Diet for TMJ/TMD

When TMJ flares up, many people will find relief in a night guard, but may also find relief from changing diet. Food choices will depend on the amount of pain you experience and your ability to open your mouth. For those who suffer from minimal pain, a soft or easy chew diet will reduce symptoms. Our doctors at Evans Dental Care suggest incorporating these foods into your diet if you suffer from TMJ.

Soft foods give your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers, and cheesecake are good things to choose from. Avoid foods that are crunchy, as they will aggravate the temporomandibular joint.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

The temporomandibular joint acts as a sliding hinge, connecting our jawbone to the skull. This joint allows us to move our jaw up and down, side to side, and lets us talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions characterized by pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues and limitation in jaw movements. Fortunately, relief is available. Here at Evans Dental Care, we can alleviate this condition. 

Symptoms associated with the temporomandibular joint disorder, include pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints, ringing in the ears, facial swelling, and/or muscle spasms and lockjaw. If the pain is severe and doesn’t go away, our doctors may suggest a night guard to alleviate pressure on the jaw during sleep. They may also suggest applying a warm compress to the face to reduce inflammation, as well as stress reduction techniques to prevent teeth from grinding together.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

How to Beat Bad Breath

Most of us are no stranger to bad breath. In fact, studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath or halitosis, at some point in their lives. It’s one thing to have a foul odor protruding from the mouth after eating a cup of coffee, smoking a cigarette, or eating a meal that is heavy in garlic or onions. Regardless of what is causing your bad breath, our doctors at Evans Dental Care can help you get the situation or stink, under control.

Bad breath can happen at any time of the day due to the large quantities of bacteria that are always present in the mouth. When we eat, the foods left in the mouth feed on these bacteria and result in a foul-smelling odor. Dry mouth, periodontal disease, and lifestyle factors such as smoking will also contribute to bad breath. You can combat these odors by brushing at least twice a day and cleaning between the teeth with floss after every meal. Regular dental checkups will help you prevent periodontal disease and dry mouth and stop these conditions before they become serious.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or bad breath, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Sjogren's Syndrome

People with conditions that affect their oral health will be treated with understanding at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg. As a holistic practice, we pay close attention to how the mouth relates to the rest of the body. Sjögren’s Syndrome is one disorder which has repercussions for which patients will depend on an informed dentist’s help to manage.

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that usually occurs in older women. It describes what happens when the immune system attacks the tear and saliva glands, along with the joints and skin. Besides being painful, it prevents the body from producing enough saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Without saliva, patients will also have more difficulty removing food debris from their mouths, increasing their risk of dental or gum infection.

It is unknown what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome. However, it is possible to manage dry mouth. Patients are advised to chew sugar-free gum and to use throat moisturizers. Diagnosing Sjögren’s Syndrome will require a sampling of the patient’s saliva glands. If the tests come back positive, we may be able to help patients obtain stronger medications for stimulating saliva production.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Electric Toothbrushes

At the holistic practice of Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, we encourage our patients to develop the oral hygiene routine that meets their unique needs. In the face of the wide variety of products on the market today, we want to help our patients to make one of their biggest choices: whether to use an electric toothbrush.

An electric toothbrush is not cheap. Moreover, studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are not better than correct use of manual toothbrushes for preventing tooth decay and gingivitis. But correct use of a manual toothbrush requires it to be used for two full minutes per session and on every tooth surface. Some people have a lot of trouble doing this.

An electric toothbrush is obviously a less stressful option for people with motor neuron disorders or who otherwise have difficulty using their hands. Many electric toothbrushes also come with apps that inform the patient of which tooth surfaces they’re skipping over and whether they’re brushing too hard or for long enough. Some are also compatible with mobile device games for children that reward them for improving their brushing. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the price of the electric option is less than whatever cost a particular patient is likely to incur if they continue to be unable to use a manual toothbrush.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Enamel Erosion

If you’ve ever examined your smile in the mirror, you’re taking a good look at your enamel. Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth and has been deemed the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel is strong, but it’s not invincible. Once enamel is destroyed by acidic foods and beverages, or by constant grinding of the teeth, it won’t return. Allow our doctors at Evans Dental Care to give you a lesson in enamel erosion.

When enamel on the teeth wears down, teeth may become hypersensitive. This means that you may find it more difficult to consume hot or cold foods and beverages because the dentin, which protects the teeth from these temperatures, has been reduced. Tooth sensitivity may occur both on the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth, so if you notice these changes, schedule an oral exam so that treatment options can be discussed.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or enamel erosion, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Veneers

Patients of Evans Dental Care are always asking our doctors about the latest cosmetic solutions for their teeth.  Some fixes are recommended just to repair damage or just to whiten, but veneers are the best way to give your smile a total makeover. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth.  This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.

Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. We can make this happen in as little as two visits!  First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Then an impression of your teeth is taken in order to custom-fit the final product to the surfaces of your teeth.  The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be fabricated, which may take up to two weeks.  On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear and enjoy!

To learn more about veneers and all the services we offer, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.