit our dental office in Edmonton so our professionals can determine if you should have them removed.

Will My Wisdom Teeth Be a Problem?

When growing up as a young adult, the last four of your permanent teeth to pop out are the third molars. These teeth are also known as wisdom teeth. In some cases, wisdom teeth erupt in the wrong positions. When wisdom teeth problems start to come along, it is recommended that they are removed promptly. If you live in Edmonton, you should not hesitate to get in touch with any dentist in Edmonton for a remedy. 

A crooked wisdom tooth can cause terrific pain. It is therefore prudent that you have it removed as soon as possible. This is when your wisdom tooth becomes a problem. The pain becomes unbearable and the only option left is to seek wisdom tooth removal in Edmonton. To help you solve any wisdom teeth issues that may erupt, read on, and grasp all that you need to know about wisdom teeth.

Is removal always necessary?

It often the best option to remove a wisdom tooth if it is impacted. This will certainly help you to prevent oral complications that may occur from an impacted wisdom tooth. However, the wisdom teeth that do not cause pain or cannot be associated with gum disease don’t need to removed. If the wisdom tooth comes out of the gum in an upright position, it is in a normal or natural state and should be spared. The only circumstance that warrants removal is an impacted tooth that is causing pain and discomfort. If you prefer to keep your wisdom teeth, it is advisable that you clean and floss them thoroughly and make regular visits to a dentist office near you.

Surgical Removal: How to Resolve Wisdom Teeth Issues

The procedure of treating impacted wisdom teeth begins with an X-ray at a dental clinic. After the dentist interprets the X-ray, they will decide and recommend the best course of action. If the last resort to solve the problem is to remove the tooth, then the medical procedure of removal kicks off. Some impacted wisdom teeth are likely to be difficult to treat or may increase surgical risk. In this case, the dentist is likely to ask you to see an oral surgeon and discuss the best resolution.

If you have to undergo oral surgery in any dental clinic in Edmonton, the extraction is done as an outpatient procedure. The process includes:

• Sedation or anesthesia – this is where the dentist administers local anesthesia that numbs your mouth. The dentist may use sedation anesthesia that depresses your consciousness or general anesthesia which makes you lose consciousness.
• Tooth removal – during an extraction, the dentist, or oral surgeon makes an opening in your gums to remove any bone blocking access to the impacted tooth root. After removing the tooth, the wounds are closed with stitches. 

Managing asymptomatic wisdom teeth

Asymptomatic wisdom teeth are impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing symptoms or apparent dental problems. If you have an asymptomatic wisdom tooth, you should visit a dental office in Edmonton and discuss the best way to live with it. That is if you do not need its removal. Even so, most dentists will recommend that removal is the best thing before future potential problems.  

If you are experiencing pain or other dental problems that indicate an impacted wisdom tooth, visit us at Westside Family Dental as soon as possible. Our expert dentists are always ready to help you resolve your wisdom teeth problems. Remarkably, removal is easy, affordable, and safe!

What Is a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric in dentist West Edmonton specializes in providing dental treatment to children and infants as well as those who have special needs. They are required to complete 2-3 years of training after completing their dental education.

Every child’s oral health is unique. Pediatric dentists must have different approaches to assist the child in finding a successful personalized treatment plan. They should design a treatment plan according to the parental preference, intellectual and emotional development of the child, their dental needs, as well as their health needs.

What Do Pediatric Dentists at a Dental Clinic Near You Do?

Pediatric dentists are expected to complete a particular dentistry course that focuses on children that require gentle care. After graduating from a dental school, they will need to go through years of training. It will involve orthodontic treatment training and hospital training. Pediatric dentists at a dental clinic in West Edmonton also need to work closely with a pediatrician and our general dentist. Patients who need specialized oral treatment can guarantee that they can connect with a dental expert that completed the advanced training requirement.

Oral Health Training and Education

Since pediatric dentists need to deal with patients who have new teeth, it is necessary to place a significance on oral health training and education. Their duties are not only mainly focused on educating the patients but also their parents on how they can maintain optimal dental health. The main goal of the pediatric dentist in Edmonton is to encourage children to develop healthy habits that they will follow once they become adults. For instance, they can instruct the parents on the proper techniques to brush their teeth. By adopting proper habits, they can lower their risk of teeth and gum diseases. Dentists will also educate them on the different treatment options as well as the risks and the benefits of dental procedures before they are performed.

Preventative Treatment and Diagnosis

Since children still do not have the skills to brush their teeth properly, they will be prone to different oral problems. The pediatric dentist in West Edmonton can provide them with preventive measures like a dental cleaning. Additionally, they offer fluoride applications and dental sealant services to prevent the development of tooth decay and cavities. They also have the skills and experience to conduct an accurate diagnosis. They can perform X-rays or digital imaging to determine possible problems and apply the necessary treatment.

Other Dental Treatment

Pediatric dentists at a dental clinic in West Edmonton specialize in treating a range of standard or complex oral health issues among kids. They can find a solution for tooth sensitivity, repair broken teeth, extract teeth, or fill cavities.

Sometimes, they may need to administer anesthesia, especially when conducting an invasive procedure on children. They can also write prescriptions for medications such as antibiotics and identify the situation when the surgical process or orthodontic work is needed. For instance, some pediatric dentists can determine if the child will need a 2-phase orthodontic treatment and will refer them to an orthodontist.

Treatment and prevention are the main focus of a pediatric dentist in Edmonton. Those who are working in hospitals and dental schools are also conducting studies and researches on how to develop treatment methods and preventive measures to preserve the oral health of children. To prepare your child for their first-ever visit to a pediatric dentist, you can find plenty of information online to make this process as smooth as possible. You may also want to consider touring the pediatric dental office with your child before their first visit.

What Should I Expect During a Tooth Extraction Procedure?

Dentists and oral surgeons may conduct tooth extraction due to a range of valid reasons. The need for tooth extraction could be caused by having severely damaged teeth or due to complications related to your wisdom teeth. There are also instances when the dentist will perform a tooth extraction in West Edmonton to create some space for your braces or dental prosthesis. However, if you have a more complex problem, only an oral surgeon can carry out the operation.

A Complete Guide on Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is the process of removing the patient’s teeth for reasons such as preparing for dental braces and prosthesis, preventing complications of wisdom teeth, dealing with a dental infection, gum disease, and cavities. Your dental clinic may categorize tooth extraction into two types: simple and surgical. Surgical extractions are complicated and will usually involve the removal of bone and gum tissue. Wisdom teeth removal in Edmonton is a standard or straightforward procedure that can be completed by your dentist near you.

Preparation

To start, the patient will undergo a consultation with the oral surgeon or the dentist at the
dental clinic near you before the tooth extraction procedure. The dentist will be looking at the medical history of the patient. They will ask you some essential questions, such as if you are taking any medications or supplements to better understand your health history. The dentist may instruct you to start or stop taking some medication prior to the procedure. The drug that the dentist will prescribe will depend upon the amount of bone, gum tissue, and teeth that they will be removing. They may also administer some drugs during the tooth extraction procedure.

Remember that you need to inform your dentist in advance if you are taking blood-thinning medicine since it will prevent blood clots. It can lead to uncontrolled bleeding during tooth extraction in West Edmonton. In some instances, the dentist may prescribe you an antibiotic to prevent any dental infection.

The Procedure

Before the procedure starts, the dentist or the oral surgeon will first take digital imaging or an X-ray of your teeth. It is necessary to identify the angle and curvature of the root. They will then administer anesthesia to numb the area. Once completed, the dentist in West Edmonton will start extracting your tooth. Remember that they may remove it in multiple pieces.

If you have a concealed tooth that is below the bones or tissue, the dentist will remove the bone or the gum tissue that serves as an obstruction. You should not feel any pain due to the effect of anesthesia. Nonetheless, you will still feel some pressure on your tooth. The cracking or grinding of your teeth will also be audible. Some patients may find this experience distressing and unpleasant. If you are feeling any pain, be sure to inform your dentist in West Edmonton immediately. It will prompt them to apply a higher dose of numbing agents.

Once the dentist completes the extraction process, they will start stitching the wound. The dentist can also perform additional procedures to control the bleeding on the site. They may ask you to bite on gauze to absorb the excess blood and encourage the blood clotting process.

Now that the procedure is completed, you need to make sure that you are on your way to recovery. Be sure to listen to the advice of the dental clinic near you. Avoid lifting heavy objects and performing rigorous exercise. Stick with soft foods in the meantime and stop smoking. You can also ask them to prescribe you some medications that will manage the pain.