Braces are not just for children anymore. Braces can alleviate dental problems of all ages. Braces have now become stylish instead of looking like a metal fence across your mouth. If you are wondering whether you should look into braces, here are the common dental signs that you need braces.

Spacing

Spacing is the most common condition that is treated with braces, which occurs when teeth are spaced too far apart. If you sucked your thumb or improperly chewed in childhood, this may have been the cause of the spacing. Sometimes the teeth are too close to each other, which may cause teeth to shift inward and outward. This condition is called “overcrowding”. These conditions make the teeth more susceptible to periodontal disease (gum disease). To find out if there are spacing problems in your (or your children’s) teeth just look in the mirror. If there are noticeable gaps between teeth or if some of the teeth are shifting inward/outward, then you likely need braces.

Overbite: An overbite is a dental condition in which the upper front teeth are noticeably overlapping the bottom front teeth. If the bottom teeth are covered by the top teeth when you smile, then you likely have an overbite. A slight overbite is common and does not always require braces.

Underbite: An underbite is the opposite of an overbite: the bottom front teeth overlap or protrude in front of the top front teeth.

Crossbite: A crossbite occurs when a single tooth (or a row of teeth) is positioned closer to the cheek or to the tongue than its neighboring teeth. This can make the teeth look crooked, or even cause them to overlap each other.

If you have frequent jaw pain, headaches, tooth decay, difficulty chewing, or have a speech impediment, it could be caused by one of conditions described above. Ignoring such conditions can cause arthritis and inflammation of the jaw joint near the temple.

Additional Help

To find a local dentist for consultation on braces use TalkLocal.  TalkLocal can connect you to up to three dentists in your area who can give you the help you need, when you need it.

Relieve Tooth Extraction Pain

Are you having pain issues following a tooth extraction? Your doctor likely prescribed you something after the extraction to ease the pain. However, if you find that these medications are not helping you deal with the pain, it is best to talk to your doctor directly about the problem (since the doctor knows exactly what kind of procedure you had done). You can also take steps to ensure that the healing process goes well.

How to Ensure Smooth Healing

After the dentist dislodges the tooth forcefully, your body is going to bleed no matter what – and since the breach in the blood vessels (the place in which the tooth used to be) is concave (as in, caved in), the blood clot is going to form in the concavity of the gum. It is best to not upset this clot – when you dislodge the clot a new one has to form, altering and hindering the natural healing process.

So take care to avoid dislodging/upsetting the naturally forming clot in any way. It’s also a good idea to sleep, since the body heals fastest when it is not using excess energy – also limited movement while sleeping helps against dislodging the clot.

Avoid any actions that may dislodge a blood clot:

– Smoking

– Spitting excessively

– Operating an oral instrument

– Eating foods that involve a lot of chewing

– Drinking from a straw

Even if the clot gets dislodges or falls out, don’t panic – just let it be. A new clot will form.

Bleeding signifies that blood vessels are open. That means that your body is more susceptible to germs and infections than before. Maintain good hygiene and double check the foods/objects that you are putting inside your mouth in order to prevent infections.

Be gentle when you clean your mouth. Dentists recommend washing the mouth frequently with salt water in order to kill any harmful germs/bacteria within your mouth. However, salt can cause pain when it is applied directly to wounds in excessive amounts.

Additional Help

If you feel like you need professional help with any kind of tooth or oral pain, TalkLocal can connect you with up to three local professionals in just minutes!

Although most of your teeth grow in when you are a child, your final group of teeth, a third set of molars, grow in as you reach adulthood, usually in your later teen years or your early twenties. You will grow four wisdom teeth, one in each of the back corners of your mouth. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth frequently come in unaligned, or without enough room and can harm the rest of your teeth. If your wisdom teeth are becoming a threat to the rest of your teeth, you will usually begin to notice impacted wisdom teeth symptoms.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Symptoms

– Jawbone discomfort

– Bad breathe

– Tenderness in the gum

– Headaches

– Infection in the area around the sprouting wisdom tooth

– Swelling and/or redness in the gum in the area where your wisdom tooth is coming in

– Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw

– Jaw stiffness

– Difficulty opening mouth

– A hole where the wisdom tooth is coming in instead of the tooth appearing

– Only part of the tooth appearing

If you are noticing these symptoms, you should contact your dentist to find out whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed or not. If your wisdom teeth need to be removed, your dentist may be able to remove them; however, many dentists will refer you to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal. Note that in rare cases impacted wisdom teeth may not result in any symptoms, so it would be wise to consult with your dentist when your wisdom teeth begin to come in, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Your dentist can x-ray your mouth to determine the health of your wisdom teeth and whether they are likely to cause damage.

If you do not have a dentist, you can use TalkLocal to on the phone in minutes with up to three high quality dentists in your area that are available when you are.

A common question asked everyday is “why do I clench my teeth at night?”, and it’s important to know the answer – teeth clenching is caused by anxiety and stress and it may arise from a condition called bruxism. Anyone at any age is susceptible to this condition and the only true way to stop yourself from clenching is by reducing stress and anxiety. Bruxism can range from mild to severe and, if left untreated, can lead to headaches, damaged teeth, jaw disorders, and other problems.

Utilizing the right methods, it is possible to reduce your stress and anxiety, as well as temporarily relieve your jaw muscles.  Here are some tips:

1. Keep your lips closed and your teeth apart. Your teeth should only be touching when eating.

2. Take a warm bath before you sleep. The warmth can relax your jaw muscles temporarily. Similarly, applying a warm, damp cloth to your jaw can have the same effect.

3. Exercise frequently. Exercise is a proven stress-beater.

4. Take an ibuprofen medicine – these can dull the pain and help relax stiff muscles.

5. Don’t overuse your jaw muscles. Try eating foods like fruit or something soft that don’t give your jaw a workout.

These are all temporary solutions that can help, but if you truly want to fix the issue, it’s in your best interest to visit a dentist. A dentist will suggest similar tactics, but he or she can also issue a dental clench-guard that is designed to protect teeth against the pressure resulting from clenching and grinding. However, this solution generally costs a few hundred dollars, so if you’re looking for something cheap and temporary, you can purchase a mouth guard from your local sports shop. Boil it in water to make it malleable for your teeth.

If teeth-clenching is an issue for you, we recommend going to a dentist for a more permanent solution. If you’re looking for a highly-rated dentist in your local area, consider using TalkLocal, a FREE service that connects you with the best professionals in just a few minutes. All you need to do is enter in your specific problems/symptoms, location and availability, and TalkLocal will contact multiple dentists who will then call YOU directly, ready to help. Save time, stress, and pain from searching for the right, most affordable dentist, and let TalkLocal do it for you!

If you notice a hole in your tooth, you should call your dentist immediately.  This is a serious issue that should be taken care of as soon as possible. Get the highest rated Dental Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $7.99.

Possible causes

Improper care and poor cleaning can lead to holes in your teeth.  Eating poorly, such as candy, junk food or anything too sugary, can wear away at your enamel and make your teeth softer.  Without the enamel to shield your teeth, the chances of holes or tooth decay increase.

How can I prevent this?

Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth 3 times a day after each meal will decrease the likelihood of enamel wear and holes in your teeth.  Decreasing your intake of sugary foods will also help tremendously.  Opt for fruits instead of candy—they are just as sweet and much healthier for you.

What does this mean?

A hole in your tooth likely means you have a cavity.  This is not something you can treat yourself and you should go see a dentist immediately.  Even if the hole is not painful, you should still visit your dentist.  It is better and cheaper to take care of the hole sooner rather than later when the hole grows or leads to more painful tooth complications.

Treatment options

A dentist will fill the tooth to stop the hole from growing and block it off from any impurities that could cause an infection.  Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.  In the event that the tooth is rotted, the tooth might need to be drilled down and covered with a crown.  In very extreme cases, the tooth might even need to be pulled and replaced with a fake tooth.

If you are looking for temporary relief options, you can try a relieving cream, clove bud oils, dental gels, and other products that can potentially help. You can find some of these dental pain relief products from Amazon and have them shipped overnight starting at $7.99.

If you are currently do not have a dentist, use TalkLocal to find one.  TalkLocal will help match you with the most qualified dentists in your area.  Within minutes, you will be on the phone with multiple dentists willing to help.

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A clicking or “popping” jaw may an incredible annoyance to you whenever you eat or chew food. Since the jaw is located so closely to your ear, you may hear and feel the popping much more distinctly than you do when you crack your joints. You might wonder, why is my jaw popping?

Why does the jaw pop?

The jaw is connected to your skull via a ball and socket join and the clicking noise comes from when the joint pops out of position and then returns, creating an audible “click”.  Your jaw muscles allow you to open and close your mouth, but if any of these muscles are injured, the different sides of the jaw will open and close at different rates, popping the joints out of position.

What caused the jaw popping?

There are a couple of potential causes for jaw clicking.  If you have bruxism or grind your teeth during your sleep, you may have pulled your jaw muscles and caused the clicking sounds.  Likewise, chewing tough foods or prolonged chewing may injure your mandibular muscles.  Trauma to the jaw area, such as a sharp impact to the face, can damage or even rip the jaw muscles, forcing your jaw to create the “popping” sound.

What should I do about it?

If you leave the jaw clicking untreated, you’ll eventually severely damage the joint and even may lead to complications such as facial pain and jaw locking.  You should talk to a dentist as soon as possible so that they can diagnose you.  You may want to use TalkLocal, since it will connect you to a local high quality dentist in just minutes, so you can fix this jaw popping problem as soon as possible.  Once you schedule an exam, the dentist can check your teeth and mouth for signs of bruxism and recommend the necessary lifestyle changes.

Remember that your jaw muscles, just like any other muscles in your body, need rest.  Avoid anything that require excessive chewing such as chewing gum and tough steaks.  Always follow the directions of your dentist and you’ll have the popping gone in no time!

Did your recent trip to the dentist not go as well as expected? We’ve all gotten lectured about flossing since before we can remember, but if you’ve finally decided to listen to your dentist, make sure you’re doing it right. Proper flossing will remove plaque and food particles in areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Learning how to floss will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which is why flossing is so strongly recommended by your dentist

How to floss:

1. Start with a long strand of floss, around 18 in. long.

2. Wind most of the floss around your middle finger, so you’ll have an inch or two to work with.

3. Slide it between each tooth. You’re motion should go up and down, ensuring you cover the entire area.

4. Curve the floss around the base of each tooth.  Go all the way down to your gumline, but don’t force the floss.

5. Every time you move to a different tooth, make sure to use clean sections of floss. Otherwise you’re just spreading plaque and food from tooth to tooth.

If  you’re noticing problems with your teeth that flossing is not helping, you should schedule an appointment with you dentist. If you need a new dentist, try using TalkLocal to find one. Our free online service will provide numerous local options for you within minutes.

A chipped tooth is a nuisance, plain and simple. Although it may seem like a big deal when it happens due to the way it makes your teeth appear, a chipped tooth is usually not a big issue. Chips are the most common dental injury today and can be easily fixed.

More often than not, you will need to go to a dentist to get a chip fixed (for short-term and long-term reasons), but if the chip is small enough to fix yourself, then by all means, it is worth a try. Below are some instructions on how to repair a chipped tooth at home.

1. If the chipped tooth also caused a flesh wound in your mouth, treat the wound first by using ice and ibuprofen to reduce any swelling. If any nerves are exposed, it is imperative that these are covered up. You can use temporary dental cement, which temporarily covers up the exposed nerves so that you can eat normally. However, if a nerve has been exposed, you will have to see a dentist soon.

2. If the chip is small enough and by the corner of your mouth, then the problem is mostly cosmetic. To improve the aesthetics of the tooth as well as your safety, consider using an emery board to file the chip down to your liking. This reduces the jaggedness of the tooth, which helps prevent against further damage and your tooth from scratching parts of your mouth.

3. If the chip is still visible, more filing will need to be done. You can try filing down the whole bottom of the tooth to keep it flat, but be careful not to file too much.

Following these tips allows you to take care of small chips, but going to a dentist is still highly recommended. A dentist is capable of many alternative treatments that you wouldn’t be able to do on your own such as dental filling, bonding, or inserting a dental crown. These are more permanent solutions and well worth the money you spend. If you’re searching for a dentist, consider using TalkLocal, a FREE service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable dentists in your area. All you need to do is enter your specific need, location, and availability, and TalkLocal will contact dentists, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help – all within minutes. Save yourself from the time and stress from trying to find the right dentist on your own, and let TalkLocal do it for you!

Invisalign trays are renewed in intervals of two weeks. Although brushing the aligners generally works, they begins to fuzz up  after some time. So it is recommended to learn how to clean them most efficiently as soon as possible when you start using them. Read this guide to learn how to clean Invisalign braces.

When cleaning them with water isn’t working perfectly, it’s time to try using a special solution. There are several commercial products available, including one distributed by Invisalign itself. Among these you can choose one based on your needs and budget.

1. Invisalign products – Cleaning products distributed by Invisalign are specifically designed for Invisalign braces, and it is likely the most dependable one. However, they come at a steep cost—a set of cleaning materials designed for 50 uses sells for about 75 dollars.

2. Denture cleaner – Many dentists recommend denture cleaners to clean the braces. Most Invisalign brace users report success when using them. Though this is much cheaper than the name brand solution, it will still cost you some money.

3. Baking soda – The cheapest option is to make your own solution using a common household item: baking soda.

Homemade cleaning solution

1. Take a small amount of baking soda and put it on the brush of the toothbrush.

2. Apply some moisture on the braces themselves. Run them through water and shake the excess water off.

3. Begin brushing the inside and outside of the braces. Take care to reach into the concave spots (the sharp insides in which water is trapped in). This is usually where the germs get trapped and begin clouding your braces. Do not apply excess pressure to your toothbrush when cleaning because the abrasiveness of the brush may wear out the braces.

4. You can even try using a toothpick. Dab some water on the toothpick, sprinkle some baking soda on the tip, and reach into the hard spots to clean up the buildup.

Additional Help

If you feel like you need professional consultation on how to clean Invisalign braces, TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local experts in this case, saving you time and energy in what may be a stressful situation.

Tooth decay, simply put, is the process that results in a cavity.  Almost all of us have gone through the process of getting that toothache and then going to the dentists to get the cavity filled.  Many people like to attribute the development of cavities to “too much candy,” but while excessive sugars are definitely a major factor in tooth decay, cavities are a result of much more than just what we eat. Read on to learn more about what causes tooth decay and the preventative measures you can take.

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay can be attributed to a combination of bacteria and food.  The bacteria on your teeth form a sticky and clear substance called plaque around your teeth.  The bacteria in the plaque then take the sugars from the foods you eat and produce acid as a waste product.  The acids eventually burn through your enamel in a process called demineralization, exposing the sensitive pulp of your teeth and creating a cavity.

How can I prevent tooth decay?

Preventing tooth decay is fairly simple and really a matter of eating the right foods and maintaining good dental hygiene. It is essential to brush your teeth twice a day: once when you wake up and once before you sleep.  This removes as much plaque and bacteria from your mouth as possible.  Without plaque and bacteria, your tooth’s enamel cannot be worn down by the acids even if you do eat sugary foods often. Likewise, you should also floss daily because it also removes the bacteria wedged between your teeth that regular brushing cannot reach.

Diet changes can help as well.  Try avoiding sticky foods with high sugar contents such as raisins and caramel, as these not only have the sugars for bacteria but also are extremely sticky and difficult to remove from your teeth.  The longer the sugary food stays in your mouth, the more damage the bacteria can do.

I already have tooth decay. How can I treat it?

It all depends on the severity of the tooth decay.  If you’re only experiencing very slight tooth decay, you may be able to reverse it using fluoride rinses.  In all other cases, you’ll need to see a dentist.  A dentist will be able to recommend the correct course of action to repair your tooth.  In most cases of mild tooth decay, you may need to have the cavity filled, but in more severe cases, you may need a root canal or even tooth removal.

If you’re looking for a dentist to treat your tooth decay, make your search easier by using TalkLocal.  TalkLocal will connect you with the highest quality local dentist in just minutes, so you don’t have to waste time searching for one yourself!