If you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, then you may know how it affects your daily life. You might be familiar with the discomfort it causes, along with headaches or trouble opening and closing your mouth. While you may feel these symptoms every day, the joints can flare up and worsen them. When this happens, you should pivot yourself to avoid any more irritation, so here’s what you should avoid doing for the time being.

Headaches can have many causes, but one that often goes unrecognized is a problem with the temporomandibular joint, commonly known as TMJ. The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull and allow you to talk, chew, and move your mouth comfortably. When these joints become irritated or strained, it can lead to a condition called TMJ disorder (TMD), which frequently causes headaches.

Understanding what a TMJ headache feels like can help you recognize the symptoms and seek appropriate care.

If you’re considering professional whitening treatment from your dentist, you may be wondering how much you can expect to pay for this procedure. After all, those storebought kits aren’t that expensive, and promise similar results. But the truth is, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, you get what you pay for. Here’s a closer look at how much take-home kits from your dentist might cost, and why even though they’re more expensive, they’re a much better value than those OTC products!

If you have deep stains or discoloration on your teeth, you may be wondering how safe it is to use whitening products like strips or gels to restore them to their natural luster. Unfortunately, while they may be more affordable than professional whitening, these over-the-counter products often take many months to deliver noticeable results, meaning that your teeth are exposed to powerful chemicals for a lot longer than they would be with professional care. Here’s a closer look at the safety of whitening treatments, and why stronger chemicals from your dentist are the better choice.

Setting up for a large gathering in your home requires much planning, especially when it comes to the food. Choosing holiday hors d’oeuvres that are tasty and smile-friendly isn’t always easy. Fortunately, countless recipes for snack-sized bites are available online, making your party preparations less stressful. As you think about your menu, here are three guilt-free foods that will satisfy your guests.

Brushing your teeth is one of the best ways to protect your smile—but did you know that it’s possible to brush too hard? While good oral hygiene helps prevent cavities and gum disease, aggressive brushing can actually harm your teeth and gums over time. If you’ve noticed increased sensitivity or receding gums, you might be brushing with more force than necessary.

Here’s how to tell if you’re brushing too hard and what you can do to keep your smile healthy.

If you love sweets, you know how hard it can be to resist that cookie after lunch or a late-night scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, your sweet tooth can take a toll on your dental health. Sugar is one of the main culprits behind cavities—it feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth that produce acids, which in turn eat away at tooth enamel. But don’t worry—you don’t have to give up your favorite treats to keep your teeth healthy. With the right habits, you can protect your smile and still enjoy a little indulgence. Here’s how to avoid cavities when you have a sweet tooth.

If you’ve been missing teeth for quite some time now, there is a chance your jawbone has experienced some shrinkage. This can make it difficult to support a restoration like dentures, but wait – you’re not necessarily out of luck! A bone graft could give your jawbone the strength it needs by adding to its mass. Keep reading to see how your dentist can help.

When you have stained or discolored teeth, it’s understandable that you’d want to get them whiter as fast as possible.  So, why then does your dentist insist on giving them a dental examination before whitening treatment? After all, should you require any fillings, won’t that just delay your results even longer? The truth is, exposing damage like cavities and tooth decay to teeth whitening can be very dangerous. Here’s why it’s so important to repair your teeth before beginning professional whitening!

There are many reasons why you may let too much time pass between your dental visits. Whether it’s time, money, fear, or countless other explanations, the important thing is to return for preventive care sooner rather than later. When you decide to schedule an appointment, you may wonder what your visit will be like after all this time. Read on to discover what you can expect when meeting your dentist for a regular dental checkup.