Ed Family Dental Blog

When you eat, do you have trouble chewing or hear a popping sound? These are just a couple of signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. This condition causes chronic jaw pain, and it can be quite uncomfortable to deal with. However, as you research online about it, you may come across some myths. Here’s the truth behind three misconceptions you might’ve heard.

If your jaw feels rather sore, you may think of visiting a family medical practice. Primary care doctors are the ones most consulted about aches and pains. Even so, you should actually go to your nearest dental provider; it’s best to see a dentist for TMJ treatment when possible. Your Astoria dental team can even share the reasons behind this truth. To that end, here’s a primer on TMJ disorder, why dentists are qualified to treat it, and how dentistry usually manages it.

Jaw pain can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and even interfere with everyday activities like chewing, speaking, yawning, and smiling. Often, this discomfort is linked to the TMJ, or temporomandibular joints—the hinge-like joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. When these joints or the surrounding muscles aren’t functioning properly, it can lead to what’s known as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Here’s a closer look at some of the specific causes of TMD and how professional treatment can help you find relief!

Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull and is primarily responsible for your ability to open and close your mouth. Unfortunately, however, the jaw can sometimes become misaligned with the temporomandibular joint, causing pain like headaches, shoulder pain, and even back pain, as well as difficulties chewing and speaking. This is known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Worse yet, some patients with TMD even report other side effects such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and vertigo. Here’s why if you have TMD, you may also have vertigo.

You were ready to start your dental implant journey, but during your initial consultation your dentist mentioned you might need a bone graft first. What does this mean, and why did your dentist recommend it?

Ultimately, bone grafts are all about reinforcing your jawbone with more support so your dental implant treatment will be successful. Now, understandably, that might sound like a lot! Keep reading, and it’ll start to make more sense.

Professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile and boost your confidence, but your job isn’t done once you leave the dentist’s office. For the first few days after whitening, your teeth are more porous and vulnerable to staining. By knowing which foods and drinks to avoid—and what to eat instead—you can help maintain your whiter smile for as long as possible.

Many people experience anxiety around dental appointments, especially if they require a more invasive treatment like a root canal. If you’re worried your procedure will be long and agonizing, you might avoid it altogether.

Unfortunately, dental problems don’t typically resolve themselves and tend to progressively worsen over time. That means your tooth isn’t going to get better by itself, and its condition could deteriorate and contribute to other health concerns. If your dentist recommended this service, continue reading to learn why you should undergo a root canal sooner rather than later!

Dental crowns are designed to be durable and long-lasting, but sometimes life throws a curveball our way, and your dental crown might unexpectedly come loose or even fall out! Whether it happens while eating, brushing your teeth, playing a sport, or seemingly out of nowhere, it can be a startling experience. That said, if you find yourself holding your crown instead of wearing it like you’re supposed to, here’s how your dentist can help!

Another morning, another chapter in your ongoing battle with your alarm alongside your faithful companion, the mighty Sir Snooze Button. You (along with roughly 30 million other Americans) have sleep apnea, a condition that makes it almost impossible to get the rest you need. While there are many causes, one that is starting to get more attention is genetics. Is there a “sleep apnea gene” that you got from your parents just like your eye and hair color? More importantly, does this mean that you’ll ALWAYS contend with poor sleep?

Dental implants are renowned for their resilience and have an incredibly high success rate of 95% or more. Most people recover effectively without developing issues by following their dentist’s post-op instructions to care for their new teeth.

However, that doesn’t mean these restorations are entirely invincible. There are circumstances in which they can fail, and many patients are unsure what will happen next. Continue reading to learn more about why this happens and how your dentist handles it!