What is the Most Common Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Knowing what to do in an emergency can make a big difference in reducing pain and preventing further complications. Understanding the most common dental emergencies can also help you prepare if they happen.

Toothache: The Most Common Dental Emergency

Toothaches are one of the most frequent dental emergencies. They can result from various causes, including cavities, gum disease, or an infection. A toothache can be severe, and if left untreated, it may lead to more serious issues. Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief, but it's essential to seek professional care as soon as possible to identify and treat the root cause.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

Accidents or biting down on hard foods can cause teeth to chip or break. Depending on the severity, a broken tooth may expose sensitive nerves, causing pain and discomfort. Immediate attention can help save the tooth and prevent further damage. For those experiencing this, seeking emergency dental treatment in SW Calgary is recommended to quickly restore the tooth's function and appearance.

Lost Filling or Crown

Losing a filling or crown may not seem like an urgent problem, but it can lead to sensitivity and discomfort. Additionally, exposed tooth surfaces are more susceptible to decay. Getting prompt dental care can protect the tooth from further harm and ensure a comfortable fit for a new filling or crown.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Any dental issue that involves bleeding, severe pain, or an exposed nerve should be addressed promptly. Waiting to receive treatment can increase the risk of infection or worsening damage, especially if swelling or fever is present.

Finding the Right Dental Care

If you experience a dental emergency, finding a dentist in SW Calgary or a dentist near you can provide timely relief and prevent more severe problems. Having an emergency dentist you can trust will help ensure that you receive the care you need, right when you need it.

At Bow Trail Dental, we prioritize your comfort and health during emergencies. Our team is experienced in providing effective, compassionate emergency dental treatment in SW Calgary. Contact us for quality care that addresses your urgent dental needs quickly and effectively. 

What are Complete and Partial Dentures?

Unfortunately, many people lose one or many teeth before reaching their forties. Patients visit our dentist in SW Calgary for options to replace their teeth and, thanks to modern dentistry, we can offer them multiple options.

Among them, we design the best dentures in SW Calgary. We work with the best dental laboratories for the best fitting and look. 

If you are looking for excellent dentures near you, you may read this blog to know the best tips to adapt to them.

What are Dentures?

First of all, what are dentures? Dentures are oral devices that consist of fake teeth over a base of acrylic that resembles the gums. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, they can have all dental pieces or some of them. 

Complete Dentures

These are perfect for fully edentulous people. Your doctor will take a mold of your teeth with special putty and send it to a dental laboratory for your dentures. In the meantime, they may place temporary ones.

In a second appointment, they will evaluate the fitting. You must speak and bite to see if you feel comfortable with your dentures or if these need adjustments. 

These dentures obtain their retention through suction, which is why they must fit snuggly. If they retain excellently, you may go home with your new dentition! 

Partial Dentures

If you have some remaining healthy teeth, you can opt for partial dentures. These have some metallic clasps for gripping onto your dental pieces and gain better security.

The procedure to make them is similar to the complete ones. Your doctor will drill small holes on the chewing surface of specific teeth, where the metallic parts will rest for retention. They will take the mold, and a dental technician will manufacture them.

Another type of partial denture has flexible clasps instead of metal ones. They are more aesthetic and still retain pretty good.

Tips for Adjusting to Your Dentures

Whether you have complete or partial ones, here are some recommendations to pass the learning curve:

1. Practice

As they say, practice makes perfect. We suggest reading or singing out loud for more eloquence. In the beginning, you may struggle to pronounce some letters; after some time, you will speak comfortably. 

2. Cut Your Food

We suggest cutting your food into small pieces for eating more comfortably. Also, moistening the food in different sauces will make it easier to chew.

3. Give Your Mouth a Break

Wearing complete or partial dentures 24/7 is a mistake. Give your gums a break to avoid irritation and mouth sores. We recommend removing it at bedtime. 

4. Clean Your Dentures

Once a day, brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild soap or non-abrasive toothpaste. Regular toothpaste damages them. And, when you remove them before bedtime, soak them in water or dentures cleaning solution to keep them moist. It will help to preserve them and maintaining them in good condition.

5. Keep Up With Dental Checkups

By visiting a dentist near you regularly, you will be able to explain to them if you feel any discomfort with your dentures.

The first dentures checkup should be a month later; then, three months later. Finally, one time every six months. 

All patients should keep up with their biannual checkups, but even more, if they underwent prosthetic treatment.

In each appointment, your doctor will evaluate the condition of your dentures and determine if they need an adjustment or repair. The average life of them is from five to seven years. It will vary depending on the care you give to them and the materials used.

Top 5 Facts One Should Know About Invisalign

Traditional metal braces have not been the cutting-edge invention that people rave about. Mostly because of how uncomfortable it can become and its seemingly permanent nature.

Apart from its stylish and comfortable feel, Invisalign is also a substitute for metal braces when it comes to teeth straightening. I believe you know all this already though, but there seems to always be just this one detail that could have helped you make a better decision, so here are five very vital things you should know about Invisalign.

1. Invisalign is a very personal product

There are instances of a general rule of thumb in medicine, for example, a vaccine is a vaccine; it prevents the infection it was made to prevent and it does that in everyone who takes it. However, Invisalign doesn't work that way.

It is a product that works and functions on custom-based procedures. While all Invisalign achieves the same purpose; to make your smile brighter, one is not made to serve two, not even identical twins. In addition, the purpose for using Invisalign may differ between individuals; one might be to align the teeth together, while the other might be to cover up stains on the tooth.

The treatment plan is adapted to the precise patient it’s made for because they’re all custom-made. There isn’t a general procedure for the treatment but generally, expect the treatment to last about 12 to 18 months.

2. Invisalign is not an entirely painless process

Now the treatment is not as painful as with metal braces but patients might experience some mild pain with Invisalign. As the treatment proceeds, a fresh set of aligners will be given based on doctors' discretion. In cases where patients report pain, most say it only hurts when they change to a new set. A common occurrence is for the discomfort to remain a day or two before it stops on its own. These pains can very well be managed by regular pain relievers.

3. Treat it like your regular teeth

Invisalign in SW Calgary is specially designed to fit your life, it was made to suit you and your needs, not make life harder. The aligners are hardly noticeable to others and they do not need you to transform your diet or alter the activities you participate in.

However, you do need to brush and floss before you use your aligners again when you remove them and you will have to see your Invisalign specialist continuously, about every six to eight weeks, for as long as your treatment lasts.

4. The treatment is not the end

Invisalign near you is a long-term treatment but it doesn't even end when the treatment is over. Although your teeth will already be in the proper shape by the time you are done with your aligners, you will then need to start the maintenance mode. The aligners will be off but the retainers will have to be worn for a while, based on the advice offered by your dentist in SW Calgary.

5. Invisalign is not for everyone

Just before you get your hopes up, you should know that Invisalign might not be for you. Certain health conditions that traditional metal braces will amend can not be treated with Invisalign, some of which include: severe overbite; too-short or pegged teeth; large gaps; patients with prior dental works; etc.

Although there is no age limit for it, it is expected that all the teeth have emerged for children, and the individuals should be matured and ready enough to keep the braces on for at least 22 hours a day.

Please visit Bow Trail Dental to speak to our dentist near you about if Invisalign is right for you. 

The Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Unlike what many people think, teeth are not naturally white. They are yellower because the layer that provides the color is the dentin (the dentin is yellow and sometimes, kind of grey). The dentin lies beneath a translucent enamel; hence, teeth will show a yellow color.

And what happens over time? Teeth become darker due to many reasons, such as:

- Age – Over the years, the enamel wears down, and the dentin shows even more. Due to this reason, the dentition of the elderly looks yellower.

- Diet – If you consume colored foods and drinks, they will stain your teeth over time. The dentin absorbs these pigments and gets darker. 

- Poor oral hygiene – If you don’t maintain good oral care, you will accumulate plaque and tartar, and your teeth will look darker. 

There are many options to whiten your teeth. For some stains, such as the ones produced by antibiotics, you may opt for porcelain veneers. For not-so-deep ones, teeth whitening near you is an excellent option.

You may benefit from our teeth whitening in SW Calgary, even if you don’t have any teeth discoloration. Perhaps you want to show a flashy Hollywood smile for aesthetics.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that a dentist in SW Calgary offers to people who want a more appealing smile. It requires a single appointment, and results may last up to two years with proper care.

The procedure consists of applying a bleaching agent over the front surface of your teeth. To do so, a cosmetic dentist near you will retract your lips and cheeks with a lip retractor. Then, they will add resin to the gum line to protect the gingiva from the whitening product (carbamide or hydrogen peroxide).

Once the gum is isolated, your doctor will paint every tooth with peroxide. They will let it act for 20 minutes, wash it away, dry it, and add a second application. It is that simple!

You will see results immediately, and you will be ready to show your improved smile to the world.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a safe procedure; however, it causes tooth sensitivity in most cases. It will ease after a couple of days, but in the beginning, it can be uncomfortable. 

Your doctor may prescribe desensitizing gel to alleviate it and any over-the-counter pain medication. 

Another thing that can occur is gum damage due to the peroxide. If the product contacts your gingiva by accident, you may feel mild pain (like a burning sensation). Your doctor will apply a desensitizing gel to the area, and you will feel relief right away. This situation does not happen often, but you should know it is possible.

Extend the Results

As we mentioned above, professional teeth whitening (the one in the dental office) may last from three months to two years. What can you do to extend the results?

You must brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, reduce the consumption of colored foods and drinks (if you are going to drink a dark beverage, use a straw), and avoid smoking.

Teeth whitening will last longer on a person who does not smoke and keeps excellent oral care than in a heavy smoker who skips daily brushing. You must adopt good habits if you want to see better results.

You may also benefit from teeth whitening touch-ups. Depending on your lifestyle, your doctor will recommend a frequency or another.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in whitening your teeth, contact us today. Our team will be happy to enhance your smile.

Why To Ditch “DIY” and Have a Dentist Whiten Your Teeth

There are few trends so popular and pervasive as the DIY — do it yourself — trend that applies to everything from home decorating, haircuts, pet grooming, and renovations to automotive repairs. Some of those things are ideal for keen DIY-ers because they can be done just as safely, efficiently and effectively as professionals can accomplish the same tasks. But not everything falls into that category. Where on that spectrum of ideal for DIY-ers to leave-it-to-the-pros does teeth whitening in SW Calgary fall? 

Let’s take a look at the options for whitening your teeth yourself or asking your dentist to perform professional teeth whitening in SW Calgary chairside. With all the information in hand, we’re confident you’ll agree that you can obtain the safest, most efficient, most dramatic, most long-lasting and most personalized results from your dentist. When it comes to whitening your teeth, we recommend leaving it to the pros. Here’s what you need to know. 

Professional teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening by a dentist can be performed in two different ways: In the dentist’s office or at home using customized kits provided after a consultation with your dentist. Both options will use bleaching products containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to break down stains. Whitening by a dentist in SW Calgary or using take-home trays containing bleaching products selected formulated specifically for your teeth is an extremely safe procedure because it is  based on a careful assessment of the health of your teeth and gums and the exact nature of the stains being targeted.

DIY teeth whitening options

Do it yourself teeth whitening options include whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes, whitening chewing gums and whitening strips. Products approved by the Canadian Dental Association (ask your dentist if you’re not sure!) are safe if used as directed. Keep in mind that there’s a trade-off to the safety of these DIY options: Time. Any whitening effect you’ll notice from DIY options will take much longer to develop and will have a much shorter lifespan than teeth whitening provided by a dentist near you. That’s because the bleaching compounds used in DIY options are much weaker than the bleaching compounds your dentist will use. 

The weaker compounds make them safer for use by amateurs, but slow down any whitening process so be patient. When people suffer any ill effects from using DIY teeth whitening options, it’s usually because they use them too often or for too long because they’re not patient enough. Always use the products according to their instructions. If you want more dramatic results more quickly, make an appointment with a dentist near you. Professional teeth whitening in the dentist’s office or at home using bleaching compounds in trays provided by your dentist may be a better alternative for you. 

Can there be side effects?

One of the biggest advantages of getting teeth whitening near you from a dentist rather than doing it yourself is that your dentist will be able to tailor the bleaching compounds precisely to your stains, the condition of your teeth and any prior experience you’ve had — negative or otherwise. This is important because there are a couple of common, though minor and temporary, potential side effects of teeth whitening (especially if you use DIY options without following the instructions precisely).

Some people who have undergone teeth whitening notice increased tooth sensitivity, though that sensation is usually minor and disappears over several days. Your dentist may recommend that you use toothpaste containing sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate to help ease that sensitivity. If you know you have particularly sensitive teeth, let your dentist in SW Calgary know before your whitening appointment. They’ll be able to adjust and perhaps provide some preventative tips, too. 

Whatever your goals are when it comes to whiter and more beautiful teeth, you’ve got options. For the safest, most tailored, most effective, most dramatic, most comfortable and longest-lasting results, make an appointment with a dentist near you. 

How To Handle TMJ Symptoms

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that attaches your lower jaw to your skull on each side of your face. If you place your finger on the side of your face and open and close your jaw, you’ll feel that hinge and joint at work. According to the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, approximately 25 to 30% of Canadians suffer from TMJ disorders that cause pain in and around and affect the normal function of your jaw. 

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorders?

The most common symptoms of TMJ disorders are pain in your TMJ or the muscles on the side of your face, problems fully opening your jaw, a clicking sound when you open and shut your jaw, neck and earaches, and headaches that seem to focus around your temples.

What causes TMJ pain?

There are a wide variety of known causes of TMJ pain and others that continue to be investigated. In addition to those known causes, there are other known risk factors for increasing your risk of experiencing TMJ-related pain. Causes of pain affecting your TMJ in SW Calgary include: trauma or dysfunction affecting the muscles that control your jaw and that connect your neck and shoulder muscles to your face and jaw muscles; damage in the internal portions of the TMJ joint itself, such as a dislocated or displaced disc; and degenerative conditions affecting the joint, such as arthritis.

Risk factors that can increase the risk that you will experience TMJ pain — or increase the degree of pain that you experience — include: injuries to your jaw, face, neck and head; experiencing stress or anxiety; misaligned teeth that affect how your upper and lower jaws meet; and if you suffer from sleep or waking bruxism, a condition in which you clench your jaw and grind your teeth whether you’re asleep or awake.

How can you manage TMJ pain?

There are several things that you can do yourself to ease the discomfort associated with TMJ pain. Self-help remedies, including: eating softer foods and avoiding hard and hard-to-chew foods; applying a cold compress to your jaw or the side of your face; avoiding fully opening your jaw; practicing stress-reduction and relaxation exercises; gently stretching your jaw; and performing or receiving soft tissue massage.

Dentists can help, too? Does that surprise you? Tell your dentist about any TMJ-related symptoms you’ve been experiencing. A TMJ dentist near you may take x-rays and examine your face and jaw to identify teeth and jaw-related issues that may be contributing to your discomfort. Pain associated with TMJ disorder can often be eased or even eliminated by wearing a custom-fit nightguard provided by your dentist in SW Calgary to properly position and protect your teeth.

When it comes to a mouthguard, don’t rely on an off-the-shelf or boil-and-bite athletic mouthguard from a sports equipment store. Whatever value those have for protecting the mouths of athletes — and that’s something to talk to your dentist about, too — they are not appropriate for properly positioning your teeth to protect you from TMJ disorders and associated pain. A custom mouthguard designed precisely for your teeth and symptoms is essential.

In other cases, making minor changes to the biting surfaces of your teeth and how they meet can also ease symptoms, especially in combination with a custom mouthguard. Your dentist will also refer you to other medical professionals to ensure you receive the help you need. Those may include physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors or even behavioural therapists.

Don’t settle for a life affected by jaw pain. Next time you see your dentist, tell them about any TMJ symptoms you’re experiencing to see if your dentist can help or help you to get the help you need from another medical professional.

 

Taking Care Of Your Oral Health

For complex and varied reasons, oral health has been the least recognized part of the overall public health policies of most countries across the globe. Most governments consider teeth as expendable and hence, refuse to include oral health as part of the national health policy. In economically under-developed countries, the incidence of oral diseases is relatively higher than that in advanced nations, owing to the lack of awareness and access to proper dental care. While it might be easy for you to locate a good dentist near you, there is a severe dearth of dental professionals in less-developed countries. 

While oral health remains neglected in most parts of the world, oral diseases such as dental caries are among the most common chronic diseases worldwide. And, while oral diseases are not considered life-threatening, oral cancer still is the 8th most common cancer in the world. 

The main deterrents in the maintenance of good oral health are:

• poor access to proper dental care in low-to-middle income countries, and
• lack of awareness about the importance of oral health in overall well-being. 

Prevention Is The Key

For good oral health, especially where access to good dental care is rare, prevention is the best way forward. Even your local dentist in SW Calgary would agree that the key to good dental health is the prevention of oral diseases. Those countries where the government is unable to provide dental care facilities should at least make an effort to prevent the spread of oral diseases. This can be achieved by spreading awareness about oral diseases, providing subsidized fluoride toothpaste, and implementing strict policies on the use of tobacco and other substances that are harmful to oral health.

That being said, what are the measures you can take to ensure that your oral health stays in good shape? To prevent the development of oral diseases, there are certain rules that you must follow, along with a little bit of dedication.

Practicing Proper Dental Hygiene Habits

The most basic thing you can do to stay away from oral problems is to develop good dental hygiene. This means following a strict routine of brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing every day, and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash to kill the remaining bacteria. It helps if you also stay away from foods that can potentially damage your oral health. These include excessively sugary foods, very hard foods, or highly acidic foods. These simple but essential habits go a long way in ensuring good oral health. 

Avoiding Harmful Habits 

People who smoke or chew tobacco are at a much higher risk of acquiring dental problems and oral cancer. Smoking is the main cause of lung and oral cancer and governments that implement strict policies against the sale and use of cigarettes are effectively controlling the spread of 2 major chronic diseases. By giving up this habit that causes several other health complications you will be saving yourself from several potential health issues.

Going For Regular Dental Checkups

A dental checkup is the most effective preventive measure against oral diseases. When you go for a dental checkup near you, your dentist conducts a thorough examination of your mouth to look for signs of dental problems that may have escaped your notice. Additionally, there are certain areas of the mouth that you cannot get a good look at yourself that might develop infections. Not only this, an experienced dentist can also discover the early signs of oral cancer during an oral cancer screening as part of the dental checkup. 

Taking care of your oral health and keeping oral diseases at bay has several benefits, the most important one being that preventive care always costs less than emergency dental care. 

If you are looking for the most trusted services in dental checkups in SW Calgary, our expert dentists at Bow Trail Dental have all your needs covered.

Myths & Facts About Dental Sealants

It is a heartbreaking experience to watch your child going through a toothache due to the formation of cavities. It is also challenging to develop healthy oral habits in kids that can prevent tooth decay, and you end up making several trips to the dentist near you for dental care. With this perspective, dental sealants seem to be an excellent solution for preventing dental cavities in children as well as in adults.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a paint-like coating that is applied to teeth to seal them against any prospective germ attacks and infections. It is a simple and safe procedure that does not cause any pain, hence is highly recommended for children who frequently face cavity issues. Even adults often take advantage of dental sealants in SW Calgary to lower their risks of tooth decay, since the method is inexpensive at just $30-$60 per tooth, which can be further reduced through some dental insurance plans or discounts. 

Long-term Benefits Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants can last a lifetime, or at least a long time if the application method was performed perfectly. However, they usually need a replacement in the majority of the cases where they tend to chip, wear-out, or fall out. They should ideally be applied to children’s teeth at the age of 6, 12, and 18 when they generally get new teeth. When new teeth erupt, they form grooves called ‘pits and fissures’, primarily on molars and pre-molars. If you want to get dental sealants for your child, this is the perfect time to do it. 

Dental sealants can also be beneficial for babies with primary teeth, especially those at high risk of tooth decay, although it is difficult to perform the procedure on them because it requires the candidate to stay still and keep their mouth wide open for a few minutes.

Research data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that dental sealants can provide 80% protection from cavities for up to 2 years after application, and continue to protect against 50% of cavities after 4 years. 

A dentist in SW Calgary can tell you how severe toothaches and cavities can get for children resulting in loss of appetite, loss of sleep, and even making them miss school time. This can be easily prevented by the application of dental sealants that ensure your child is protected against tooth decay and dental issues never become a reason for missing school!

Adults can also benefit from dental sealants in the same way as children. The risks of tooth decay increase with age as our saliva lose its protective quality with changes in its biochemistry. Except for areas where you have a restoration or a dental implant, dental sealants can be used on all other teeth. 

Common Myths About Dental Sealants

Often parents hesitate at the thought of using dental sealants on their children’s teeth due to the presence of compounds in them that form Bisphenol A (BPA) when combined with saliva. However, salivary BPA levels subside 24 hours after exposure, and there is no proven study that shows the existence of blood serum levels of BPA. In fact, there have been no reported cases of adverse reaction to dental sealants which mean that it is well received by our bodies.

Another interesting fact is that there are more chemicals than BPA present in dental materials used to treat tooth decay which should be more concerning than the BPA exposure via dental sealants.

About 43% of children are benefiting from dental sealants, though this number should be higher. The primary reason behind this is the lack of awareness around this. Also, the high level of restrictions and overregulation on preventive dentistry is becoming a deterrent in the popularity of dental sealants.

Our suggestion is to find a clinic providing dental sealants near you and book an appointment with the dentist, to get peace of mind from the fear of toothaches in your children!

Things to Consider When Picking A Dentist in Southwest Calgary

It is essential to pick the right dentist when it comes to oral health for you and your family. There are a vast number of choices out there for you to choose from. You must be able to trust that your dentist has the knowledge and skills, bearing the best interest in mind when it boils down to your oral health care.

Before deciding on a dental care provider, make sure to do your research. Your research should include factors like the staff experience, the facilities available at the dental clinic, the overall environment of the dental clinic, etc. Here are a few points to consider when you are picking a dentist in Southwest Calgary. 

Dental Experience 

Remember that you are entrusting your oral health into the hands of a dentist. A dentist plays a significant role in your well-being, by maintaining and monitoring your oral health. Therefore, it goes without saying that the dentist you chose should have extensive experience in the field.  

Apart from having a wide range of experience in the field, it is also crucial that the dentist you chose is continually educating themselves. We are in a day and age where the dentistry industry is always evolving. Dental professionals must constantly be up to date with the latest developments in the field. It provides a sense of reassurance to know that your dentist is actively working on improving his skills and evolving as a professional.

Quality of Staff

Another essential factor to consider when choosing a dentist near you is the quality of support staff in the dental clinic. Although they may not directly impact your oral health care, they play a vital role in setting your appointments, matters related to your insurance, taking care of your bills, etc.

Having efficient staff who are pleasant and caring in the dental clinic can directly impact your overall experience at a dentist in Southwest Calgary. Several individuals can be anxious about dental visits, but if the atmosphere in the dental clinic is welcoming, it can change your experience for the better.

Technological Advancements 

The dentistry industry is fast evolving with the constant advancement of technology. It definitely can be time-consuming to keep up with changes and remain on top of the game. Over the years, oral health care has seen improvements and changes that have steered the industry into a more dynamic and modern era. From having the latest technological support in terms of equipment, improvements in imaging methods, which has advanced both regular routines and life-changing procedures, technology is an imperative factor to consider before choosing your dentist.

Availability 

Apart from all of the above-motioned factors to consider while choosing your dentist, it is also necessary to ensure that your dentist is available to see his patients. What is the point if a dentist is rarely free to meet their patients? 

It is a frequent encounter for people to find dental professionals who can meet with all their patients in a timely matter. Choosing a dentist who is always booked months in advance or invariably reschedules their patients can be detrimental to your oral health. It is also a waste of valuable time and sometimes may include non-refundable funds.

Make your appointment today with a trusted dentist in Southwest Calgary.

Although it may seem like a time-consuming task, dental care is extremely crucial for a person’s oral health and overall well-being. It is essential to choose a dentist, who is both reliable and invested in your well-being with high-quality dental care. 

Visit a dental clinic in Southwest Calgary today to make the right choice in choosing your dentist.

What Do You Know About Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?

People are constantly surprised to learn that their dentist is interested in more than just the condition of their teeth and gums. Dentists are a significant part of your entire team of medical professionals who work together and combine their expertise to ensure your health in their specific areas of specialization and in the areas where their interests overlap. 

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone and your skull on either side of your head. If you place your finger just below your ear on one or both sides of your head and open and close your mouth, you’ll feel that joint at work. Thousands of Albertans experience a cluster of symptoms often called TMJ disorder. You’ll sometimes see the disorder referred to incorrectly as TMJ, which actually just identifies the joint. More correctly, the disorder is referred to as TMD, but TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably. 

Common as TMD is, it is not particularly well understood. The goal of this article is to set out some known information about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for TMD. We’ll also encourage you to involve your dentist in SW Calgary in the screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment process if you are one of many Albertans who suffer from TMD. 

Symptoms of TMD

The most commonly reported symptom of TMD is jaw pain while using your jaw normally and doing things as common as chewing, talking and even yawning. In addition to that jaw pain, people who suffer from TMD often describe:

• A clicking sound in their jaw or ears
• Experiencing lockjaw or difficulty opening their jaw fully without pain, if at all
• Ear aches and facial pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Swelling on the side of your face
• A stiff and sore jaw and facial pain generally 
• A tendency to grind your teeth as you sleep

Causes of TMD

Our understanding of what causes TMD is a bit of a mixed bag. It is clear that TMD involves impairments to the TMJ itself. What remains somewhat mysterious is what causes that impairment in the first place. Some seemingly plausible causes of TMJ impairment that produces the symptoms of TMD include: blows to the head or whiplash, arthritis in the TMJ, grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw in your sleep, some autoimmune conditions, some infections, poor posture, and even emotional stress. 

The pain you experience with TMD is usually caused by damaged cartilage in the joint, eroded or misaligned discs that separate your jaw from your skull and damage to the TMJ itself.

What are treatment options for TMD?

TMJ dentists near you use advanced neuromuscular technology to analyze the function and alignment of patients’ TMJ joint and to assess the viability and potential success of several non-surgical TMJ treatments near you. The results of those neuromuscular investigations may suggest that one or of the following treatment options may provide relief:

• Custom orthotics
• Custom night guards to prevent you from grinding your teeth
• Orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth
• Minor alterations to the biting surfaces of teeth to change how and where they meet to allow your jaw to assume a neutral and stress-free position

The specially trained staff at a dental clinic in SW Calgary screen patients for symptoms and risk factors associated with TMD as well as seemingly related conditions like sleep apnea and sleep bruxism. Whenever you are experiencing any symptoms that affect or involve any part of your head, jaw, neck, throat and shoulders or that seem to interfere with your breathing or sleeping, let a dentist near you know. 

They may be able to associate those symptoms with conditions affecting your jaw and mouth and may be able to provide relief through dental treatment or in concert with other medical professionals.