Filed under: Oral Health, TMJ Disorder | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
Sounds to good to be true but there is one candy that your dentist will approve of! Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate offers a host of health benefits including some for your smile.
The American Chemical Society is hosting a symposium titled “Cocoa: Science and Technology” which features reports from experts on the main ingredient in chocolate. Studies include findings about:
- Stress — eating about one and a half ounces of dark chocolate per day reduce levels of stress hormones
- High blood pressure — Flavonoids in chocolate may help lower blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems — Chocolate helps strengthen mitochondria which become weakened in people with heart problems
Also included was a study that thrills neuromuscular dentists everywhere:
- TMJ and migraine — It seems that chocolate may be useful in treating disorders involving the trigeminal nerve (a very sensitive nerve that runs through the face and jaw area). It seems that some of the active ingredients in chocolate were found to soothe the excitability of the nerve.
- Previous studies have shown that dark chocolate actually contains substances that help reduce tooth decay.
So go ahead and enjoy your dark chocolate, just remember that although it contains lots of chemical compounds that are good for you it also contains lots of fats and sugars so moderation is key.
If you experience jaw or facial pain, chronic headaches or clicking in your jaw you may suffer from a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Please contact Philadephia area neuromuscular dentist Dr. Beth Snyder at 215-348-9922 today to schedule your consultation.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
I was having a non-dental conversation with someone the other day and the term TMJ came up. The question was raised “What is TMJ? I always hear about it but I don’t know what the letters mean.”
This is a great question. The letters TMJ actually stand for temporomandibular joint which is the jaw joint. The jaw joint is the most complex joint in our body and because the jaw muscles are so incredibly strong it is also subjected to very strong forces. Most of the time our jaw joints work just as they are supposed to: opening, closing, sliding forward and back and from side to side.
Sometimes the jaw joint and surrounding muscles have problems. This is known as temporomandibular joint disorder and is what most people mean when they say they have TMJ or TMD. When the jaw joint is not functioning properly we may have pain in the joint, facial or neck pain, severe headaches, even pain in the shoulders or ears. Some patients complain of a feeling of “fullness” or tinnitus type sounds in their ears. Popping or clicking noises in the joint are very common.
The causes of TMJ dysfunction vary. Many times an auto accident or a fall can damage or inflame the joint. Often the patient grinds or clenches their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. This grinding and clenching occurs without conscious knowledge and often happens during sleep.
Treating these conditions requires dentists to be trained in neuromuscular dentistry. Neuromuscular dentistry is the study of how the joints, muscles, teeth and other tissues of the head and neck work together in harmony. Using specialized equipment a neuromuscular dentist can find the optimal resting placement for your jaw allowing your body to heal. Most patients utilize a custom orthotic device, sometimes called a bite splint, to maintain proper positioning and to protect the teeth and jaw joint from the stresses of bruxism.
If you are experiencing headaches, facial or jaw pain please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA at 215-348-9922 today to schedule your consultation.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint. This joint is the most complex in the human body and has the ability to cause great pain because of its proximity to large facial nerves.
TMJ pain can manifest as severe headaches which are frequently misdiagnosed as migraines. The jaw joint can also cause facial pain, pain in the neck and shoulders and even symptoms in the ears. No two patients have quite the same experience.
The causes of TMJ dysfunction vary. Some patients have damaged their jaw in an accident. Some people suffer from bruxism, a condition that causes them to grind their teeth which places stress on the jaw. Others have developed jaw damage over time due to misaligned teeth or old dental work that has caused their bite to be misaligned. In most people, all of these are connected, for example a poor bite causes unconscious tooth grinding which leads to TMJ pain.
Dentists who have been trained in neuromuscular dentistry understand the relationship between the joint, muscles and teeth which enables them to solve TMJ pain. In Doylestown, PA your neuromuscular dentist is Dr. Beth Snyder. Please contact our Doylestown office at 215-348-9922 to schedule your TMJ consultation. You can wake up without a morning headache – call today.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: headache, teeth grinding, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
College students have finished fall semester and are home for the holidays. Many students experience severe and recurring headaches which are usually dismissed as ” migraine headaches”. The pain is real but a common headache cause is tooth grinding during sleep.
This condition is known as bruxism and has several causes. Some bruxism starts with stress or anxiety, for others it may be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder and for many it is a symptom of a jaw joint or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
The clenching and grinding typically occurs during sleep and most people do not know they are grinding. More than half of adults grind or clench occasionally but even children suffer from bruxism. Obvious side effects of grinding are severe headache, often misdiagnosed as migraines, worn and broken teeth, clicking in the jaw and severe neck and facial pain.
Treatment for TMJ disorders may include a custom orthotic device that protects the teeth and jaw muscles while sleeping. An experience neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and suggest appropriate treatment for bruxism and TMJ disorders.
Bruxism can occur at any age. College students with their high levels of stress, poor eating and bad sleep habits are perfect candidates. Please contact Doylestown, PA neuromuscular dentist Dr. Beth Snyder at 215-348-9922 today to schedule a consultation for your student.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, bruxism, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
Headache sufferers may spend years going from doctor to doctor trying to find a cure for their pain. The answer for many of these headache sufferers can be proper diagnosis and treatment for their temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD.
The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complicated structures in the human body. The joint can be damaged by accidents, poor bite or often because of teeth grinding (bruxism). The Mayo Clinic estimates that 5 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from some type of pain connected with TMJ disorders.
Common symptom of temporomandibular joint dysfunction can include blinding headaches which are often mistaken for migraine headaches. Patients may also have facial or jaw pain, clicking noises in the jaw joint or a feeling of “fullness” in the ears or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Each patient may have a different combination of symptoms – or only one.
Proper diagnosis by a trained neuromuscular dentist is an important first step. A neuromuscular dentist has been specially trained to diagnose and treat injuries to the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles – a subject that is not studied in depth by most general dentists.
Treatment options vary for each individual but a common and highly effective treatment involves the creation of a custom orthotic appliance. This appliance is normally worn at night and allows your jaw muscles to stay in their most relaxed position.
If headaches are impacting your life please contact the office of Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA today at 215-348-9922 . We will be happy to arrange a consultation to see if you could benefit from neuromuscular dentistry.
Filed under: Oral Health, TMJ Disorder | Tags: broken tooth, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
The most common cause for a toothache is dental decay or gum disease but there are other causes for toothache pain. Here are few of the more.
- Exposed tooth roots. The tooth roots are usually buried in bone but when gum disease reaches a certain stage the gum and the bone recedes from the teeth leaving them exposed. The exposed roots are very sensitive to heat and cold because they are no longer protected.
- A cracked tooth. Sometimes a tooth will fracture and this can cause severe pain when biting in that area. Usually a cracked tooth is caused by chewing or biting hard objects such as hard candy, nuts, ice or even acrylic fingernails. Treatment usually involves placing a dental crown to protect the broken tooth. Sometimes a root canal may be needed as well.
- Impacted Teeth or Eruption of Teeth. For some children the eruption of new teeth can cause toothache type pain. A common problem is impacted wisdom teeth – this means the tooth has not emerged in its proper position — and it can cause pain and can become infected if left untreated.
- TMJ Problems. The temporomandibular join (TMJ) can become painful or inflamed due to an incorrect bite or excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth. TMJ pain can be experienced in many ways including toothache type pain, headaches, neck or shoulder pain or discomfort when chewing. A neuromuscular dentist can correctly diagnose and offer treatment for TMJ disorders.
If you are experiencing dental discomfort, please don’t delay. Contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your appointment.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: Doylestown, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
Headaches, neck pain, facial pain, noises or ringing in your ears, clicking jaw joints – these are all symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and all difficult to live with. If you have any one or more of these symptoms you could have a TMJ problem. Until you are able to get an appointment with your neuromuscular dentist who has been specially trained to treat TMJ dysfunction, here are some do-it-yourself suggestions that can help ease your discomfort.
- Ice Gel ice packs are available at your local pharmacy. Simply freeze and apply to the jaw area. Just like applying ice to your sprained ankle, ice on the temporomandibular joint helps reduce swelling and pain. If you can tolerate ibuprofen (Motrin) it is a wonderful drug to reduce inflammation and help begin healing but follow label directions and always take on a full stomach.
- Modify your diet. Again, think of your injured jaw joint like a sprained ankle. When you eat hard or chewy foods, you are “running” on that jaw joint. Place yourself on a non-chew soft diet. Nothing harder than the consistency of cooked pasta. This is the time for mashed potatoes and smoothies. No chewing gum or gnawing on ice and stifle your yawns as much as possible. In general, minimize using your lower jaw as much as possible.
- Gentle passive exercises will help strengthen the muscles of the temporomandibular joint and mouth area. These are important to help maintain a healthy range of motion. A referral to a qualified physical therapist is always beneficial in getting the TMJ muscles relaxed and pain free.
Treating temporomandibular joint dysfunctions is not something that every dentist is trained to do. The jaw joint is among the most complex in the human body and it takes advanced training in to effectively treat these types of cases.
These self-help tips will not “cure” your TMJ problem but may help make you more comfortable until your appointment. Please contact our Doylestown, PA office at 215-348-9922 to schedule your appointment with neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Beth Snyder.
Filed under: TMJ Disorder | Tags: bruxism, neuromuscular dentist, teeth grinding
The poor economic conditions of the past several years have caused increased levels of stress for almost everyone. One sign of stress that we see in the dental office is an increase in people who grind their teeth. Bruxism is the official term for clenching or grinding teeth. This usually happens at night during sleep so patients don’t realize they are doing it until a tooth breaks or other symptoms appear.
About ten to fifteen percent of people grind their teeth during normal times, but during the economic downturn many dentists who treat bruxism have seen an increase in stress-related grinding. Grinding usually appears in middle-age and women have typically been the ones seeking treatment. Today however, more neuromuscular dentists are reporting an increase in male patients and younger patients such as high school and college students are also on the upswing.
Normal chewing puts about 68 pounds of pressure per square inch on the back teeth, grinding unconsciously at night can cause up of 900 pounds of pressure. Little wonder that teeth break and wear down. This pressure also causes inflammation and damage to the temporomandibular joint leading to jaw pain and headaches. Left untreated bruxism can cause severe, and expensive, damage to the mouth.
Treatment for bruxism begins with a trip to a neuromuscular dentist. Neuromuscular dentists have special training in treating jaw joint disorders and focus on ensuring that all of the structures of the jaw work together in harmony. A custom orthotic (sometimes called a night guard) is created to protect the teeth from wear and maintain the jaw in a position that reduces stress on the temporomandibular joint. For patients who have been grinding their teeth for a long time and have extensive damage to their teeth a full-mouth reconstruction may be needed.
Please contact your Doylestown neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Beth Snyder, today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your consultation. While the stress levels may be here for a few more years we can protect your smile from the effects of tooth grinding.
Filed under: Dental Procedures, TMJ Disorder | Tags: crowns, dentist, orthotic, sleep apnea, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
A surprising number of people grind their teeth. This typically happens when they are sleeping and they are not aware they are doing it. The condition is called bruxism and results in wearing down and cracking of the teeth, jaw joint pain and damage (TMJ disorders) and even changes in facial muscles.
The reasons why some people grind their teeth are unclear. Some researchers think it is done out of habit, other people believe stress is involved. We do know that people with sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea tend to grind their teeth during sleep.
The most important thing is not why patients grind their teeth, it is stopping the damage from occurring. A custom made dental orthotic (sometimes called a night guard) can be fabricated by a specially trained neuromuscular dentist. The dental orthotic not only keeps the teeth from breaking and wearing down, it is designed to limit damage to the jaw joint as well. The orthotic must be worn during sleep but can also be worn during the day for those patients who clench their teeth.
Once the damage from bruxism has been done there are only two options. Do nothing and the pain, tooth breakage, jaw dysfunction and changes to muscles will continue and ultimately lead to tooth loss. The other option is called a full-mouth restoration.
A full-mouth restoration is exactly what it implies. Your neuromuscular dentist will use crowns, implants and bridges to restore your damaged teeth and place your bite in its optimal position. This will achieve harmony between your jaw joint, facial muscles and your teeth.
For additional information on bruxism, neuromuscular dentistry or full-mouth restoration please contact our Doylestown office at 215-348-9922.
Filed under: Oral Health, TMJ Disorder | Tags: bacteria, gums, health, hygiene, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
Jobs, family, school – stress comes from many sources and it seems like life just gets more and more complex. We know that stress causes emotional symptoms but it can also cause physical symptoms ranging from headaches to hives. It can also cause big problems with your oral health. Stress can show up in your mouth in the form of canker sores, cold sores, teeth grinding and even gum disease. Here’s how to recognize and deal with some of these stress related problems.
Canker sores are small ulcers that appear inside the mouth – sometimes singly other times in groups. They may appear to have a white or gray colored base that is bordered in red. Stress and fatigue can increase the risk of canker sores but they are not contagious. They will go away in about a week but if they are very uncomfortable you can use over-the-counter topical anesthetics to numb the area. It is best to avoid salty or spicy foods and highly acidic foods so you don’t irritate the canker sore.
Cold sores are also called fever blisters. They are actually caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Emotional upset, stress or even sunburn can trigger an outbreak. They will heal on their own in about a week. Prescription treatments are available so talk to your dentist and your doctor about your options.
Stress can make you clench your teeth or grind them together. Many people grind their teeth at night while sleeping and don’t realize they are doing it until a bed partner complains about the noise. Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding and it can lead to wearing down of the teeth, cracking and breaking and it can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ or jaw joint). See your dentist about your bruxism as soon as possible. Sleeping with a specially made orthotic device can protect your teeth and your temporomandibular joint from damage.
Stress can also cause an increase in dental plaque which can lead to serious gum disease. Regular brushing, flossing and dental hygiene visits are necessary during stressful times.
Getting rid of the stress in life would be the best thing to do, unfortunately that is not always possible. Finding a healthy way to cope with this stress such as exercise, journal writing, meditation or yoga can help keep your stress levels from causing physical symptoms and long term damage to your health. Please contact our Doylestown office today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your appointment. Don’t forget to let us know about any oral health symptoms you have been experiencing that may be stress related.
