Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You, from My Dentists

At My Dentists, we know it's easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling our staff at My Dentists, serving Charlotte, Cotswold, Myers Park and South Park. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

My Dentists, offering TMJ treatment in Charlotte

At My Dentists, we know millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD are known to include:

* Pain in the jaw area
* Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
* Frequent headaches or neck aches
* Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
* Swelling on the sides of the face
* Muscle spasms in the jaw area
* A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
* Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Should you notice any of these symptoms, let us know by calling My Dentists! At our convenient Charlotte office, we can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

Gummy Tummy? From My Dentists

At My Dentists, we know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Give us a call at our convenient Charlotte office if you have any questions!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from My Dentists!

The importance of regular checkups, from My Dentists

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing? If yes, we think that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the team at My Dentists every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Drs. Michalski, Yeager and Pinnavaia can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth
• Show you how to properly floss

During an oral exam our doctors will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups at our Charlotte office will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not seen us in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment! Happy New Year!