Should I See a Dentist about My Headaches?

If you have a headache, it's likely you're not thinking should I see my dentist? But maybe you should be. If you are suffering from headaches, your dentist may be able to help you get relief. There are many potential causes for your headaches that a dentist can help you with.

If you have chronic headaches, a dentist should probably not be the first place you go (though you might mention headaches at your next regular visit), but if you have already seen your doctor and you are not getting relief, perhaps a dentist should be your next step.

How Dental Problems Cause headaches

There are a number of types of dental problems that could potentially be causing your headaches, including

? Tooth problems such as an impacted or infected tooth
? Jaw problems, such as TMJ
? Sleep apnea

If your headache is due to any of these causes, a dentist may be able to get you relief.

Tooth Problems and Headaches

If you have an infected or impacted tooth, it could lead to chronic headaches. Pain from your tooth could be transferred to elsewhere in your face and head. Also, tooth problems can lead to swelling in the sinuses, which can cause a headache. And tension from tooth pain could contribute to a tension headache.

TMJ

TMJ, sometimes called TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder, is when the muscles, bones, and nerves of your jaw joints are not working together well. When this happens, your jaw muscles have to work extra hard and not very smoothly. An overgrown or out of place muscle can irritate nearby nerves and obstruct nearby blood vessels. Facial nerves run right by your jaw joint, and when they become irritated you may experience pain or numbness in the face and head. When blood flow is restricted it can trigger migraines. TMJ headaches can be cured through neuromuscular dentistry.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is when your breathing is interrupted during sleep. In the most common form, your breathing is interrupted because your tissues are literally choking you. This is often the result of a poorly positioned bite, which can be corrected using an oral splint or appliance that you put in your mouth while you sleep to hold your jaw, tongue, throat and other tissues where they need to be to keep your airway open.

So, in short if you have a headache, your dentist should not be your first stop, but it shouldn't be your last, either. If you are a chronic headache sufferer in or around Ottawa, Ontario, visit the website of Dentistry at Main for more information.

Is Your Cosmetic Dentist Good?

A radient smile is something to which we all aspire. Never before have so many techniques and procedures been available that offer such reliability and effectiveness in smile restoration. Cosmetic dentistry, once only available to movie stars and the wealthy, is now accessible to ordinary Americans.

Today, cosmetic dentists offer many different cosmetic dental procedures that can be tailored to the specific needs of an individual. However, the ultimate success of your cosmetic dental work is largely dependent upon the art and expertise of your cosmetic dentist.

Six Ways to Ensure Your Cosmetic Dentist is Top Notch
Cosmetic dentistry utilizes a number of different techniques for repairing a smile, like porcelain veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, and Invisalign braces. When you are ready to make an investment in your smile, you?ll want to ensure that your cosmetic dentist is one that can produce the results you desire. You?ll want to perform the following steps before choosing your cosmetic dentist:

1. Ask friends and family members for recommendations ? the people closest to you are often a reliable source for first-line recommendations of cosmetic dentists to interview
2. Schedule consultations with several cosmetic dentists ? a consultation will give you more detailed information upon which to make your choice of a cosmetic dentist
3. Ask to see before and after photos of the dentists? work with patients ? looking through a portfolio will give you a good idea if the results for other patients are similar to what you seek
4. Check training, experience and credentials of every prospective cosmetic dentist ? most cosmetic dentists proudly display their diplomas upon office walls, but also request any credentials that you do not see
5. Ask about cosmetic dental techniques and technology used ? you?ll want a cosmetic dentist that is well-versed on all the latest techniques and has the latest technology to give you the best results
6. Ensure that you are comfortable with the office, staff and friendliness of the dentist ? bedside manner is just as important with a dentist as it is with a doctor

Ask the Right Questions
The chair side manner of a cosmetic dentist can easily be evaluated by asking yourself the following questions after observing the cosmetic dentist in his or her surroundings:

? Did the cosmetic dentist take time to listen to you?
? Did he or she make eye contact and have a caring manner?
? How about personality? Did your prospective dentist make you feel at ease?
? Did you feel a connection with this dentist and his or her staff?
Please visit the website of board-certified cosmetic dentist, Dr. Rod Strober at Strober Dental in San Diego, Californa to have your questions answered about the procedures that would benefit your smile.