About Articular Eminence

If you’ve ever dealt with jaw pain or a jaw injury, you’ve probably wondered what happened structurally, and whether or not there are aspects that are vital to the functions of this.  Most of us never considered though what stops out jaw from opening super wide. 

That is the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which is vital for the function of the jaws. The most particular part of this is what’s called the articular eminence. Here, we’ll discuss the role of this, how this will fit into your TMJ anatomy, and also potential issues too. 

This may seem strange initially, but once you learn a bit more about this, you’ll understand why this is important. 

The articular point of this is pretty much a movable joint.  The eminence is pretty much a projection or raised area of the temporal portion of your skull. 

This is part of the temporal bone, which is a fused part of where the skull is by the ears. The AE is a part of the lower half of the ear area, near the font. It is positioned in front of the hinge on your lower jaw portion, moving downward to get into a semicircular shape. 

The role 

The role of this is pretty much part of the three motion planes, which include going upwards and downwards, each side, and of course the back and forth motion. The AE is a unique structure that guides the pathway near the top part of your jawbone, which is known as the condyle, and the rotation that’s there too. 

The articular tubercle is where the ligaments attach to the TMJ in a lateral sense, with the condule moving it to open up the jaw. 

This portion does actually control how far the jaw is able to open.  When the mandible is lowered, the AE does restrict it by controlling the ability to rotate, and this works with the articular disk toto cushion your movements too. 

Disorders and Treatment 

This can potentially get hurt and affected in some cases, and this is what leads to disorders of TMJ, and that includes clenching and grinding. 

If you notice that there are jaw problems, you should talk to your doctor sooner rather than down the road, and you may need some care for this. 

This is very common, and there are different causes to this, and it can manifest into different symptoms. 

Grinding, clicking, or even popping and tightness or limited mobility of the jaw is very common. T his can actually cause problems based on the angle of this too, and it can intensify with different issues. 

This can sometimes go away over time on its own, but for those more permanent instances, you do need to treat it. The treatments can include pain relievers, medications to treat inflammation, or even relaxers for the muscle. 

Ice along with heat may be used to help relieve this, along with a mouth guard so you’re not grinding. In the worst-case scenario and it’s not getting better, you will need to get surgery for this. But for the most part, that’s considered a last resort, and that also is dependent on the pain that you’re going through too. 

Regardless though, you should most definitely make sure that you get the most that you can out of this, and make sure that you do get the help that you need to take care of the jaw pain, and if it’s affecting that area, you should definitely look into treatment options for this problem so you’re not in pain, and your jaw stops clicking.

How to Properly Floss the Teeth

If you’re someone who wants to floss their chompers correctly, you’re not alone.  There are certain steps that you need to take in order to floss this correctly. In this, we’ll go over the exact steps necessary for you to floss your teeth well, and different ways for you to properly floss them to benefit your oral health.

Why floss 

Flossing is part of your oral care routine for the sole reason that it gets in between the teeth.

It was found in a study that if you floss your teeth and only do that, you’re less likely to get tooth decay than if you choose to only brush your teeth.

Simply put, flossing is great for your oral health needs, and it’s vital for ensuring that there isn’t any tooth decay or other problems.

Learning how to do it right is important, since it prevents further decay from occurring whenever it happens to you.

So, with that in mind, let’s go over the exact steps necessary to properly floss your teeth without issues.

How to Floss 

The first thing that you need is floss that works for you.  You can get any old floss, or flavored floss if that’s something that you like.

After that, take a strip that’s long enough to wrap along the middle finger a couple of times, and then, hold across with your other hand.  Cut that using the box for ease of access. 

Now that you have that, take a small section about an inch, and hold it between your pointer and thumb on each hand. Have the excess on each side wrapped around your pointer finger on the left, and the index finger on the right, or vice versa if you’re left handed.

After that, you want to move to the very back of your mouth. Take a strip of this, and from there, you want to gently push it down so that it's between the teeth, right at the gumline. From here, you want to clean it with the floss, like how you might with a toothpick.  After that, pull it up, or if the gap is too tight, just pull it through, letting go with the right hand.

After that, you take the area that you used to clean between those teeth and hold it on the right. Thread out more with your left hand, and from there, you want to repeat this process.

Continue with this until you have it done on all of the teeth. You may need more floss if you find that the piece is too small the first time. It takes a little bit to get this perfected, but once you do, you’ll be glad that you did.

After that, you take the floss and toss it in the nearest wastebasket, and then, when it’s time for a new flossing session, you just get some new floss, and then continue.

Some people do better with those plackers types of flossers, or with a water flosser. But good old-fashioned floss is the way for you to go, as it allows you a chance to properly get the oral care that you need, and fight off tooth decay immediately! Now that you know this, try flossing today, and see for yourself the difference that it makes, now that you know how to floss correctly, and are able to take care of your teeth. You’ll find that your dentist is happy, and you’re happy too with the difference that this makes for your teeth, and your oral health right now for you.

Vitamins That Improve Teeth and Gum Health

For better health of your body, you need proper nutrition. Good nutrition also helps in improving health of your teeth and gums. Among other nutrients, vitamins are the ones which can specifically be used for improving the health of oral cavity. Having that said, below mentioned are some vitamins which you can use to improve the health of your teeth and gums.

Calcium

We all know how important calcium is for bone health. Teeth are also the bones. The matter of fact is that direct exposure of teeth to supply of calcium can help in strengthening of dental structure in pretty nicer way. In order to get adequate supply of calcium, you need to consume foods which would absorb well in the body. Milk and yogurt are those foods which are not only rich in calcium but they also absorb well in the body. Canned salmon and sardines also contain calcium in good amount. Vegan foods, which are high in calcium, include green leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses and fortified cereals.

Phosphorus

After calcium, the nutrient which is present in our body in abundance is phosphorus. This nutrient is very helpful for teeth. For good overall health, phosphorus mainly helps in the repair of body tissues. For teeth, phosphorus works with calcium to improve strength.

Phosphorus is mainly contained by protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, legumes, lentils and dairy products. Whole grains and dry fruits also contain fair amount of phosphorus.

Vitamin D

When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy, vitamin D is the micronutrient which you cannot ignore. The main job of this vitamin is to instruct intestines to absorb calcium you have eaten. After that, the calcium gets added into the bloodstream. Milk and breakfast cereals usually have high content of vitamin D.

Vitamin C

While a lot of vitamins are good for teeth, vitamin C is particularly helpful in maintaining and improving health of gums. Study suggests that vitamin C can be helpful in formation of blood vessels and other tissues in your gums in order to support your teeth well. Furthermore, this nutrient also helps in the healing process. Without adequate amount of vitamin C, your gums may be more susceptible to bleed. The major source of vitamin C usually lies in vegetables.

Vitamin A

While you may have heard about importance of vitamin A for eyes, it is also good for the health of your oral cavity. Tissues of teeth and mucus membranes are supported well by vitamin A.

How to take these vitamins?

For optimal health, you need to make sure that you get all your vitamins from natural food resources. Supplements should be avoided as much as possible. if you thing that you require vitamins from supplements, you can ask your dentist.

What to Do if you Forget the Toothpaste

 The worst has happened. You want to brush your teeth, but you don’t have any toothpaste. You may wonder if there is something you can do. This can happen a lot when you’re traveling. Maybe you threw it inside your checked bag, and they lost it. or maybe you just have rancid breath. Here are some of the best hacks to clean up the teeth in order to freshen all of this, without the aid of toothpaste. 

Ask for others. 

This is something that is good to try, and it doesn’t hurt you.

A lot of hotels do offer toothpaste complimentary. You can go down there and ask for this. Sometimes, you may have coworkers that come more prepared than you ever will, and they can give you some great toothpaste. You can also ask your best friend who seems to have everything inside their bag, especially if you’re in a pinch. 

Brush with some Mouthwash 

This is actually a totally valid way of cleaning your teeth. While it doesn’t get rid of the plaque, if you do use toothpaste with mouthwash, it actually will get that plaque that’s lingering there. Plus, you’ve got super fresh breath out of this, making it even easier! 

Water to Brush 

Brushing with just water is actually a valid way to clean up the teeth. This removes the food that’s stuck on and between the teeth. It also gets rid of the plaque too. The only thing that this doesn’t do, is freshen the breath, so you probably are going to want to pop a breath mint if your breath smells bad. 

Brushing with Sea Salt 

Sea slat is great.  It’s actually a natural antibacterial, and it neutralizes the acids within the mouth. It’s also great for gums that are swollen too.

It also will boost your saliva production, which actually washes the bacteria out naturally. Mixing about half a teaspoon of the sea salt back into some water that’s warm in order to combine all of this, and then dipping the toothbrush into this solution is a good way for you to take care of the teeth. 

Salt also is great for getting rid of stains on the surface, and it’s one that does work.

The one downside to this means, is that it can actually tear apart your enamel if you brush a little bit too hard, so keep that in mind.

Keep Extra toothbrushes around. 

Final; y, if you’re someone who cleans up their mouth at the first chance that they get, keep around those tiny toothbrushes that are so small they fit in the pocket. 

The cool thing about this, is that you don’t necessarily need toothpaste or water, but it does come with a handy gel that’s in the center. You’ll be able to toss this once you’ve used this.

They come in big packages too, so if you’re someone who wants to always keep a toothbrush on hand whenever they need a freshening, this is the best way to do it, for it offers a lot of great means to help you clean up your mouth, and make you feel good.

When you’re trying to keep your breath and mouth clean, it can be a challenge. This is especially true, given the way that there are so many different means to do so. If you’re someone who struggles with taking care of their teeth, or forget a toothbrush, try these different hacks. You’ll be able to keep your breath minty fresh and clean for the long term as well too.

All About radiation Caries

If you’re dealing with radiation therapy, oral health is probably not the focus. But radiation does cause caries, which is basically tooth decay after treatment. Caries or tooth decay do end up becoming cavities, and it has serious repercussions on the oral health that you have. Here are different questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering whether or not you’re going to have radiation caries. 

What are the Signs 

They usually are similar to normal tooth decay in that the symptoms don’t get noticeable until they become much more serious over time. usually, your teeth get sensitive, and you feel pain or sensitivity along the teeth affected due to the decay. This does get more rampant with time, which is why you notice symptoms with more than just one tooth. 

The causes 

This is possible because of the plaque which accumulates within the teeth, producing acids that eat away at the surface of the teeth. The process plays a major role in radiation caries, and according to the national cancer institute, when you do subject your dental area to radiation, these changes do make you more susceptible to the decay of your teeth. 

Because radiation dries out the mouth, you may have your mouth become very dry. Not only that, but the lack of saliva does also cause this to be a problem for the bacteria you want to control, and you won’t be able to mineralize the teeth. 

How it’s prevented 

If you get high dosages of radiation, you’re at risk of this. The best way to prevent this is for twice a day, brush your teeth, clean between the teeth once a day with a flossing device. If the gums are due because of radiation therapy, you might need to get a soft-bristled type of toothbrush so they’re not further irritated. 

You should also control the dry mouth that’s going on, and this can be done through the following: 

• Sipping water during the day 

• Chewing gum which is sugar free 

• Utilizing commercial products including fake saliva as a supplement for this 

The dentist may also ask for you to get treatments in office as well for this. 

Dental Treatment of This 

If you do have dental caries out there, you can treat it with fillings, crowns, another restorations if they’re too decayed. You may need filings if the day is small, but crowns are for areas which are definitely much larger and they have more compromised tooth structure. 

In some cases, if you don’t treat this, it does lead to infections of abscesses, so you need to get that out immediately. 

In general, you should not miss your office appointments that you have with the dentist. It’s something that a lot of people are definitely happy about and are able to really build and enjoy. There was a lot of great benefits to this, and a lot that you’ll definitely want to benefit from as well. 

For a lot of people, this can be something good for them, and it can help with the care that they need during all of this. If you ever do of course, notice that your teeth are more sensitive and that they hurt to touch, don’t hesitate. Talk to your doctor right away to see what you can do to get the help that you need and deserve from this, and also what you’re able to do as well to help with the stressors that may be causing this. 

Radiation caries aren’t rare, but they can be prevented with the proper treatments rendered to the patient there.

Removable Vs. Fixed Bridges and Crowns

 

If you have teeth that are missing, you may want to get a tooth bridge that’s removable or fixed. Both these types have two different crowns, and basically, this fully supports your teeth that are replaced, also known as pontics.  And usually, this is in the area where the teeth and gums are lost as well. This is pretty straightforward, but we’ll go over both kinds here. 

Removable Vs. Fixed 

The difference in this is that there are different ways to place the crowns, and also the ability for you to remove this. They have various crowns that are on each side, clipping to the teeth that are existing, and filed by your dentist so that they fit well. If you get impermanent teeth, you’ll have to take these out so that they get cleaned each day. Removable ones tend to be cheaper, and you don’t need to get surgery. 

The thing about fixed bridges is they function, look and feel just like your actual teeth. They’re attached directly to an implant, which is a fixture made of metal that’s fastened directly to the gums, below this. This is something that’s becoming much more common, since implants basically give you a new smile. Implants are naturally anchored to the bone area through the process of osseointegration, which is a name for the bone fusing to the metal area, offering support that’s stable when speaking, eating, or doing whatever. Implants do take a bit longer, since it does require to be fused to the bone, but once they’ve fused, there’s an abutment, and a crown on top of this. 

Whatever option you choose is fine but remember that you can keep your oral health with both of these. The gaps are important to remove, as it can cause the teeth to shift or rotate into spaces that are empty, which impacts bite, can cause gum disease, and also TMJ issues. 

What it feels like 

If you’re going to get a removable bridge, the dentist will discuss how to wear it, how to remove it, and also if there are discomforts, what can be done to adjust this. The bridge does feel a little bit uncomfor5able, but once you get used to it, the eating and speaking can improve drastically. 

What about After? 

After this, you’ll notice that the bridge does fit directly into your mouth area. It’s going to feel awkward, but you basically take the bridge out to clean it, and also take it out when you sleep. You may struggle a little bit with this process, but your dentist can help you with this. Remember when you do place it in your mouth, you should not force it down by biting, as this can impact the bridge period. 

You may wonder what types of foods you should have with this. First, you’ll want to stick with foods that are softer, or cut into tiny little pieces. You should chew on each side in an even manner. 

Avoid foods that are chewy, hard, and sticky, especially those such as: 

• Steak. 

• Caramel, nuts 

• Gum 

These can all damage a new bridge, so try to avoid them, and talk to your dentist if you do have questions to fix this. 

To clean it, you basically remove it, put it on a towel, and then, clean it with a denture brush. You can try denture cleaner with this and try to avoid anything abrasive. You should then rinse it down with some cool water, and then, leave it in denture solution to clean it thoroughly.

Herpangina in Children

Children get scratches and bumps like anyone else due to their curiosity and interest in the world around them. But what if the bumps happen in their mouth, and not as a result of them falling? It could be herpangina.  Here, we’ll go over what herpangina is, and how to relieve the discomfort associated with this condition. 

What it is

It’s something that does come with mouth sores, but you also may get a headache, loss of appetite, fever, and even a sore throat, all of which can make swallowing hurt in a lot of cases. 

The sores in the mouth are like tiny fluid bumps or even blisters that are white or even whitish gray, with a border that’s red. 

Visible on the mouth roof, the back of one’s throat, and sometimes in specific areas in the mouth. Sometimes, a fever accompanies it, which can be quick, ranging from 101 to even as high as 106 in a lot of cases. The biggest thing to worry about is avoiding dehydration, as it happens a lot in this condition. 

Relieving Discomfort 

Because herpangina is a viral condition, the symptoms can be discomforting.  Many times, healthcare professionals diagnose this, but it’s mild, with no specifics in terms of treatment. 

There are different ways to relieve symptoms, which include: 

• Reducing fever and pain with acetaminophen and ibuprofen 

• Increasing foods or fluids that will help with lowering temperatures 

• Eating a diet that’s bland and not irritating 

• Gargling with peroxyl and cold water 

Try to also make sure that the oral health environment is maintained too. Have them brush their teeth and take care of it as best as they can. 

A mouthwash may be used too in this case, in order to heal the irritation a little bit faster. However, you should always check with the dentist, in order to ensure that rinses are appropriate for them before they get thrown into the oral care routines. 

Herpangina is a contagious disease, and it can be something that does spread to siblings and classmates. That means, practicing good oral hygiene and also practicing good overall hygiene is imperative. 

Disinfect the surfaces that a child has touched in a lot of cases. 

You may even need to isolate the child, keeping them at home, and away from other people, so that they don’t spread the infection. 

If they’re in daycare, you may need to keep them at home, until the symptoms resolve. 

Now, you don’t send them back until they’ve fully made a recovery. This can be a bit of a challenge for some parents, as they may believe that once the fever breaks, it’s okay. However, due to the contagious nature of this disease, it’s better to keep them at home until they’ve managed a swift, speedy recovery. 

Herpangina is a condition that has a lot of lingering effects if one isn't careful, and it can affect the mouth, along with the rest of the body. Like other colds and ways of getting sick, it can take some time for you to properly get used to this. With that said, if you notice that you have some issues, the best thing for you to do is to make sure that you get the treatment that you do. 

Herpangina is treatable, and it can be a bit scary for children. But with the proper treatment and wellness, you’ll be able to improve the aspects of this, and in turn, you’ll be able to, over time, create and craft the best experience that you can, and enjoy the results too.