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Posts Tagged ‘Bad-bite’

Are You One More TMJ Click Away From Expert Dental Advice?

Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

5828041_blogTMJ disorder is usually mild, but it can cause unpleasant symptoms and affect your day to day life. If you’re suffering with TMJ problems, we can help! We are just a phone call away and we also provide expert advice via our website.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint; TMJ disorder is the name given to a collection of symptoms, which affect this joint. The TMJ is a very busy and important joint; it joins the lower jaw to the skull and is involved in common actions, such as opening and closing the mouth and moving the jaw. Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include clicking and popping noises in the jaw, stiffness or pain in the joint, restricted movement, earache, headaches and neck and shoulder pain.

In some cases, TMJ disorder may be linked to tooth grinding, which is commonly caused by stress of anxiety. Biting down on the teeth increases pressure on the joint and the facial muscles and this contributes to aches and pains. Other potential causes include injuries to the joint and orthodontic problems.

How we can help

In many cases, no formal treatment is required and symptoms disappear quickly; however, in more serious cases, treatment may be required. If TMJ disorder is linked to tooth grinding, we recommend using a bite guard, which is a device used to prevent the upper and lower sets of teeth clashing during the night. We can also recommend stress management techniques. If orthodontic issues could be a factor, we can examine the mouth and analyse the bite to see if orthodontic treatment would be beneficial; this usually involves braces, but there are many different treatment systems available today, including discreet and very quick options.

Troublesome Thumb-Sucking Can Test Your Toddlers Teeth

Monday, May 12th, 2014

398467_blogMany children suck their thumbs as a comfort when they are tired, upset or ill and while it can be very cute, it can also be problematic for the teeth. Thumb-sucking can contribute to orthodontic issues, which may require treatment in the future.

The implications of thumb-sucking

Sucking your thumb is a very common childhood habit, but ideally, you should try to encourage your child to stop at an early age, as sucking the thumb over a prolonged period of time can affect tooth development and cause the front teeth to be pushed forward, which may change the alignment of your child’s lower and upper arches of the teeth and cause problems with speech and the formation of sounds, as well as the look of the smile.

If there are any issues with your child’s bite, which is the term used to describe the way in which both sets of teeth match-up together, the most common course of action to take is orthodontic treatment. The aim of this treatment is to straighten the teeth to improve oral function and speech and make the smile look more attractive. Children who have large buck teeth or protruding front teeth may get teased and this can have long-lasting implications for confidence and self-esteem.

Ways to encourage your child to stop sucking their thumb

It’s often harder to stop your child from sucking their thumb than using a dummy because obviously the thumb is attached and cannot be take away, like a dummy can. Often, it’s a good idea to introduce alternatives, such as a comforter or a teddy bear or to do a deal with your child so that they get the chance to earn rewards if they agree to stop sucking their thumb.