Oak Ridge Dental Blog

Plenty of dentists offer professional teeth whitening that can help patients brighten their smiles by several shades. However, you may have noticed ads on television or social media for over-the-counter products that claim to be able to whiten teeth at a much lower cost. But are these products really a viable alternative? Here’s a closer look at how over-the-counter whitening compares to professional whitening.

Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic dentistry treatment and can be a great choice if there are any noticeable stains on your teeth. That said, it should be noted that tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening. Before you move forward with brightening your smile, it’s worth taking the time to learn more about how the whitening procedure can lead to sensitivity – as well as what can be done to manage the issue.

If you’re bothered by stains or discolored spots on your teeth, you are likely considering teeth whitening as a solution. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that not all whitening treatments are exactly the same. Some patients may require multiple sessions in order to get the smile that they want. Before you take your first step toward a brighter grin, it’s worth learning about the teeth whitening process and how many sessions you can typically expect.

You’ve been struggling with a painful TMJ disorder that has significantly decreased your quality of life. Naturally, you want to find relief as soon as possible, which is why you’ve been researching your treatment options. Recently, you stumbled across an unexpected potential solution: using essential oils to relieve TMJ pain. Is this an approach worth pursuing in your case? Here’s what your dentist wants you to know.

When you hear the term “TMJ disorder”, what comes to mind? Many people think of the more obvious symptoms, such as chronic jaw pain. However, some consequences of the condition aren’t quite as well known. For example, in particularly serious cases, TMJ disorder can affect the way you talk! Here’s a closer look at how TMJ disorder and speech impairments can potentially be linked.

Gum chewing is a very common habit. In fact, it has been shown that the average American chews around 300 pieces of gum annually. But what if you currently have a TMJ disorder? Could continuing to chew gum end up causing further problems for your jaw? Your dentist is here to give you a closer look at TMJ disorder and explain why chewing gum may end up exacerbating the issue.

You normally shouldn’t have any trouble opening and closing your jaw. But under certain circumstances, your jaw might become very stiff and could even lock in place. Needless to say, this can be a very painful and frightening condition – but what exactly causes it to happen in the first place? Your emergency dentist is here to explain what can lead to jaw locking and give you tips for dealing with this alarming problem.

When you have dental implants placed, you’ll naturally want to do whatever you can to make sure that your mouth heals as quickly as possible without any complications. There are several variables that can impact your chances for a successful dental implant treatment; one particularly vital example is your vitamin D levels. Here’s a quick look at why vitamin D can make all the difference for dental implant treatments – as well as what you can do to obtain more of this important nutrient.

Even though dental implants have enough chewing power to handle virtually any food, that’s only after your mouth has fully healed from the placement surgery. Until then, you will need to be mindful of your diet; there are certain foods that you’ll need to stay away from for a while. To help make sure everything goes smoothly during your recovery process, here’s a brief look at what you shouldn’t eat after receiving dental implants.

Nowadays, when you ask your dentist what the best option for replacing your missing teeth is, they’re likely to say that it’s dental implants. But of course, this treatment didn’t become the gold standard for re-completing smiles overnight. Dental implants had to evolve quite a bit to reach the point they’re at now. Below, you can learn more about the history of dental implants and how they’ve changed over time.