The following key muscles connect to the TMJ: Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active. The following is the key muscles that connect to the TMJ

• Masseter. The most powerful jaw muscle in mastication, or chewing, the masseter lifts your jaw and closes your mouth.
• Pterygoid muscles. The lateral and medial pterygoids are involved in jaw-lifting, mouth-closing and sliding your jaw forward or from side to side.
• Temporalis muscle. The temporalis, which runs from the temporal bone at each side of the head to the bony part of the lower jaw, is a chewing muscle involved in crushing and grinding.

Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active.

Some people can be more likely to get dry socket after having a tooth pulled due to a few factors. That includes people who: 

• Smoke 
• Have poor oral and dental hygiene
• Have wisdom teeth pulled
• Have greater then normal trauma during the tooth extraction surgery 
• Use birth control pills 
• Have a history of dry socket after having teeth pulled
• Rinsing and spitting a lot or drinking through a straw after having a tooth extracted also can increase your risk of getting dry socket.

What Are The Warning Signs of Dry Socket

I had my wisdom teeth pulled two days ago and now the extraction sites really hurting me more then before. Is this a sign of dry socket?

Reply: You will want to look at the site where the tooth was extracted. If you have dry socket you will probably notice a dry looking opening. Instead of a dark blood clot you will notice there will just be whitish bone. The pain typically starts about two days after the tooth was pulled. Over time it becomes more severe and can radiate to your ear. Additional symptoms of dry socket include bad breath and an unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.  If you are noticing these symptoms you should consult with your dentist right away.

Porcelain crowns are used for both cosmetic and restorative results for discolored, chipped or broken teeth. Yet, there are two factors to consider: First, porcelain crowns are more costly than other treatments and second, a crown requires the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure. On the other hand, crowns are stronger than the other cosmetic choices and can last for many years with good dental health habits. Porcelain crowns are reserved for permanent teeth that are fully erupted with the gum tissue at its adult position.

Dental caries (cavities), is an infection of the teeth, which represent another physiological burden, especially important for those whose systems are already weakened by diseases and aging.

In 1988-94 nearly one-third of adults 65 years of age and older with natural teeth had untreated dental cavities in either the crown or the root of their teeth.  Dental caries is one of the main causes of tooth loss for both young and old adults.  Although the prevalence of dental caries has declined in the U.S. overall, declines have not occurred among the most socially disadvantaged groups of older adults.

When you do not have your teeth as white as you may like but can not afford whitening treatment many people turn to baking soda as a home home remedy. 

However there are good and bad’s to baking soda being use to white your teeth which should be consider before using.  Goods:  

• Cost: One of the main driving factor is that baking soda is the poor man way to whiten teeth. Since baking soda can be bough for under five dollars. 
• Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, and that is why it is so effective for removing surface stains from your teeth.
• As a bonus, baking soda has been found to neutralize bacterial acids and other components that cause bad breath.  Bads:  
• Baking soda does not whiten your tooth color it only helps to remove surface stains from your teeth.  
• It is also believed that baking soda can erode orthodontic glue and fasteners for bridges. 
•   The most notable mark in the negative column for baking soda as a tooth whitening product is that it is highly abrasive. Teeth are rather delicate and can be easily damaged by products like this.

I do not have money to spend on whiten products but I been told that baking soda can whiten your teeth. Is this true.

Reply: While baking soda can help to brighten and prevent discoloration of your teeth, it will not necessarily make your teeth a whiter shade of white. You will probably need a whitening product that contains bleach for that.

As you age it is important to maintain your oral and dental health. Yet many seniors do not maintain seeing a dentist regularly due to cost factors.  However, there are many good HMO dental insurance plans that are low cost plans that greatly reduce the cost of having dental services therefore making it affordable to maintain your dental health care needs.  On this website we provide many affordable dental insurance plans.  We are always happy to help you if you should have any questions about our dental insurance plans just call member services at 310-534-3444 M-F 8-4.

Decalcification can also cause white spots The beginning of a cavity can appear like a white chalky spot on the enamel. This is due to the plaque sitting on the teeth for long periods of time and releasing acids that decay the tooth. Sometimes people that have braces and do not brush very well may see decalcification that forms around the braces.

In dentistry, an abutment is the connecting tooth (or implant) that supports a dental prosthesis. An abutment used in the context of a fixed bridge, partial removable dentures,  and in implants (used to attach a crown, bridge, or removable denture to the dental implant fixture.