Tag Archives: Plano teeth bleaching

General Dentistry, TMJ

TMJ self help

I think I have TMJ and I want to try to treat it myself before going to a dentist. I don’t want to have to purchase a mouth guard or splint if I don’t need one. What can I do at home to treat it? – Tabitha

Tabitha – There are some things you can do at home that may alleviate your TMJ symptoms:

  • Avoid hard, chewy, or stick foods that put more pressure on the jaw muscles.
  • Alternately apply heat and ice packs on the outside of your face.
  • Avoid chewing gum.
  • Locate your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and gently massage it. Put your finger on the triangular structure in front of your ear, just below your temple. Slide your finger forward and press while you open and close your mouth. As you press, you will likely feel soreness in the TMJ area.
  • Find and do exercises for your jaw muscles. You can find suggestions on official TMJ association websites. Gently work through the exercises, and don’t overdo it.
  • Find ways to relax. TMJ often results from teeth grinding, which is often stress related.

After several weeks, if your pain, jaw popping, headaches, or earaches, do not decrease,  or if the symptoms increase, contact your dentist. You will likely need an oral appliance to relax your jaw muscles and prevent teeth grinding.

If you have dental insurance, contact your insurance provider to find out if any benefits are provided for a night guard. Otherwise, ask your dentist how a night guard can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Pediatric Dentistry

Does my child really need a root canal?

My daughter is 7 years old and she has had a horrible toothache for about 2 weeks. It hasn’t been horrible from the beginning, it just got progressively worse. I took her to our pediatric dentist, and she recommended a root canal for my daughter. She called it a pulpotamie (spelling?) but it’s basically the same thing. I am wondering if this is necessary if my daughter is going to lose the tooth anyway. Or why can’t the tooth just be extracted? I am just a little suspicious and for more reasons that this one incident. Thanks. Amy

Amy – If your daughter has an increasingly painful toothache, it’s a sign of an infection, which will continue to spread until it is removed.

A pulpotomy will remove the infection. A dental crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it. One of the advantages to keeping the tooth is that it will prevent the adjacent teeth from moving into an empty space if the tooth is extracted. Additionally, primary teeth help guide permanent teeth into the correct position.

You can consider visiting another pediatric dentist or family dentist to examine, and likely x-ray, your daughter’s tooth and provide you with a second opinion.

 

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening

Free teeth whitening turned my teeth gray

I got free teeth whitening online and it turned my teeth a weird gray color. I only used it twice. I am afraid that I have totally messed up my teeth. What could have happened? – Lanai

Lanai – If a product that was marketed as teeth whitening gel turned your teeth gray in just two uses, you didn’t receive whitening gel. Without looking at the container or testing the gel, it’s difficult to say what you received.

See a dentist right away and take the product with you to the appointment. Your teeth need to be examined to determine what needs to be done to help restore them.

For our readers: The safest way to whiten your teeth is through your dentist. If you choose to purchase online products, do your research first. Free products or products that are exceptionally low in cost may not yield good results.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening, Tooth-Colored Fillings

Will teeth whitening help my old fillings?

I not floss my teeth so I had to fillings in between my front teeth. They are the composite white ones but I’ve had them for about 8 yrs. They are now yellowing and you can see where the tooth where the dentist took out cleared out the teeth to put in the filling. I want to fix this look. Will teeth whitening lighten up the filling? – Carlise

Carlise – Teeth whitening will whiten your teeth, but it will not change the color of your old composite filling.

See an experienced cosmetic dentist. He or she will whiten your teeth first. After your teeth are the shade of white you want, the cosmetic dentist will mix composite to match the color of your natural teeth. The new fillings will blend in and won’t be noticeable.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.