Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Most cases of facial pain result in patients using oral appliances such as splints and bite guards as a means of controlling pain. For a long time, oral appliances have been seen as the most effective method to treat facial pain. However, new research suggests that actually, self-care techniques are most effective at treating facial pain.

Facial pain, whether it be dental-related, jaw-related or trauma-related, is a difficult thing to live with. Anyone who has gone through a period of facial pain will know that recovery can be slow.

Facial pain, especially for dental and jaw pain, is usually caused by a Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which are a group of related conditions that cause discomfort.

Over the years, various treatments have been put forward as being effective for facial pain, though there has never been a clear consensus on how facial pain is best treated.

A study however has found that self-care exercises have the potential to be much more effective than more conventional interventions, such as splints and bite guards.

What is a TMJ?

As mentioned above, a TMJ disorder is a group of conditions that are related to the temporomandibular joint – which is the joint of the jaw – and the surrounding muscles.

To be precise, the TMJ’s are the joints that are located in front of each ear, which connects the lower jaw bone to the skill.

When thinking about joints, most people think of the knees, fingers, elbows and wrists. But arguably one of the most important joints – the jaw – is often forgotten, despite its importance, given that it helps us to eat, talk and breathe [1].

It is very difficult to say how many people have a TMJ disorder, but research suggests that approximately 12% of people in USA experience a TMJ disorder at any one time [2].

A TMJ disorder is more common in women than men, and unlike most chronic pain conditions, TMJ disorders often affect younger people as much as the elderly [2].

The typical symptoms of a TMJ disorder include jaw clicks, pain, limited mobility, difficulty in opening the mouth, poor sleep, headaches and earache [3].

TMJ disorders have also been associated with increased depression, anxiety and stress [4], and are therefore conditions which have a marked effect on quality of life.

In terms of treatment, long-held views suggest that splints and bite guards should be the first line of treatment. Other common treatments include painkiller medications, ranging from mild analgesics to powerful opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs and self-care methods such as jaw exercises and warm compresses.

The Research

The study took place in 2019, and was organised and carried out by researchers at the NYU College of Dentistry, before being spublished in the Journal of Clinical Oral Investigations [5].

The study involved researchers looking at how women with a TMJ disorder treated their pain, and how effective each treatment was [5].

The study involved 125 women. Most participants used more than one treatment, with an average of 2.4 treatments per participant. The researchers found that the most common treatments were [5]:

• Oral appliances e.g., splints, bite guards etc (used by 59% of participants)

• Physical therapy (54%)

• Home-based jaw exercises (34%)

• Acupuncture (20%)

• Visiting a chiropractor (18%)

• Injection at site of trigger point (14%)

• Exercise (7%)

• Meditation and deep breathing (6%)

The researchers then asked each participant how well each treatment had worked for them, in terms of easing their pain and overall wellbeing.

In a surprise result, self-care activities like jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses were found to provide the biggest improvement in symptoms of pain, with 84% of participants stating that these activities helped ease their pain [5].

On the other hand, 64% of those who had used the oral appliances – the most common treatment – said they had been helpful, amounting to a significantly less amount than the self-care activities [5].

11% of those who used oral appliances suggested that they actually made their pain worse. Other treatment methods like acupuncture, chiropractor and injections did not score highly in easing pain.

The results of the study suggest that instead of using oral appliances, or reaching straight for the medicine cupboard, those who are suffering from facial pain should engage in self-care techniques and exercises.

The study’s implication for dentistry

Facial and jaw pain is common in dentistry. Gum disease can cause inflammation, while infections or general toothache can cause pain in the jaw muscles, and face in general.

Therefore, these results suggest that we shouldn’t automatically use oral appliances to treat such problems. Instead, self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be used, as they appear to be much more effective, and less risky.

TMJ disorders are usually diagnosed and treated by a dentist. Most dentists will recommend oral appliances for treating TMJ disorders, but these results suggest this is not the right approach.

Of course, the best way to avoid needing to treat facial pain is to practice excellent oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. By getting checked regularly, any oral problems can be addressed quickly. This helps to prevent more intense pain later on, if any dental problems are left untreated.

Excellent oral hygiene involves brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and as above, getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink, and not smoking also helps.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we offer our patients many services, allowing us to treat a range of dental conditions. We ensure our patients receive a comfortable and caring experience when visiting us.

Our dental clinic is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer services like regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and some cosmetic services such as tooth whitening.

If further treatment is required after a routine dental check-up, our patients are provided with a clear treatment plan.

Our Calgary based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

If you need dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be able to help. This can include advice on treating bad breath, gum disease, the effect our diet has on our oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

Summary

With facial pain being very common, the findings of this study are very important. We now know the value of self-care exercises. It seems that using self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be highly effective in treating pain.

We would love you to visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can also read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca and see more about what we offer our patients. We hope to see you soon!

• [1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25652.
• [2] The TMJ Association. (2021). TMJ Basics. Available: https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/basics/. Last accessed 6th August 2021.
• [3] Llodra-Calvom, J. C., Carlos, J., Bravo-Perez, M., & Cortés-Martinicorena, F. J. (2002). Encuesta de Salud Oral En Espana. RCOE. 7(1), p19-63.
• [4] Kmeid, E., Nacouzi, M., Hallit, S., & Rohayem, Z. (2020). Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorder in the Lebanese population, and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress. Head & Face Medicine, 16(1), p19-37.
• [5] Santiago, V., Raphael, K. G. (2019). Perceived helpfulness of treatments for myofascial TMD as a function of comorbid widespread pain. Clinical Oral Investigations. 23(1), p2929-2939.

Scientists from the University of Washington have developed a lozenge that supposedly has the potential to repair our tooth enamel and even whiten teeth over time. Clinical trials are due to be launched soon, in a development that could improve oral health enormously.

The majority of us will admit to having a sweet tooth. Chocolate, candy, fizzy drinks – they taste good; but their high sugar content comes at a cost – with significant harm being done to our teeth whenever they are consumed.

But in an exciting development, scientists from the University of Washington have potentially found that a specially-designed lozenge – similar to a mint – could actually regrow our enamel.

In the past, the focus has always been on preserving enamel, rather than restoring it. Scientists and researchers have spent decades trying to find a way of restoring enamel [1], which would have a huge benefit on the world’s oral health.

Enamel is the hard surface of a tooth that gradually wears down over time when exposed to sugary foods and drinks and harmful bacteria. When it wears down, it exposes dentine – which is yellow in colour.

The University of Washington’s Research

Scientists from the University of Washington recently provided a press release which provided key information on their plans and their discovery [2]. This work has been going on for several months.

The scientists have said that they have developed an experimental lozenge that has the potential to regrow teeth enamel, strengthen our teeth and even whiten them at the same time!

So how does it work? The lozenges are coated with a genetically-engineered peptide. In easier to understand language, this is essentially a mint coated with a specially-designed protein building block.

The idea is that these building blocks will bind to the user’s teeth, which will involve a tiny layer of fresh enamel being added to the teeth. Over time, this will allow tooth enamel to regrow.

The peptide used comes from something called amelogenin, which is an important protein in teeth enamel. Phosphorus and calcium ions are also ingredients within the lozenge.

Researchers have suggested that two lozenges a day can rebuild enamel, while one per day can enable a healthy layer of enamel to be maintained. The researchers have suggested the lozenge will be suitable for both adults and adolescents.

Tooth whitening benefits

One of the most exciting parts of this news is that these lozenges would help to whiten our teeth. We all aspire to have pearly white teeth, though this is something that in the modern age is hard to maintain naturally.

Many people resort to purchasing teeth whitening strips in an effort to whiten their teeth. While this can work effectively, in some cases these whitening strips can actually do more harm than good [3].

One of the most important things when considering cosmetic dental work is to use a reputable provider that meets all relevant safety regulations. There is significant hope in the future that these lozenges will be able to whiten teeth.

But in the meantime, here at Savanna Dental, we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments, including professional teeth whitening! Whitened teeth can be achieved in just one visit, providing effective results.

Dental veneers and dental bonding are two other options that can improve the appearance of our teeth. These are other cosmetic treatments that we provide at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental.

Will the lozenges work?

Currently, it is too early to state whether or not these lozenges will be effective. While this is certainly an exciting development, this is far from the first time a “miracle solution” in dentistry has been promoted [4].

The next step is for clinical trials to be held. They will be launched soon as a way of testing out the lozenges in a real-life situation. This will take time, but hopefully the results will be positive.

Researchers have tested the lozenge with success on extracted human teeth and live rats and mice.

While the lozenges are the current focus of scientists – the long-term plan is to create a toothpaste for over-the-counter use, and potentially a gel. But there is no clear timetable on this.

The potential of this development is enormous, with poor oral health resulting in gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Poor oral health continues to be a big problem around the world, with research showing that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of periodontal disease [5].

What should we do for our oral health?

The most important thing we can do for our dental health is to attend regular check-ups. The earlier that problems are detected, the higher chance of treatment not becoming too complex.

When left untreated, what can start as a cavity that requires a standard filling can turn into a more complicated problem, which may require a more complex procedure like a root canal.

It is therefore important to adopt strong oral health, which involves brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and making healthy decisions in our personal lives such as avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.

Our diet is also important. We recently discussed on our blog about the link between a deficiency in Vitamin C and gum disease(click here to read more)– which highlights the importance of a nutritious and balanced diet.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

We have a dental clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Here at Savanna Dental, we provide our patients with a comfortable and caring environment. We recommend that our patients attend check-ups approximately once every six months.

We provide a range of services for when treatment is required after a regular check-up. In each case, we provide personalised advice to each patient, and ensure we provide them with treatment that fits their individual circumstances.

Here at Savanna Dental, we adhere to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which allows us to provide affordable care to our patients across our wide range of services.

Summary

Dentistry continues to made great strides in research, and this latest development certainly has the potential to dramatically improve oral health for people all over the world.

But it is important to remember that having strong oral hygiene is the best course of action to take, regardless of any future developments.

We recommend that you take a look at our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca where you can find out more information about us and the services we offer at our Calgary dental clinic.

• [1] Seow, W. (2014), Developmental defects of enamel and dentine: challenges for basic science research and clinical management. Australian Dental Journal. 59 (1), p143-154.
• [2] University of Washington. (2021). Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel. Available: https://dental.washington.edu/trials-begin-on-lozenge-that-rebuilds-tooth-enamel/. Last accessed: 11th June 2021.
• [3] Gookay, O., Mujdeci, A.,& Algin, E. (2004). Perooxide Penetration into the Pulp from from Whitening Strips. Journal of Endontics. 30 (12), p887-889.
• [4] Washington Post. (1993). This Chewing Gum helps repair teeth. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1993/03/30/this-chewing-gum-helps-repair-teeth/5ad7c7d3-3753-4aaa-bc3e-8874857a4537/. Last accessed: 12th June 2021.
• [5] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.