Author: Jennifer Wells

Visiting the dentist is usually not on the top of the list of fun things to do.  In our office we want children to be comfortable and excited to be here.   Here are four steps to insure a happy child with a great first dental visit!

1. Start Early
   Begin getting your child used to oral hygiene by starting to clean their gums when they are infants.   This allows the child to become comfortable with someone in their mouth long before their first dental visit.

2. Prevent Dental Phobia
   Often times when a child appears afraid of the dentist, it is because the parents have accidentally passed their own fear onto their child.  Children do not automatically associate something with fear until it is demonstrated to them.  It is very important to make their first dental visit as routine for your child as going to the grocery store.   By not instilling in your child that the dentist office is a scary place, they will be much more at ease for their first visit.

3. Develop a Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
   Children do not have the motor skills to properly clean their teeth.  It is important to establish a daily brushing routine.   Often times it is best to allow the child to brush in the morning, and the parent to brush in the evening.   Placing the child in a reclined position while you brush their teeth can simulate a dental visit.  We recommend that the parent should continue to brush at night until their child can write their name legibly which demonstrates improved motor skills.

4. Keep it Simple
   There is no need to teach your child large dental words.   We try to use terms that children can relate to such as “sugar bugs” instead of “bacteria.”  When brushing at home you can tell your child you are removing the sugar bugs so they don’t attack their teeth!

5. Be Flexible
   Often times, the first dental visit for a child can be nerve wrecking for the parent.  Relax!! We may not be able to accomplish what we planned, but that is okay.   A positive experience is the MOST important part of your child’s first dental visit.

We want to promote a lifetime of good oral health.   It is essential to start this journey early in life.  At First Impressions Family Dentistry we go above and beyond to adapt to the child’s needs to give them a positive experience to build on. 

Often times people who suffer from pain in the jaw joints refer to their condition as TMJ.  You will often hear someone say ‘I have TMJ.”  Today we hope to educate you on the TMJ and the proper term for jaw joint pain and discomfort!

The TMJ is the Temporomandibular Joint.  You have two, located on each side of your head, that work together to allow you to move your mandible (lower jaw) in order to chew, speak, and swallow.  The TMJ is a complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones that work together to form the complex joint.  The disc is very important because it cushions the movement when the ball joint rotates or glides in its’ socket.  The muscles and ligaments help guide the bones in the correct direction.

TMJD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, describes a problem in the complex system of the TMJ that results in pain.  This is the correct terminology for a patient suffering from pain in their jaw joints.   TMJD is a complex disorder with many causes.  It can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

Possible causes of TMJD include:

1. Arthritis
2. Dislocation of the joint
3. Trauma or injury
4. Tooth and jaw mal-alignment
5. Stress
6. Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Part of our dental exam includes checking the TMJs for tenderness, clicking, popping, or difficulty/decreased opening.  Depending on the diagnosis for your TMJD, a specialist may need to be involved with your treatment.

Some recommended treatments often include:

1. Eating softer foods
2. Using heat or ice to modify the pain
3. Practicing relaxation or muscle relaxants
4. Avoiding chewing gum
5. Wearing a night guard to decrease clenching or grinding
6. Pain management with anti-inflammatory medications
7. Exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles
8. Orthodontic treatment to fix uneven bite
9. Surgery, although usually the last resort

So, next time you hear a friend say they have TMJ be sure to tell them that you have TWO!

We hope that you have learned something today, and will share the education with your family and friends.  And remember if you suffer from joint discomfort, be sure to have your dentist evaluate your joint at your next appointment!

Have you ever looked at your dentist funny when they remind you that you need to replace your toothbrush at minimum every 3 months?? What a waste of money right? WRONG!

Dentists have regularly encouraged our patients to replace their toothbrushes every three months.  We also encourage you to replace your toothbrush after being sick.  We understand that a lot of patients don’t follow these instructions and continue to let their toothbrushes get frayed and splayed before replacing after their 6 month cleanings (Free toothbrush!!).

Here at First Impressions we want you to understand the reasons behind the need to replace your toothbrush.  I promise it is not just to feed those Colgate and Crest bank accounts.

Check out this video our friends over at IFLScience posted detailing why it is so important to keep a fresh toothbrush. The older the brush gets, the more bacteria it holds and the less effective it becomes!