Advanced Dental Clinic Blog

If you’ve ever experienced persistent headaches that just don’t seem to go away—especially ones accompanied by jaw discomfort—you may be dealing with a TMJ disorder. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms, and headaches are one of the most common.

Understanding what a TMJ headache feels like can help you determine if TMJ treatment could bring you relief.

Do you have dental discoloration detracting from your appearance? You’re not alone if you have stubbornly stained teeth that make you feel self-conscious. Every year, an estimated 40 to 45 million Americans use some form of teeth whitening to lighten their smiles and boost their self-confidence.

Unfortunately, some patients wanting brighter grins end up developing sensitivity and don’t understand why. Continue reading to learn more about how this sometimes happens and what you can do to prevent it!

Invisalign is often an ideal treatment for those wanting straighter smiles without the hassle of traditional braces. Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires, this alternative method uses clear plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to gently reposition them. Not only is the transparent material less noticeable, but it’s also considered more comfortable because it won’t cut the soft tissues inside your mouth.

However, wearing new trays is normal to experience discomfort until your teeth adjust to the changed dimensions. Continue reading to learn 3 ways to alleviate any associated aches from wearing Invisalign!

Whether you’ve been smoking for years or you just picked up your first cigarette or vape pen a couple of weeks ago, it’s never too early or late to quit. In fact, several medical conditions and diseases have been connected to this habit, ranging from an increased risk of heart disease to oral cancer. Learn more about the connection between oral cancer and smoking, and start taking important steps towards quitting, like visiting your primary care physician, to better your oral and overall well-being.

Are you happy with your smile when you look in the mirror? If the answer is no, there are multiple cosmetic services available to help you achieve pearly whites that you are confident showing off. One of the most common solutions is veneers because they can transform numerous aspects of your smile at the same time. They are long-lasting but need to be replaced after 15 years or so. Continue reading to learn the signs that it’s time to replace your veneers.

Your new veneers are an important investment in your oral health, but one that will need to be maintained for a lifetime. While under ideal conditions, they shouldn’t need to be replaced for many years (typically between 15-20), there is plenty you can do to extend their life and ensure that they last as long as possible. Here’s how you can make the most of your new smile!

Nobody ever says they wish they had darker teeth, but that’s exactly what can happen with time with older, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. That’s because as you age, your gums can recede, leaving behind a dark line around the edge of your tooth up at your gumline. Thankfully, this poses no risk to your teeth, however it doesn’t exactly look attractive. Thus, if you notice any metal exposure due to gum recession, it’s a great time to consider replacing your crown.

If your dentist has recommended root canal therapy to save an infected tooth, you don’t have to worry about a painful procedure. Your dentist will use numbing medication to block any discomfort; however, you may experience temporary tenderness after your root canal. Here’s what you can expect when recovering from root canal therapy.

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Tooth whitening is a popular way for patients to clean discoloration from their pearly whites and achieve a smile that is truly dazzling. Whether you whiten your teeth professionally, take home a whitening kit, or add whitening toothpaste to your hygiene routine, you’re bound to feel more confident and ready to show off your new look.

There are some people, though, that might experience an uncomfortable sensitivity. Air, heat, cold, strong flavors, or even brushing can cause shooting pain, leaving some to wonder, “Why are my teeth so sensitive?” “Could I have prevented this?” “How do I relieve this pain?”

These are all good questions that, fortunately, have answers.

Now that it’s February, your schedule for the new year is likely filling out. You may want to restart some good habits while there’s still time to do so. A fine example is to see your dentist more often if you haven’t visited for a while. That said, perhaps you don’t know what to expect from your long-delayed return. Your Catonsville dental practice is happy to give you a heads-up. So, here’s a primer on what you should know if you haven’t seen your dentist lately.