What is TMD?

The tempromandibilar joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locked’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How Sugar Affects the Teeth

Foods that contain sugars of any kind contribute to tooth decay. Though Dr. Cynthia Wong understands that we can’t eliminate sugar from our diets completely, reducing the amount of sugar we consume can go a long way. The mouth is full of bacteria, many of which are beneficial to your oral health. However, certain harmful bacteria will feed on the sugars we consume and destroy tooth enamel.  

Soda, energy drinks, chocolate milk, and fruit juices are beverages that contain an abundance of sugar. For example, a glass of apple juice can contain as much sugar as a can of soda. Dr. Wong suggests opting for better choices such as water, unsweetened tea, milk, or diluted juice. If your sweet tooth is just too strong, there are other ways to protect your teeth. For starters, brush your teeth after you eat to eliminate the acids that stick to the enamel and floss to remove any excess carbohydrates.

If you have questions or concerns about the status of your oral health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Why Not to do Orthodontics Yourself

It was nearly a year ago that the American Association of Orthodontists released a public service announcement warning people not to attempt to do orthodontic work on themselves. That warning is back in the news following a study by the Association, released in February of this year, finding that thirteen percent of its members have treated a person who tried to straighten their own teeth through unprofessional methods. These practices are much more likely to do severe damage to a person’s teeth than they are to help them.

One of the purported benefits of DIY orthodontics is that it works faster. But the reason professional orthodontics is slow is not because the patient is being milked for money, but because there is a careful balance to maintain in moving teeth through other bones without making them come loose. Teeth that are moved very quickly could easily migrate back or fall out completely. DIY guides also frequently encourage people to use bonds without cemented brackets to keep them from sliding into their gum pockets. The bonds are also frequently of a biodegradable material which will rot in the user’s mouth while strangling their teeth.

Our office offers free initial exams and consultations. Orthodontic treatment is an investment—it prevents a lifetime of dental problems resulting from a bad bite, but only when overseen by an expert.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Nighttime Oral Care

You may brush your teeth in the morning to eliminate rancid morning breath, but what about brushing your teeth before bed? Brushing your teeth before hitting the hay is very important and Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to explain why. When we sleep, our saliva flow slows down and saliva is what’s used to wash away food particles that cause bad breath and tooth decay. If you currently don’t brush before bed, it’s never too late to implement a nighttime oral care routine.

After we eat, plaque sits on our teeth, and if this plaque sits on your teeth all night, it can potentially lead to gingivitis and even more severe forms of periodontal disease. Each time you brush your teeth you should be using fluoride toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval. You should always go to sleep with a clean mouth, because this will reduce morning breath odor when you wake up. Dr. Cynthia Wong understands that sometimes we are too exhausted to brush, floss, rinse, etc. which is why she recommends keeping a toothbrush near your nightstand and give those pearly whites a quick sweep before your head hits the pillow because a dry brush is better than none at all.

If you have questions or concerns about your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.