Wednesday, October 8, 2008 | WELLNESS NEWS
· Jaw Dropping News About TMJ with Dr. Raymond Hatland, DDS
· Tip of the Week: How to Give Your Child a Sweet and Healthy Halloween with Dr. John Rothchild, DDS
Jaw Dropping News About TMJ with Dr. Raymond Hatland, DDS
According to DentalGuideUSA.org, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ disorder) affects 5-12 percent of the population. TMJ disorder occurs when there is inflammation of the temporomandibular joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJD can result in significant pain as a result of destructive oral habits or head, neck or jaw trauma. Such disorders are often overlooked because humans naturally develop coping mechanisms to discount symptoms, leaving many with the chronic jaw pain and headaches that undoubtedly develop with TMJ disorder. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Raymond Hatland, DDS, explains that once a TMJ disorder is established, the healing process can be sped up with joint therapy and the use of proper oral appliances.
“Unfortunately, proper identification and treatment of TMJ disorder is rare,” says Dr. Hatland. “This results in many people unknowingly becoming victims of the long-term oral stress and chronic head pain associated with TMJ disorder.”
Dr. Hatland explains that people are more at risk of developing TMJ disorder, or even habits that cause it, if they keep their mouths shut for long periods of time each day or have a history of trauma to the head or neck. Grinding and clenching are simple bite disorders that have profound impacts on the temporomandibular joint. Resultant bleeding inside the joint capsule creates adhesions to the jaw’s articular disk, eventually preventing its full range of motion. Such long-term effects are dangerous to a patient’s oral practice, but with proper treatment can be corrected. Dr. Hatland provides the following symptoms to help patients recognize a TMJ disorder:
· Unusual Jaw Sounds – Clicking, popping or grating in the joint when opening and closing one’s mouth are common symptoms of a disorder.
· Hypersensitivity – TMJ disorder often causes teeth to be extra sensitive which is most noticeable when eating cold food, drinking cold liquids and breathing cold air.
· Jaw Pain – Waking up with jaw stiffness or pain is a tell-tale sign that there is a possible problem with the TMJ.
· Head and Neck Aches – Chronic neck pain and headaches are clues to unusual oral and jaw pressure.
· Tooth Wear – Although this usually takes a dentist to recognize, mild to moderate wear on teeth is another sign of TMJ disorders.
ChicagoHealers.com Wednesday Experts
Dr. Raymond Hatland, DDS: Holistic Dentistry/Energy
Dr. John Rothchild, DDS: Holistic Dentistry
Tip of the Week: How to Give Your Child a Sweet And Healthy Halloween with Dr. John Rothchild, DDS
According to the United States Government, 36 million children go trick-or-treating every year. Most trick-or-treaters have high expectations for their favorite candy treats every Halloween and even though the treats are delicious, they can be very damaging to a child’s teeth. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. John Rothchild, DDS, explains that there are alternative options to passing out candy on Halloween. Treats such as fruits and granola bars are a better option, as sugary candy may cause cavities.
“Apples are great because they can be dipped in caramel and provide that small amount of sweetness, if consumed in moderation” says Dr. Rothchild. “If that doesn’t work, try handing out tickets to the movie theatre so kids can still enjoy a treat.”
Although healthy alternatives are a good idea, the truth is candy is what children expect and look forward to this time of year. For those that want to keep the tradition going, candies or gums with Xylitol sweetener are the best choice. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that tastes good and prevents teeth decay by killing the bacteria that causes it. Dr. Rothchild offers these tips to keep Halloween healthy.
· No Chocolate Zone – 80 to 100 calories in most candies are from trans fats and added sugars. Candies with more sugar, such as hard candies, have less fat while candies with less sugar, such as chocolate bars, have more fat. Granola bars and fruit snacks are a healthier alternative.
· Stick to Your Limits– Both types of candy, hard and soft have excessive amounts of sugar in them and can stick to teeth and cause decay. Try to limit sugar intake as much as possible.
· Hard Facts – Many grocery stores begin receiving their Halloween candy assortment 6 months in advance. This increases the chance of stale candy which can cause severe tooth damage if bitten into. If the candy seems harder than it should be, avoid biting into it.
· Good Cop, Bad Cop – Parents want to let their children enjoy the holiday and eat the sweet treats they receive, but try allocating a specific amount of candy for children to eat and then disposing of the rest.
About ChicagoHealers.com
Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com) is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. Our holistic health experts teach and advocate natural and empowered health and life choices through their practices, the media, educational events, and our website. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.chicagohealers.com.
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