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How to Treat TMJ

Temporomandibular joints, also commonly referred to as TMJ are some of the joint muscles located near the ear, at the point where your jawbone meets your skull. The TMJ is the joint used to open and shut your mouth, heavily used while eating or speaking. So when this joint in particular begins to relentlessly ache and cause massive pain, it becomes a serious issue.

You should seek dental help as soon as you begin experiencing pain in your TMJ, especially if it is reoccurring. The reason for this overwhelming discomfort may be you experiencing a TMJ disorder. This pain can be caused from a number of reasons, most common arthritis, grinding your teeth, or dislocation.

When you go to a doctor, they will perform a series of tests on you to ensure they treat the correct disorder. These are test you can also perform on yourself at home before seeking treatment. This will make sure you are describing the proper symptoms. The tests you as well as your doctor will perform are basic, but they do the trick. When they are making sure it is in fact the TMJ you are suffering from, they will see if your jaw has any swelling or tenderness. Another test you may go through is seeing if the jaw is making a clicking noise when it is moved. After a few rounds of different checks, your doctor may diagnose you with TMJ disorder.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, and have been diagnosed, treatments you may be advised to follow include:

  1. Exercising the jaw muscles
  2. A night guard to stop grinding your teeth
  3. Or even muscle relaxers

If these treatments aren’t the proper solution for you, your dentist then may need to do a jaw adjustment or reshape your teeth for the proper bite. A night guard may also be something in need, so you stop grinding your teeth. See your dental professional if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Schedule a consultation as soon as you can if you are experiencing any discomfort in the jaw.

Dental Implants: A Solution That Pays For Itself

If you ask any dental expert what they recommend as the best tooth replacement option, they will most likely say dental implants. Although Implants are the best choice for a tooth replacement, patients are concerned about the cost. Dental implants are typically more expensive than other restorative options, mostly due to its innovative nature. However, implants are the only lifelong replacement solution when compared to their counterparts. This means once your dental implants are placed you won’t have to continually revisit Dr. Nash, only if there is a complication with the implant. Since dental implants last so long you should think of undergoing the procedure as a self-investment for improving the quality of your overall health and oral well-being.

Factors to determine

There are many factors that you should take into consideration before choosing a dental implant surgery. Your treatment is tailored to your individual needs and that might include added treatments.

Factors to take into consideration:

In-house care

At Nash Family Dentistry we handle all aspects associated with your dental implant placement in our office. This not only reduces the cost of your dental implants; it also allows you to relax knowing that you are in the trusted care of our beautiful facility. Using state of the art dental technology paired with our doctor’s years of experience makes the entire process feel seamless and streamlined allowing you to leave the same day you came in for the initial procedure.

Contact us

All in all, the benefits that dental implants offer typically outweigh the financial negatives. Even though they can be expensive Nash Family Dentistry offers payment plans for the procedure to make sure you receive the smile you’ve always wanted and deserve. If you’re still unsure if dental implants are the right choice for you, contact our offices today. One of our amazing team members will help you set up an appointment for you to speak with Dr. Nash. We are conveniently located in Vicksburg, Mississippi and currently serving Jackson, Mississippi.

ClearCorrect Braces: Everything You Need To Know About This Discreet Orthodontic Option

Improving your smile is always a worthwhile endeavor, no matter what treatment method you choose. However, when it comes to straightening your teeth, some treatments may work better for you than others. While traditional orthodontics have a long history of success, they may not be the ideal solution for you if you would rather straighten your teeth discreetly. Fortunately, there is a treatment option available that can align your teeth in an inconspicuous and reliable manner. Here’s what you should know about ClearCorrect braces.

It’s Possible to Straighten Your Teeth Discreetly

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional braces, we’d love to discuss ClearCorrect orthodontics with you.  Drs. Kenneth and Jonathan Nash offer this low-profile treatment option at our Nash Family Dentistry practice. As the name suggests, ClearCorrect braces are practically invisible, so you won’t need to worry about others noticing your orthodontic appliances. The aligners are made from a durable plastic material and are custom-designed to fit tightly over your teeth. Every two weeks, your aligners will be switched out with a new, tighter set. Over time, the aligners will pull your teeth into place and correct common problems like crooked teeth, tooth gaps and misalignments in your bite.

Additional Benefits of the ClearCorrect System

In addition to their low-profile appearance, ClearCorrect aligners are also removable. While it’s important to wear them for a minimum of 20 hours each day as directed by your dentist, you can take them out to brush, floss and eat. You can even take them out occasionally for special events, but make sure you wear them as frequently as possible for best results.

Contact Our Practice

We’d love to discuss the benefits of ClearCorrect orthodontics with you in detail. To schedule a consultation with Drs. Nash and find out if you’re a good candidate for the discreet treatment option, contact Nash Family Dentistry during regular business hours.

Dental Implants or Dentures?

Should You Choose Dental Implants or Dentures for Your Missing Teeth?

Everyone with missing teeth is faced with a serious question: what type of tooth replacement option will they choose? There is no “correct” answer for everyone, but many people find that dental implants provide improved function and appearance over dentures. Here are a few ways implants outperform dentures.

  1. Longevity

Both implants and dentures can be costly, so it’s natural to expect them to last a long time. Unfortunately, dentures need to be replaced as often as every five years. This is because the shape of the jawbone changes after you lose teeth. As the shape of the jaw and gums change, dentures can become ill-fitting and require replacement.

Dental implants don’t have this problem because they actually prevent the jaw bone loss that occurs after tooth loss. They protect the jaw bone by providing it with the consistent stimulation it needs to remain healthy and dense. Implants don’t last forever, but they are known to function up to 20 years or longer before needing replacement. To experience the maximum longevity your implants can provide, take good care of them and see your dentist regularly.

  1. Appearance

It’s no secret that dentures can draw attention, especially if they slide around in your mouth. Implants, on the other hand, are securely attached to your jaw bone, which means they can’t slide around in the mouth and remain firmly in place. People won’t even be able to tell you have implants, which is an important benefit if you value your smile’s natural appearance.

  1. Comfort

Once implants heal, they generally feel very comfortable and natural. Unlike dentures that have to be literally stuck to the gums with special pastes, implants remain in the mouth and can’t be taken out (with the exception of implant-supported dentures).

Learn More

If you want to learn more about the benefits of dental implants versus dentures, feel free to schedule an appointment with our respected dentist and friendly team at Nash Family Dentistry. To arrange an appointment with Drs. Kenneth or Jonathan Nash, call our practice today.

Get Teeth Whitening Before Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving coming up on November 22nd, it is important to make sure you have a beautiful smile to show off to friends and family. Dr. Kenneth Nash has performed teeth whitening numerous times. It only takes an hour, and you will immediately have a brighter smile. Get it before the holiday season so that you can smile wide for all those pictures.

You Will Have Renewed Confidence

Our dentist offers this as a cosmetic treatment to fix aesthetic issues. Many people do not smile or laugh as often when they are self-conscious about their smiles. They want to make good impressions, even if they are with family members who have seen their smiles many times before. Additionally, photos last forever, and you deserve to smile big when someone in the family wants to commemorate the occasion.

It Can Impact Your Dietary Choices

Thanksgiving can be tough if you are trying to avoid certain substances, such as wine. Wine contains tannins which darken teeth and degrade a smile. After you have just whitened your teeth, you are more likely to want to retain the aesthetic longer. Many people find it easier to avoid common foods, such as cranberries and tomato sauce, which stain teeth.

It Will Not Damage Your Teeth

The last thing you want to deal with during Thanksgiving is sensitive teeth. Some over-the-counter brightening products will make your teeth sensitive to hot and cold substances, limiting what you can comfortably eat during dinner. With a professional treatment from our dentist, you know the treatment is being done perfectly, so you can bite into warm turkey without any problems.

Teeth Whitening Is Available Now

Before Thanksgiving comes, you should contact Nash Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation to see if teeth whitening is right for you. It can get you ready for the holiday, and everyone will be amazed at your stellar, new smile.

5 Risk Factors People Face With Missing Teeth

Losing even a single tooth can greatly increase your risk of developing other oral health issues. Our dentist will suggest getting dental implants immediately or else you will face the following problems.

1. Jawbone Loss

Teeth stimulate the jawbone in the same way exercising stimulates your muscles. Without a tooth, the jawbone goes unused and experiences atrophy. The bone tissue deteriorates, and this can impact the look of a person’s face. Dental implants provide that necessary stimulation, so the jawbone can retain its strength.

2. Bite Irregularities

After a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth shift out of position to compensate for the extra space. This results in a bite irregularity that can make it far more difficult to chew. Additional problems can result, including increased tooth sensitivity, jaw muscle pain and temporomandibular joint disorders.

3. Speech Problems

Every part of your mouth, from your tongue to your teeth, impacts how you talk. Losing certain teeth can significantly affect the way you pronounce certain words. Many people find when they lose even one tooth that they spit, whistle or slur certain words.

4. Gum Disease

It is far more difficult to brush and floss your teeth when there is a substantial gap in your smile. As a result, bacteria can easily make its way into the gap. This accumulation of bacteria increases a person’s odds of developing gum disease.

5. Insufficient Nutrition

Without certain teeth, you will have a harder time chewing certain foods. For instance, if you lose one of your molars, then it will be harder to chew fibrous vegetables, which you need for essential nutrients.

Contact Us Before Any of This Occurs

If you are in need of dental implants in Vicksburg, MS then contact the office of Dr. Kenneth Nash to schedule an appointment. Our dentist will develop a treatment plan to address all of your oral health issues. Once the dental implant is in, you will enjoy better oral health, improved self-esteem, an easier time eating and an enhanced appearance.