There’s no end to tips and home remedies for curing a toothache (some effective, some not), and it’s common knowledge that a visit to your dentist is in order if you can’t relieve it. Yet, when your jaw hurts, you might not find as much information about why or how to alleviate it.

Aside from a direct injury to your jaw, one of the most common reasons for jaw pain is TMJ disorder – a dysfunction in one or both of your jaw’s temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The good news is that, in many cases, your dentist can treat your jaw pain by treating TMJ disorder and its underlying cause(s). (more…)

You may think of the spring as a time for cleaning house. And while your kitchen may need a deep scrub, your closets cleared of clutter, it could be that your smile is even more in need of a good spring cleaning. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental checkup, let this change of seasons serve as a reminder that preventive care, like regular cleanings, are essential to maintaining great oral health, not to mention keeping your smile looking its best. And who doesn’t want that? (more…)

Ouch! Canker sores can be incredibly irritating, and they can also make mealtime more of a pain than a pleasure. Fortunately most canker sores will heal on their own, in a few weeks or less. They also don’t generally require restorative treatment from your dentist or doctor. But, if you want to speed the healing process along even further, there are some simple steps you can take. Perhaps best of all, many involve only household products you might already have on hand! (more…)

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to take better care of your smile? If so, you may have already begun a diligent daily dental hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing. But if you wonder what more you could do to take great care of your teeth and gums, there are some tips from your preventive dentist that can certainly help. Many simple habits can actually help prevent cavities and other dental issues, so you can continue to smile confidently. It just takes a little knowledge and developing good habits, for which your smile will thank you! (more…)

Of course you want to know how to keep your smile healthy. It’s what your husband fell in love with, and how your friends describe you to strangers. As your most prized feature, surely you want it to look its best, and you know that begins with great preventive care. But are you actually doing all you can to maintain healthy teeth and gums? Many people think brushing their teeth everyday is all that is necessary to prevent dental problems. Unfortunately that is not the case, which is why so many people end up suffering from issues like dental cavities and gum disease. The good news is that many of the best ways to prevent dental problems are quite simple and easy to implement. Here is what you need to know about great preventive dental care. (more…)