Advanced Cosmetic and General Dentistry Blog

Studio City, Valley Village, Burbank, North Hollywood

Thursday, March 4, 2010

TMJ Pain

The Temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD can occur for several reasons. Some examples include grinding or clenching of the teeth, the disc between the ball and socket becomes dislocated, arthritis in the TMJ, or if you do not have an ideal bite in which the teeth meet properly. Some common symptoms of TMD are; pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, an inability to open the mouth very wide, jaw gets stuck or locked in one position, clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth, sleep deprivation, pain in or around the ear, neck or shoulders when chewing or speaking, and pain or discomfort when chewing.

There are several other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including sinus problems, gum disease, toothache and migraines. There are different ways to treat the disorder, your dentist can often make a dental appliance that will help support your jaw without the need to use your jaw muscles. It’s very important to get a proper diagnosis from a dental healthcare professional so you’ll know if you’re suffering from TMD or not and then be treated properly. If you or someone you know is suffering from some of these symptoms, be sure to call Smiles By Sands at 818-766-6121 to set up a consultation.

posted by Judith M. at 12:43 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Avoiding Canker Sores

Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or SLS is a foaming agent used in most toothpastes and mouth rinses. People with canker sores, also known, as aphthous ulcers might have SLS to thank for their outbreaks. It dries out the protective layer of tissue in the mouth and makes the underlying tissue more susceptible to breakouts especially when acidic foods are introduced to the environment. Canker sores can be intensely painful lesions for some people or just a simple annoyance to others. To avoid and prevent future outbreaks, it's best to eliminate Sodium Laurel Sulfate from your oral hygiene products. There are several products available that do not contain SLS, you just have to read the list of ingredients first.

posted by Judith M. at 3:11 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love. We want all of our patients to know that you really make us love our jobs. We love seeing your smiling faces in our office everyday. We hope you have a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with love. From the entire team at Smiles By Sands.

posted by Judith M. at 11:18 AM 0 comments

Halitosis and Kissing

We all have microorganisms living in our mouth as well as in our entire body. Some live harmoniously, helping us process and digest our foods and balance our systems. Other bacteria wreak havoc. Someone who doesn't have good oral hygiene or is dealing with periodontal disease, most likely has bad bacteria living in the tissues in their mouth. These bad bacteria can cause bad breath, bleeding, pain and discomfort and eventually tooth loss. And, yes kissing someone with gum disease or a mouth full of bacteria can transfer the bacteria to you because you are exchanging saliva and therefore, bacteria. Whether or not bacteria becomes a part of the other person's oral population depends on a few different factors, including genetic makeup and resistance.

If someone you know has serious halitosis, it's always best to tell them. They may not even know they have bad breath. It might be an infection that can have harmful effects on mouth tissues. These bacteria reside in the delicate tissues that surround the teeth and have the potential to cause systemic damage. Although it may be hard to tell someone you love that they have bad breath, it really is in their best interest, as well as yours to mention it. It is important for both of you to see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screeing no matter how "clean" you think your mouth is.

posted by Judith M. at 10:59 AM 0 comments

Monday, February 1, 2010

Helping Out

Dr. Jamie Sands will be volunteering with the San Fernando Dental Society to screen and treat children this February for their Give Kids A Smile program.

posted by Judith M. at 2:32 PM 0 comments

Dental Health and Vitamin Deficiencies

It is vital to the maintanence of good oral health to have the proper amount of vitamin's in your system. When a person is deficient in a vitamin, it can affect the mouth and teeth. Vitamin deficiencies can be due to problems absorbing nutrients from food. Illness, age and diet can be reasons for poor absorption. One of the reasons people experience vitamin deficiencies is due to their diet. It is important to make sure that you are getting all your nutrient rich foods in your daily meals.

Vitamin Deficincies and Symptoms:
  • Vitamin B - Increases your risk of getting: canker sores, mucosal candidiasis (a fungal infection) and angular cheilitis (a painful inflammation in the mouth) if amounts are insufficient.
  • Vitamin C - Gums can bleed more easily, can also cause fatigue and easy bruising if there is a deficiency.
  • Vitamin A - Causes delayed healing in the mouth when there is a lack of this vitamin (since adequate amounts help skin cells grow).
  • Vitamin D - Bone density and strength is decreased if there is a lack of the vitamin in combination with calcium. This could increase the chances of getting jaw fractures and gum disease.
  • Vitamin K - Slow healing can occur if deficient (since this vitamin aids in blood clotting). A lack can cause excessive bleeding after a tooth extraction and even sometimes after a normal teeth cleaning.

If you suspect that you may be having symptoms that might be due to a lack of vitamins, be sure to discuss it with Dr. Sands at your next visit.

posted by Judith M. at 11:44 AM 0 comments

Friday, January 15, 2010

Options Available to Fix Broken/Chipped Teeth

Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth depends on the type, location, and how much of the tooth is involved. Broken or chipped teeth can be repaired by using a variety of treatments and techniques such as dental bonding, dental veneers or porcelain crowns.

Dental bonding is a simple technique that produces dramatic results and is used in the case of a relatively small defect. Dental bonding is performed directly on the defective tooth and requires expertise and artistry to ensure the tooth is sculpted, shaded and polished correctly to achieve a good result.

Porcelain dental veneers are thin wafer-like ceramic shells applied on the surface of the natural tooth to repair broken or chipped teeth. Modern advances in materials and technology have made it possible for porcelain dental veneers to look totally natural and undetectable from your own teeth.

A dental crown is a restoration that encases your entire defective tooth and is sometimes referred to as a "cap". A dental crown can strengthen a broken or chipped tooth as well as improve its’ appearance and function.

Please contact Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Studio City, California today to discuss what options may be available for you to repair your broken or chipped tooth with the most recent advances in dentistry technology.

posted by Tiffany at 3:24 PM 0 comments