James Olsen, DDS Blog

Ultimately, it’s best to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) with a professional dentist. They will have the knowledge, skills, and tools to fully address the cause of your problem. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ease some of your condition’s soreness on your own. It turns out there are some home methods for reducing TMJ discomfort. To learn more, here are seven home exercises that can help with TMD pain from your Ann Arbor dentist.

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Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! These awesome aligners can completely transform a crooked smile into a beautifully straight set of pearly whites—and much more quickly and discreetly than traditional braces! However, teeth can be stubborn, and sometimes they shift back to their original, crooked positions many years after finishing orthodontic treatment. That said, you might be wondering if you can use Invisalign to address this, even if you’ve already worn traditional braces in the past. In most cases, the answer is yes! Keep reading to learn more.

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Everyone loves to eat! But sometimes, eating can be tricky and uncomfortable if you suffer from TMJ disorder. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most important joint in your whole body, so when it starts to run into problems and your ability to eat is affected, seeking treatment is crucial. But is there anything you can do yourself to help manage your jaw pain? Keep reading to learn more about how being mindful of your diet can play a huge role in managing your TMJ discomfort, along with some additional tips for preventing jaw pain.

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If you’re dealing with TMJ disorder, see your Ann Arbor dentist. They’ll likely be able to prescribe you a mouth guard, pain relievers, or therapy to help. Until then, you’ll want to steer clear of anything that would aggravate your condition. After all, there’s no point in making your wait more painful than necessary. That said, here are four things to avoid if you have TMJ issues.

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If you’re unhappy with your smile because of crooked and misaligned teeth, you might be curious about Invisalign. Maybe you’ve heard a lot about these awesome aligners, and their discreetness and convenience are quite appealing to you—but you still have a few questions. One thing that many patients wonder is if they can still get cavities while undergoing treatment. Keep reading to learn more about how you can still unfortunately develop cavities during your Invisalign treatment if you aren’t careful, along with some tips for preventing them.

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You may not have given much thought to how your gum chewing habits could affect your mouth and jaw. However, research suggests that there may be a link between TMJ disorder and regular gum chewing. So, whether you like to smack on gum to freshen your breath, stave off hunger, or reduce stress, here’s how it could potentially contribute to the development of TMJ disorder in Ann Arbor.

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Are you undergoing Invisalign treatment? Are you also considering traveling this year? Whether it’s for summer vacation or a special occasion, you can be sure to enjoy your time putting miles on the soul! However, it can also be more challenging for those who are wearing clear aligners. Read on to learn a few important tips for traveling with Invisalign. 

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When you have TMD, you already know that it causes severe discomfort. You’d want to visit your dentist to help fix it in most circumstances. They could give you a nightguard or some other orthodontic treatment.

However, you might not be able to get TMD relief from your Ann Arbor dentist right away. If that happens, try these three at-home remedies for TMD, at least until you find professional help!

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Adding floss to your Invisalign experience might sound tedious, at least at first. You already make sure to take out your trays before eating. Plus, you remember to brush your teeth before putting them back in your mouth. Do you need to floss on top of everything else?

The short answer is “yes.” For a longer answer, read these facts on flossing with Invisalign by your Ann Arbor dentist.

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Not all of us naturally developed the perfectly straight smile that we see on the big screen. Fortunately, thanks to modern dental innovations, you don’t need to settle for a mouthful of metal brackets and wires either! Invisalign can correct misalignment issues without taking away from your appearance, but will it take away your ability to enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Continue reading to find out if coffee and Invisalign mix.

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