Enjoy Your Candy Without the Cavities

It’s a common misconception that sugar causes cavities, but that’s only partially true. Cavities are actually caused by plaque, a sticky substance on the teeth that is created by a form of bacteria in the mouth. When you eat sugary foods, plaque turns the sugar into acids that erode the teeth’s enamel. This attack on the teeth can last for up to twenty minutes! If your children aren’t taught the proper ways to prevent these attacks, they can lead to cavities over time.

After enjoying all of the Halloween festivities this October your kids are bound to have loads of sugary, plaque-feeding treats on their hands. Don’t be tricked into thinking that limiting their candy intake is enough – the best way to fight cavities is to be mindful of when your kids are eating their treats and making sure that they are engaging in preventive measures that will decrease the risk of tooth decay.

Practice these simple habits to help your children enjoy their Halloween candy while still preventing cavities:

×          Limit chewy and sticky treats: Separate your child’s candy and pull out those that are sticky or gooey. These treats should be eaten less often, as candies that require a lot of chewing or that will get stuck between your child’s teeth extend the amount of time that the teeth are exposed to sugar. Solid chocolates are a better alternative, as these can be eaten quickly and will not leave as much sugar behind in the mouth.  

×          Only allow your kids to pick out a treat after mealtime: After eating a meal, there is a lot of saliva left in the mouth. This saliva can help to wash away some of the sugar that is sitting on the teeth. You can also serve your child a glass of water with their candy to wash away even more sugar.

×          Give your child a fun new toothbrush in their Halloween goodie bag: Getting your children to brush their teeth every time they eat candy can be a challenge. Consider purchasing the kids a new colorfully designed toothbrush for Halloween to help make brushing fun. Some toothbrushes are musical.

Halloween is a great time to encourage good oral hygiene behavior, but don’t let it end there! Adopting these dental care practices will benefit your children all year long. It’s important to remember that cavity prevention is more about reducing the time that teeth are exposed to sugar than it is about reducing the amount of sugar consumed. With these easy tricks your children can enjoy their treats without suffering the negative consequences of tooth decay.

What is TMJ?

TMJ is the Temporomandibular joint which connects your jaw bone to your skull. There are two identical joints on each side of your head, located in front of the ears. TMJ refers to the actual name of the joint but it is also used to denote any disorders linked with this region of the face.

TMJ disorders are a result of issues with the joint itself, and the surrounding facial muscles. Pinpointing the exact cause of an individual’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. In a lot of cases people with jaw pain tend to grind or clench their teeth but many people that develop that habit never develop TMJ disorders. TMJ mainly happens due to stress on structures around the joint. The structures include cartilage disk at the joint, muscles of the jaw, face and neck, ligaments and blood vessels that are nearby the teeth. TMJ can also be associated with problems such as arthritis.

The age old idiom prevention is better than cure is true in most instances. When it comes to TMJ problems there are some at-home remedies and steps that you can use and practice to help prevent the condition from manifesting:

•    Avoid eating hard-to-chew foods
•    Avoid chewing gum
•    Learn relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension and stress
•    Watch your posture, especially if you have a desk job. Make sure you change position often to relieve stressed muscles 
•    Use safety measures to lessen the risk of dislocations and fractures

In a lot of cases the pain of TMJ can be relieved with nonsurgical treatments and self-managed care. Although, severe TMJ disorders often require surgery.

The signs and symptoms of TMJ include:

•    Tenderness or pain in the jaw
•    Aches and pains in and around your ear
•    Discomfort or difficulty when chewing
•    Facial pain
•    Locking of temporomandibular joint, making it challenging to open and close the mouth
•    Clicking or grating of the jaw

If you are experiencing symptoms of jaw locking and have persistent pain you should seek medical attention and schedule a consult with your dentist.
*Sources: Mayo Clinic and Pub Med Health