Importance of Regular Checkups

Normally, there are two parts to a regular dental visit: a checkup and a thorough cleaning of the teeth. Both components are essential to maintaining the health and beauty of your smile. Dental visits are recommended every six months, and are important because they aid in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and clean.

What to expect from a dental exam?

During the checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth for cavities and to determine whether there is tartar or plaque on the surface of your teeth. Sticky and clear, plaque is a layer of bacteria on teeth that hardens, turning into tartar, if it’s not removed. Brushing and flossing alone will not remove tartar, so your dental exam and cleaning is important. If plaque and tartar are allowed to accumulate on your teeth it can cause oral decay and gum disease.

The dentist also checks your gums for signs of disease by measuring the gap between the teeth and gums (also called pockets) with a special tool. Healthy gums have shallow pockets between the teeth and gums; as gumdisease develops, these spaces deepen.

Hygienist’s cleaning

The second part of the dental visit is the cleaning. Daily brushing and flossing goes a long way toward removing the plaque from your teeth, but any tartar that accumulates must be removed by a dental professional.  This process is referred to as scaling. After scaling is complete, your teeth are polished using special gritty toothpaste formulated to remove topical stains. Finally, the dental hygienist flosses your teeth. Regular dental cleanings are a key component to oral health. In addition to the cleaning itself, you’ll also benefit from advice and guidance to maintaining your dental health at home.

The Orchid Dental experience

When you come for your regular visit at Orchid Dental, our experienced staff will make sure you receive the high-quality care you deserve. Not only will we help with the preventative aspect of dental health, but we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan to tackle any dental problems you may have.

The first step to a healthy and amazing smile is in your hands! Give us a call today at our Bala Cynwyd office to set up your next dental checkup.

Treating TMJ Pain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a huge role in our day-to-day oral function. TMJ refers to the jaw joints and muscles that enable us to open and close our mouths and is pivotal to certain actions, such as smiling, talking, and eating. When you suffer from TMJ pain, life becomes more challenging.  

TMJ issues are reportedly common. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates the number of American adults experiencing pain and discomfort due to TMJ dysfunction exceeds 10 million. TMJ pain can be caused by trauma, misaligned (crooked) teeth, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, wear due to aging, stress, and more. Thankfully, TMJ problems are often temporary. In many cases, it's possible to find relief from symptoms by visiting a dentist who is trained in comprehensive TMJ dentistry. For those battling TMJ issues, treatments range from simple, at-home care, to more complex and extensive medical solutions.

Less is Often Best

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) recommends that people who want to relax their joints and muscles to alleviate TMJ pain can make some adjustments, such as:

• Eating softer foods
• Avoiding chewing gum, and don't bite your nails 
• Using heat packs & moisture to address the pain
• Practicing relaxation techniques to control jaw tension – i.e., meditation, or biofeedback.

If these techniques don't provide relief, other non-surgical, therapeutic solutions include:.

Medicinal relief –Over-the-counter pain relief may work for some, but when it doesn't, your health care provider may prescribe relaxants, sedatives, antidepressants, or stronger pain relievers. You will also want to consider seeking professional treatment rather than treating the symptoms at-home over long periods of time. Over the counter medicine will help reduce the pain, but will not solve the problem.

Splints or Bite guards – These plastic guards fit your teeth to provide your muscles with some relief. The guards relieve tension by helping to reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding. A trip to a dentist who is trained in TMJ therapy will help determine if a dental appliance will work for you

Physical Therapy –Your health care provider can recommend a series of specialized jaw exercises, designed to gently stretch the joints and muscles.

Proceed with Caution

Many professional organizations, including the NIDCR, believe in the “less is more” approach to treating TMJ pain, but persistent and severe cases may need other alternatives. Research is a key component in the search for successful treatment. .The dental industry has triumphed with technological advancements for treating TMJ problems.

While going through the process of discovering which treatment option is for you, be sure to discuss your jaw limitations with your dentist. Dr. Aryani is trained to help with TMJ pain. If you are in the Northern Philadelphia area of Bala Cynwyd and are looking for help with your TMJ pain, please contact our office to find out more.