Facial pain can be a warning sign of TMJ. With the central facial location of the joint, pain can easily spread across your face. If you start to have ache or pain in you face without knowing a direct cause, talk to your dentist and see if it is a TMJ issue

There are a group of gum diseases that affects the periodontium (periodontium is made of the alveolar bone, the gums, the periodontal ligament and the cementum) at different levels.   The first stage is gingivitis: Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums on the surface and does not touch the alveolar bone. Gingivitis can be treated by a dentist along with having proper at home dental care habits.

However when inflammation and infection reaches the perodontium in a deeper manner, the disease is called perodontitis. Perodontitis has several stages which depend on how much tissue and alveolar bone is destroyed.   The dentist is about to determine at what stage the periodontitis is by measuring the perodontal pockets (The space between a tooth and the gum around it) at six sites around each tooth. By doing this the dentist can get an idea of the destruction of the bone and the severity of the periodontitis

The quality of today’s dental prostheses (dentures and partials) can help persons who have lost some or all of their natural teeth improve their quality of life by restoring lost function and esthetics.

What are Bitewing Radiographs ?

Bitewing radiographs are X-rays that are used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as they bite down. Dentists use radiographs for many reasons such as to find hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss, and cavities.

Many dental insurance plan have a lifetime maximum limitation. Which is the cumulative dollar amount that an insurance plan will pay for dental care incurred by an individual enrollee or if on a family plan per member, for the life of the enrollee or the plan. Lifetime maximums generally apply to specific dental services such as orthodontic treatment.

Clicking, grating or popping sounds (possibly caused by injury) that may emanate from your jaw as it moves could be a warning sign of TMJ. If you are experiencing this make sure to speak to your dentist so he/she can verify the causing factor

Pain while chewing can be a sign of TMJ. When your jaw is rigid and tight, you feel discomfort with every bite you take. If you are experiencing such a pain while chewing talk to your dentist

What is a Bicuspid ?

Bicuspid or Premolar tooth is a tooth with two cusps. The term bicuspid refers to eight of the 32 permanent teeth. There are no bicuspids in primary teeth, the bicuspids grow in to replace primary molars. Two bicuspids are on each side of the upper and lower jaw, behind the canine teeth and in front of the molars.

Root caries (decay) is caused by exposure of the tooth root to decay-causing acids. This happens when the tooth roots becomes exposed as gum tissue recedes from the tooth.

Root decay is one of the more significant dental issue facing older adults.  Some of the reasons for this is due to dentures, lack of dexterity, a shift from complex to simple sugars, and poor oral hygiene.

Root caries is the major cause of tooth loss in older adults, and tooth loss is the most significant oral health-related negative variable of quality of life for the elderly