Dental Blog

If your TMJ pain progresses and isn’t improving, TMJ physical therapy is something patients can consider. Physical therapy for TMJ disorders can involve a number of treatments including heat/cold therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and massage. Stretching and relaxing exercises are usually combined with the treatment to further improve results. If you do suffer from TMJ pain, it may be a good idea to see...

Oral cancer is divided into two categories – those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth) and those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue). Early detection...

Sleep apnea is a common and serious sleeping disorder that happens when your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep. Snoring is common among patients with sleep apnea but not all snorers have sleep apnea. There are two main types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea. The more common form, it is the result of blocked airflow during sleep, usually when the...

An abscessed tooth is an infection caused by tooth decay, periodontal disease or a cracked tooth. These problems can let bacteria enter the pulp (the soft tissue of a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) and can lead to pulp death. When pus builds up at the root tip in the jaw bone, it forms a pus-pocket...

Oral Thrush: What Is It? The lining of your mouth may end up accumulating a fungus called Candida albicans, which is a condition more commonly called oral thrush. This condition causes lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks, that may appear white in colour. If you scrape your tongue regularly, these lesions can be painful and may even bleed slightly. Oral...

What Causes Halitosis? If quick bad breath fixes are only covering up the problem for a short time, something else may be happening in your body, including:  Dental Issues: Cavities and deeper pockets from gum disease give bad breath bacteria extra places to hide in your mouth that are difficult to clear out when you’re brushing or cleaning between your teeth. Either...

When you have burning mouth syndrome, it is as if someone has ignited a fire in your mouth. Many years ago, I struggled with this condition myself, so I know how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. Even though I was a dental hygienist, I was baffled about what was causing my problem. I felt like a fire-eater in the...

If you suffer from a dry, cottony-feeling mouth, you are not alone. Many adults suffer from dry mouth, but with the proper care and attention, you can restore your mouth’s moisture and kick dry mouth to the curb. Dry mouth occurs when your salivary glands don’t produce as much saliva as you normally need, which can leave you with an...

It may seem logical that the harder you brush your teeth, the cleaner they’ll be. But applying too much pressure can actually weaken the outer layers of the tooth structure. This condition, called dental abrasion, can occur when any foreign object causes friction against your teeth and gradually wears away the enamel on the surface. If you’ve noticed the signs of dental abrasion, small...