TMJ Pain and What We Can Do

TMJ pain can affect how you eat, what you eat, and it can affect many of your daily activities. At Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, we have recognized many of our patients’ TMJ issues and work with them to relieve the symptoms and pain.

TMJ pain is often referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). A cause of TMD is not exactly pinpointed; however, there are certain things that can trigger pain. Common symptoms of TMD include a swollen and painful jaw joint, sore jaw and facial muscles, clicking in the jaw, difficulty chewing, ear pain, headaches, and the locking of your jaw. The jaw is responsible for so much including eating, talking, smiling, laughing, and showing emotion. This is part of why TMD is such a frustrating condition to live with.

Fortunately, here in our Easton, PA dental practice we are trained in recognizing TMD and can offer our patients relief. Through guidance, pain relief tips, and possibly a night guard, we can make sure TMD isn’t a daily interrupter.

If you are suffering with jaw pain, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Traditional Braces for a Healthy, Beautiful Smile

A straight smile is not only beautiful, but it’s also healthier! At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we want to be sure we offer several options for straightening teeth so all of our patients can find a solution that works best for them. One of the orthodontic options we offer here in our Easton, PA dental office is traditional braces.

Traditional braces have been around for a long time and it is because of their effectiveness. Today’s braces are strong and sleek, offering faster moving of teeth than before. They also stay durable and effective for years. For those who would like to add a bit of flair to their braces, we are able to use different colored bands!

Straight teeth contribute to a healthier mouth. This is because when teeth are in their proper positions, they can function optimally, they are able to be cleaned easier, and they do not pose as a risk for injury to other teeth.

Traditional braces work by attaching brackets to each tooth with a wire that connects them all together. Through a carefully directed plan, the wires will shift the teeth until they are in their correct positions. The average length of time braces are worn for teens is about two years. For adults, it is about one year. Every patient is different, so each patient will need a different length of time.

Whether you want to straighten your teeth for cosmetic reasons or health reasons, traditional braces are a long-standing option we offer. To schedule your consultation with Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Dental Sealants for Extra Protection

Prevention is the best protection, right? When it comes to oral health, nothing could be truer! That is why here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA we offer dental sealants. Sealants are extra protection for molars meant especially for kids in those cavity-prone years!

During the ages of six and fourteen, kids go through what is called the cavity-prone years. Molars have pits and grooves in them which can trap debris and create bacteria. These pits and grooves can be hard to clean out with a toothbrush, which is why cavities can become common in that location.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that seal out bacteria and debris from the pits in the molars. They are great for children but can also be effective protection for adults who have never had a cavity or filling in their molars. Once applied, a sealant is able to last up to ten years or more!

To apply a sealant, you dentist will first clean the teeth that will be sealed. Then teeth with then be dried and an acid solution is painted onto them to roughen up the surface of the teeth. This creates a strong bond for the sealants. The teeth are rinsed and dried afterwards. The tooth-colored plastic solution is then painted onto the teeth and allowed to dry. The patient can use the teeth normally soon afterward.

If you are looking to take an extra step in protecting your teeth or your children’s teeth, dental sealants are a great choice! To schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.