Dental Group West Blog

Eating disorders can affect much more than a person’s relationship with food. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder can also have significant effects on oral health. Because some complications develop gradually, regular dental visits can be an important part of identifying and managing these problems.

If you’re toasting to your friends’ health with a cold one in your hand, it’s probably not their oral health that’s on your mind. It’s easy (especially after you’ve had a few) to overlook how alcoholic beverages can affect your teeth and gums. Beer isn’t necessarily off-limits if you want to maintain good oral health, but, like with a lot of things, enjoying it in moderation is best. Drinking beer too frequently or excessively can lead to several dental concerns. Let’s explore a few.

When the shoes or shirt you choose to wear for the day don’t fit properly, it can result in some frustrating (albeit temporary) discomfort. The good news is that in most cases, whatever issues arose from those decisions should go away soon. However, when you continue to make use of clothing or of prosthetics like dentures that have a poor fit, it can not only be more painful, but the side effects can really stack up. Here’s a closer look at five surprising dangers of improperly fitting dentures, and what you can do to prevent them!

You’re snuggled up in bed, trying desperately to fall asleep, but you swear you hear it: a constant ringing in your ears. This is a common experience for those with tinnitus, a condition that can make you hear ringing, humming, or a dull roar that is not created by an external source. Tinnitus symptoms can range from mildly irritating to downright debilitating depending on how loud the perceived sounds become.

With that textbook definition out of the way, you might be wondering what the TMJ (temporomandibular joint – a joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) has to do with chronic ear-ringing. The connection is a detailed one, so you’ll have to keep reading to get the scoop!

Denture sores are irritated or inflamed areas on the gums that develop when dentures don’t fit quite right or when they create repeated pressure on soft tissue. One of the most common causes is an improper fit, which can happen as the shape of the gums naturally changes over time. Even well-made dentures may need periodic adjustments.

Other causes include trapped food particles beneath the denture, poor oral hygiene, or wearing dentures for too long without giving the gums a break. In some cases, new denture wearers are more prone to sores simply because their mouth is still adjusting to the appliance. Underlying conditions such as oral yeast infections (like thrush) can also worsen irritation.

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.