A fascinating new study out of the University of California Irvine could someday mean permanent relief for sufferers of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJD. Temporomandibular joint disorder is a painful condition of the jaw in which the temporomandibular joint becomes misaligned, causing the jaw to click or pop when opened. It can also cause jaw stiffness; difficulty opening and closing the mouth; tinnitus, neck, head and shoulder aches; and much more. Currently, there is no cure for temporomandibular joint disorder, nor is there one single cause for the condition. Treatment options such as physical therapy, custom orthotics, Botox and more can bring some relief, though many sufferers have found longer-lasting relief through neuromuscular orthodontics treatments, and in some rare cases, surgery. But now, a new surgical treatment could someday help patients by providing them with a very special implant. "Researchers at UC Irvine believe they have found a way to grow biological temporomandibular joint discs in a lab," says Wexford, Pennsylvania, dentist Dr. Alexandra George. George treats patients with temporomandibular joint disorder using neuromuscular orthodontics. "And these biological discs would be implanted into TMJ disorder patients to replace the worn joints affected by the condition." This is not the first time this type of procedure has been attempted. In the 1980s a surgical procedure that used Teflon discs was developed, to devastating results. As the Teflon became worn, fragments broke away and entered the brains of many of the patients who underwent the procedure, causing permanent damage to the jaw and brain. The difference between those discs and the discs under development at UC Irvine is that the UC Irvine discs are made with biological tissue, so they are not only more likely to be accepted by the human body, but also, should they wear down over time, the biological material would simply be absorbed into the body without any harm or danger to the brain - or any other part of the body. Currently, the procedure has only been tested on mice, but to great success. The procedure would now need to be tested on human subjects, something the UC Irvine team is currently seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to do. "It will be fascinating to see in the coming years if this type of procedure gains FDA approval and if it really works to correct TMJ disorder in humans," says George. "Its efficacy in animal subjects shows great promise."

Researchers at Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, have found another great reason to take care of your oral hygiene. A recent study of data from 469,628 patients has revealed an increased risk of liver cancer in those who reported having poor oral hygiene that had resulted in everything from missing teeth to bleeding gums and dental abscesses. The study found that while there was no link between poor oral health and other types of gastrointestinal cancers, there was an elevated risk in a particular cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma. Researchers also noted that hepatocellular carcinoma was more common in patients who were young, female, who ate fewer than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, who were overweight or obese, smokers, and those living in less affluent areas. This isn’t the first time poor oral health has been linked to diseases throughout the body. More specifically, periodontal disease has been linked to everything from stroke to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do with the data from this study - namely, use the information to help lower the risk of developing liver cancer. Here’s what you can do. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight Because an elevated risk of liver cancer was found in participants who were classified as overweight or obese, one of the most straightforward ways to help reduce your risk of liver cancer is to maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise. This will help not only with reducing your liver cancer risk, but will also improve your overall health and quality of life. Change Your Diet Even if you don’t have excess weight to lose, adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is a healthy way to get all the vitamins, minerals and fiber your body needs. Just five servings a day can not only lower your liver cancer risk, but can also help you maintain healthy body weight. Quit Smoking While this is usually easier said than done, quitting smoking is worth the challenge. If you’re ready to quit but don’t know where to start, speak to your doctor for more information. Take Care of Your Teeth It goes without saying that to prevent a disease that is linked to poor oral hygiene you should be diligent about caring for your oral health. Be sure to brush twice a day, for two minutes minimum each time, and floss at least once a day. Don’t forget your dental exams either! To schedule your exam with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

If you suffer from the pain of temporomandibular joint disorder, you probably have days when the pain and stiffness in your jaw is so out of control you’d try just about anything to get relief, no matter how new and unconventional it was. But while there are new advances in medical science every day, sometimes it can help to go with something a little older. As in, centuries older. Though you may not have tried it or even heard of it, acupressure has been around for a long time, with the oldest dated text on acupressure techniques dating back to around AD 282. Acupressure is an ancient form of what is known as "touch therapy," which works under the same principles as acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the pressure points are stimulated by the hands, or more specifically the fingertips. Much like with the many areas of the rest of the body, there are many acupressure pressure points that can potentially help with the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder. Though it may not work for everyone, acupressure provides another option to try in conjunction with your current TMJ disorder treatment plan. A few pressure points that are recommended by acupressure therapists for treating temporomandibular joint disorder include the Wind Pool technique, the Listening Place, the Jaw Bone Point, the Wind Screen and the Triple Warmer, among others. Though these techniques can be performed at home, it is best to visit a certified acupressure therapist to be evaluated first. He or she can perform these techniques on you and gauge your response. If they work and you continue with your therapist, great! If you prefer to try them at home, your therapist can instruct you in the proper way to perform them yourself if possible. If this sounds like something you would like to try for your temporomandibular joint pain, speak to Dr. George before beginning any acupressure, physical therapy or other medical regimen. She can evaluate your condition and make sure you are a good candidate for this type of therapy, and can even recommend some physical therapy techniques you can do on your own. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

When you think of your smartphone, you probably don’t automatically think of your teeth. But what you may not realize is that there are many ways you can use your smartphone to care for your teeth, and more are arriving all the time. From games to make dental appointments more fun to an innovative new way to get dental insurance, our phones are becoming more and more in tune with our daily lives. Whether you’re looking for brushing reminders or a way to nudge your kids into better oral hygiene, here are some of the best up-and-coming oral health apps! Beam The Beam app isn’t for everyone - your employer needs to offer Beam insurance. But if you are an employer or your company’s dental insurance plan is lacking, Beam might be a viable solution to introduce to your HR department. Beam not only offers dental insurance, but it also offers a toothbrush, paste and brush-heads that sync with an app. When data from your brushing activity each day gets uploaded to Beam (uploading is optional), that data is used to grade you. The higher the grade, the lower your dental insurance premiums! It’s a pretty cool and useful way to encourage great oral hygiene. Yonder Yonder is an app designed by a team at the University of Minnesota in conjunction with the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center. But researchers never intended to make an app – in fact, they initially set out to make a new child-restraint device for children who will not remain safely seated in the dental chair. Instead, researchers came up with Yonder, an app that follows a hippo named Mimi through her first dental appointment. Studies on the app have shown that almost all the children who used it were able to successfully get through their first dental checkup. Though the app isn’t available to download just yet, look for it in your app store soon. Level The Level app is another dental insurance app that works a bit differently than Beam. Level is an insurance app that not only provides its own insurance, but also explains your policy in simple, easy-to-understand terms. Level allows you to choose your provider based on up-front out-of-pocket pricing, so there are no surprises at checkout. Not all employers offer Level, but based on its user-friendly operation, we’ll likely be hearing more about it soon. To schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

The internet is a wondrous place full of miraculous cures for all sorts of ailments - or so every web-based snake oil salesman with a dream would like you to believe. From miracle diets that claim you can lose 20 pounds in a week to cure-alls for everything from acne to diabetes, if these things worked, life would be great. Unfortunately, most of these so-called cures are just a bunch of broken promises. But one particular cure has a lot of people talking. Some people claim you can naturally heal cavities in just two days. But here's the problem: You can’t heal cavities at home in two days or in any other number of days - there is no way to heal a cavity. That’s because once a cavity becomes a cavity, it’s too late to reverse it. Unfortunately, tooth enamel does not repair itself, which is why when we get cavities, we need fillings. Thankfully, fillings are a relatively straightforward procedure. To fill a tooth, your dentist will clean out the decayed portion and then replace it with a composite made of either metal amalgam or resin. That’s the only way you can actually "heal" a cavity. Sure, there are ways to stop a cavity from starting - that part is simple. Make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss between the teeth at least once a day. George says there are even ways to prevent a pre-cavity from turning into a full cavity. Pre-cavities are not quite cavities yet but could become cavities if not properly cared for. They are spots where the enamel of the teeth has worn away or become demineralized. Because they are not yet cavities, pre-cavities can be treated and stopped before they become full-fledged cavities. Pre-cavities can be treated with fluoride and sealants, but they also respond well to proper oral health care and avoiding foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, which the bacteria in your mouth often turn into sugar. The big takeaway in all of this is this: If you have a cavity, get it treated as soon as possible, before it turns into something bigger than it needs to be. Remember, cavities have a way of starting out small and turning into much bigger problems. If left untreated, they can not only get bigger, but can also turn into things like abscesses that require root canals or even extractions. If you suspect you have a cavity, skip the internet and call Dr. George at 724-220-2347.

You may have already heard that some doctors and dental practitioners are using the popular cosmetic injectable Botox to treat more than just wrinkles. A growing number of practitioners are using the injectable to do things like controlling overactive sweat glands in patients with hyperhidrosis or helping to keep migraine headaches at bay. But while some of these uses are approved by the Federal Drug Administration, some newer uses are not – including use for temporomandibular joint disorder. But that could all change if a new clinical trial out of Canada yields the kind of results temporomandibular joint disorder patients are hoping for. "Currently, the Federal Drug Administration does not approve Botox for use with temporomandibular joint disorder," says Dr. Alexandra George, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, at her Wexford, Pennsylvania, clinic. "But we’re hoping this study will help change that." The study is being conducted at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, by a team of researchers in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and will follow five subjects with TMJ disorder who are considered heavy tooth grinders. Funded by a $10,000 grant from the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the study will monitor the patients over six months - the amount of time the Botox is thought to be effective. Researchers say that the purpose of injecting the Botox is to take some of the pressure off the jaw joints, but experts like George say that may not be enough. "The great thing about this study is that it could possibly help a lot of patients with certain types of temporomandibular joint disorder - but it won’t work for everyone," George says. That’s because, as researchers concur, not all TMJ disorder cases are caused by the same problems. When the problem is not muscular and is in fact caused by damage to the temporomandibular joint itself, Botox cannot be effective. "Patients who have problems with the actual TMJ joint are often prescribed arthroscopy procedures, which not only get an up-close look at the joint itself but can actually clean it out and inject it with steroids to bring down some of the inflammation," says George. As for the study, the results are yet to come in, but researchers are already seeing positive results and remain optimistic that treating temporomandibular joint disorder with Botox may not be an off-brand use for much longer.

Tartar. It’s that icky yellow or brown line that sits on your teeth along the gumline that, no matter how hard you brush (don’t brush too hard!), you can’t seem to get rid of. But what exactly is tartar - and, seriously, how do you get rid of it? Here’s everything you need to know about removing that pesky oral menace known as tartar. Hire a Pro Want to know the easiest way to whiten your teeth? It's not some magic chemical compound or plastic strip. It’s a good old-fashioned dental cleaning. Why? Because much of what causes that ugly discoloration on our teeth is a buildup of plaque known as tartar. Tartar (also known as calculus) is a buildup of hardened plaque bacteria that adheres to the teeth and hardens in place, making it impossible to simply brush away at home. Try as you might to scrub it away, tartar doesn’t budge. In order to remove tartar, you need a professional dental cleaning like the ones you get at Dr. George’s office. You see, tartar is usually bonded to your teeth so much that, unlike regular plaque, it becomes a solid. Worse still, it not only looks bad, but it’s also terrible for your teeth. That’s because the longer that tartar sits on your teeth, the weaker your tooth enamel becomes, and the more likely you are to develop cavities. More Tartar Troubles Tartar is also very porous, so it stains easily - so even if your tartar starts out white, if you drink coffee, soda or wine, chances are that color will change! Tartar also keeps bacteria close to your gumline, something that can be extremely dangerous for your gums because it can cause gum disease or gingivitis. If left untreated, this can worsen and develop into advanced periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis. Periodontitis isn’t just bad news for your gums - it can cause gum and tissue loss and can also cause tooth and bone loss. Beyond your mouth, periodontal disease can contribute to everything from cancer to heart disease to diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. What to Do - and Not Do If you see tartar forming at the gumline, don’t try to brush harder - you could injure your gums. Also, don’t try to scrape it away yourself - you could permanently damage your teeth. The best way to treat tartar is to call Dr. George’s office and schedule a cleaning. To schedule an appointment, please call Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

If your dentist has recommended a dental debridement prior to your next cleaning and exam, you may be confused and maybe even a little bit nervous. After all, a debridement sounds a little bit scary and painful. The good news is, debridement isn’t scary or painful - and it’s certainly nothing to be afraid of. Here’s what you need to know about dental debridement. What Is Dental Debridement? Dental debridement is a process of removing excess plaque and tartar from the teeth. Dental debridement is not used for the average checkup. It is not used for the normal level of plaque most people accumulate every six to 12 months between checkups, but it is a useful procedure for more severe buildup that generally takes years to accumulate. Debridement is completed using special ultrasonic tools that clean and scale the teeth prior to a dental exam, so they are clean enough to be examined by the dentist during the actual dental examination. What Happens During Debridement? During a debridement, the exposed portion of the teeth that sits above the gumline is scraped with special tools used specifically for dental debridement procedures. During a debridement procedure, any parts of the teeth with buildup below the gumline are cleaned with ultrasonic tools that break up the tartar below the surface of the gums. Though it is generally well tolerated, the ultrasonic deep cleaning of the gums may cause some soreness and inflammation of the gums following the procedure. In severe cases where the plaque is particularly dense, the patient is sent home for their gums to heal and is asked to return in several weeks (anywhere from two to six weeks) for the regular cleaning and exam. In other cases, the patient may be able to have their exam on the same day, depending on the condition of the teeth and gums post-debridement. In the meantime, the patient must begin proper oral hygiene to maintain the cleaning and to prevent further buildup from accumulating on the teeth. Post exam, you should plan to visit Dr. George twice annually for your regular cleaning and exam, and continue brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing at least once a day. To learn more about dental debridement or to schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

Has drinking that coffee become torture? Eating ice cream become agony? Does eating citrus fruit cause too much pain to bother? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. With an estimated one in eight adults suffering from the painful condition known as sensitive teeth, chances are even if you aren’t, someone you know is. But what causes sensitive teeth - and what can you do to correct it? If you or a loved one are one of the nearly 40 million Americans who experience pain and sensitivity while eating, keep reading. What Causes Sensitive Teeth? There is no one cause of sensitive teeth. Many factors can contribute to sensitivity, or just one. It can be caused by everything from consuming highly acidic foods like citrus and soda, to brushing too roughly or with too hard a toothbrush bristle. On the more serious end, sensitive teeth can be caused by teeth grinding, gum disease, receding gums, enamel wear, fractured teeth, cavities and exposed dentin on the teeth. All these issues can make it easier for hot, cold and acidic foods to reach the nerves of the tooth, causing the pain and sensitivity we feel when we consume them. Can I Fix Tooth Sensitivity Myself? If you are experiencing sensitivity while consuming certain foods – or even when your teeth are exposed to cold air - there are treatment options available. We recommend you first examine your diet. Are you eating a diet that is high in acidic foods or citrus? Try cutting back on or eliminating those foods from your diet and see if the sensitivity wanes. The next step you should try is switching to sensitive toothpaste. Sensitive toothpaste can actually fill in some of the microscopic canals in your teeth that lead to the nerves, preventing them from exposure to whatever is causing the sensitivity in the first place. If sensitive toothpaste is still not enough, schedule an appointment with Dr. George for an exam. At the Dentist If you are unable to resolve your tooth sensitivity at home, it's time for a visit to Dr. George. There your teeth will be evaluated, and several options may be discussed depending on the reason your teeth are sensitive. For receding gums, a gum-grafting procedure may be recommended, or for teeth with exposed dentin, inlays, onlays or crowns may be applied. You may also require a root canal or filling, or it could be as simple of a fix as applying a sealant to the teeth. If you have any questions or concerns about your tooth sensitivity, please contact Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

You’re probably used to hearing about all the things that are bad for your teeth these days. Soda, candy, highly acidic foods - if it tastes good, chances are it's bad for you, right? Well, if you thought you had to give up all your favorite foods to save your teeth, we have some great news. Some of the foods we love the most aren’t just "not bad" for your teeth - some of them are actually good for your teeth. If you’re looking for ways to snack smarter but still enjoy your food, these oral health-friendly foods may just put a smile on your face! Say Cheese! A recent study in General Dentistry magazine claims that while all dairy benefits your teeth thanks to the calcium it contains, cheese is especially good at neutralizing plaque acids in the mouth. While it's not clear why cheese specifically does such a great job at this (other dairy products did not change the plaque pH significantly enough), researchers hypothesize it could be a combination of the calcium and the need to chew cheese to digest it - something that is not necessary for the other foods in the study. Wine Wine and cheese go together like, well, wine and cheese. If you were worried your favorite glass of red was bad for your teeth due to the acidity, here’s more good news. Red wine contains an amino acid called polyphenols, which have been clinically proven to ward off oral bacteria. So next time you have that slice of oral health-friendly cheese, why not enjoy it with a nice glass of wine? Almonds Almonds are low in sugar but packed with protein and calcium - and they’re filling, too, so just a handful can give you the energy you need to get through that mid-afternoon slump. But they’re also great for your teeth, so next time you’re craving something crunchy, swap the chips for a handful of delicious almonds. Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables have a variety of benefits for your oral health. While some are packed with fiber (which scrubs your teeth while you chew) others have calcium, which helps strengthen tooth enamel. Others like citrus fruits can be harmful to the teeth if the teeth are not properly cared for, but citrus is still packed with vitamins and does your body good. There’s really no fruit or veggie that doesn’t benefit your oral or overall health in some way, so nosh away without the guilt! Coffee While many people automatically think "coffee stains" when they think of coffee’s effect on the mouth, believe it or not, coffee is great for your teeth. When consumed with sugar substitute or no sugar at all, coffee has the ability to neutralize some plaque acids in the mouth, as do certain teas, such as green tea. To schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 970-812-0355.

Great news for lovers of red wine! The adult beverage has been found to have many health benefits over the years, including lowering blood pressure; protecting the brain from brain damage after stroke; preventing a condition called angiogenesis, which causes an overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye that can lead to blindness; preventing colon cancer; and even preventing breast cancer - just to name a few. So, what’s the key to all these benefits? The answer is a group of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. "There are over 500 different types of polyphenols, all of which are naturally occurring in plants. In the case of red wine, the polyphenols are found in the skin and seeds of the grapes," says Dr. Alexandra George, a dentist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. Polyphenols have four classes: flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes and phenolic acid. Though research has not yet been conclusive, it is believed that polyphenols may affect gene expression, and our genes may affect how our bodies handle polyphenols. For example, some studies have found that polyphenols can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Another study found that the higher the flavonoid levels in a person, the lower their risk of obesity! But now, a new study is touting another benefit of polyphenols - specifically the polyphenols you consume when drinking red wine - and this time it could benefit your teeth! The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and comes from the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. In this particular study, researchers took a closer look at how polyphenols called P-coumaric acid and caffeic affected the oral biome. In the study, P-coumaric acid and caffeic (which notably are also found in cranberry juice and coffee) helped prevent harmful plaque and bacteria from sticking to the teeth and gums. "The P-coumaric acid and caffeic acted almost as a shield against plaque," says George. "But they were found to be even more powerful when combined with streptococcus dentisani bacteria, which is a powerful probiotic." Great news, right? A little swish of red wine and you don’t need to brush tonight, right? Well, not exactly, says George. "Unfortunately, in order for that to work, the scientists in the study say you’d have to swish with red wine for about 47 hours," George says. "But the good news is that if scientists can derive some of those helpful polyphenols from red wine, they could someday make a really amazing toothpaste." In the meantime, keep indulging in that occasional glass of red wine without feeling guilty, George says. "Between what we do know about the health benefits of polyphenols and the emerging research about what we don’t yet know, in some small way or another, that glass of red wine is doing your body good!"

Have you ever had a headache that was so bad you couldn’t focus on anything else? What about a toothache, or an ear infection? If you think about the pain caused by each of these ailments, how do you feel they compare to, say, a stubbed toe, a sprained ankle or a cut on the finger? If you’re like many people, chances are you will think, for whatever reason, that pain in your head is worse than pain anywhere else in the body. Well, until recently this was just a theory. But recently, a team of researchers at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, set out to test that very theory, and see why head pain seems so much worse than pain elsewhere in the body. What they found may surprise you. Published in the December 2017 issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience, the Duke University study reveals that the neurons that sense pain in the head are directly linked, via an express route, if you will, to the neurons in the brain that link to our emotions - emotions such as fear, pain, anxiety and depression. "In the head, the pathway between the pain receptors and emotions occurs in the trigeminal ganglion and runs to the parabrachial nucleus and on to other emotion receptors," says Dr. Alexandra George, a dentist who treats patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. "It’s like taking a direct flight from New York to Boston. On the other hand, in the rest of the body, there are pathways, but they are not directly linked to those emotional centers. If you think of this as a flight, it’s more like a flight from Los Angeles to New York with a layover in Chicago." George sees patients with this type of severe pain regularly at her Wexford, Pennsylvania, practice. She says it is not unheard of for patients with TMJ disorder to be in so much pain they cannot focus on anything else. So, now that we know that the idea of pain feeling more intense in the head isn’t "all in our head," what can be done with that information? Researchers in the study hope to use it to focus more closely on the TRPV1 and CGRP molecules and possibly even sever monosynaptic pathways that enable this type of pain to occur. In the meantime, George says there are still ways to manage the pain from conditions like TMJ disorder, such as neuromuscular dentistry and orthodontics to realign the jaw to an optimal position. "This allows for the jaw to sit comfortably and function properly, alleviating much of the pain you experience with TMJ disorder," says George. "There’s really no need to suffer through that kind of pain."

Do you already have a perfect smile, complete with Hollywood-straight teeth? Don’t assume all is well, according to dentists and orthodontists. That’s because, despite looks, even the straightest-looking teeth can often hide problems that can cause everything from a painfully bad bite to microscopic cracks and chips in the tooth enamel. This means that despite that even-looking grin, you could someday deal with painful repercussions that are costly and painful to fix. Dr. Alexandra George is a Wexford, Pennsylvania, dentist. She says that everyone - no matter how beautiful their smile is – owes it to themselves to get an orthodontic exam. "When we think of orthodontics, we most likely think of straightening out a crooked smile," says George. "It seems like a strictly cosmetic procedure to some, but orthodontics really can do so much more." For example, George says one of the most useful things orthodontics can do has nothing to do with aesthetics. Orthodontics can correct a bad bite, something that can cause everything from difficulty chewing to chips and cracks in the teeth. "If the teeth are hitting or scraping at each other when you chew, or they simply aren’t aligned evenly when your jaw is closed, you could be doing damage to your enamel," George says. Enamel is the semi-translucent outer layer of your teeth. Though it is the hardest substance in the human body, unlike bone it doesn’t grow back when damaged. That's why we need fillings when our enamel is damaged. But an aligned bite is one more way to protect that enamel. Another reason people get orthodontic treatment is for a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder affects an estimated 10 million Americans, most of whom are women. It occurs when the temporomandibular joint becomes misaligned with the rest of the skull and can cause everything from jaw stiffness to tinnitus and head, neck and back pain. What’s more, according to George, you can have a beautiful smile and still have temporomandibular joint disorder. Thankfully, a category of orthodontics called neuromuscular orthodontics can help treat temporomandibular joint disorder by realigning the jaw to its optimal placement. George is a practitioner of this type of orthodontics and has seen success in her patients who undergo this treatment. Another reason to visit the orthodontist? Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans each night - and many of them don’t even realize it’s a problem. While some may wonder what their dentist or orthodontist can do to help with their sleep, George says many dentists and orthodontists can provide sleep orthotics that help prop the airway open as the patient sleeps. If you have never received an orthodontic evaluation, George says it's never too late to get one. As for children, dentists recommend they receive their first orthodontic exam at age 7. "It’s a good age to get a treatment plan in motion if that is necessary," says George. "It not only helps the parents prepare for the expenses related to the treatment, but more importantly the sooner the treatment begins, the better the results."

A recent study was conducted to find new ways to bring some relief to sufferers of an increasingly common joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder (or TMJD for short) is a condition where the temporomandibular joint of the jaw falls out of alignment and causes debilitating symptoms such as headaches, backaches, neck pain, ringing of the ears, jaw clicking, and the inability to open and close the mouth. The condition affects predominately women and is becoming more common among young people and millennials. The study, which was published by Bel Marra Health, has revealed that patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder get the most relief from applying warm compresses to areas affected by TMJD and by special exercises and physical therapy. These methods were found to be more effective than other methods of treating temporomandibular joint disorder, such as prescription or over-the-counter pain medication or even trigger point therapy - and it's got some doctors scratching their heads. Wexford, Pennsylvania, dentist and neuromuscular orthodontic practitioner Dr. Alexandra George says it's easy to understand why some TMJD treatments may not be enough. "Though TMJ disorder starts in the temporomandibular joint, the pain is not always restricted to that one area," she says. "People with TMJ disorder often experience pain that radiates throughout the head, back and neck, so treating trigger points may not be enough. A more holistic approach such as physical therapy may be more effective." In her practice, George also incorporates orthodontic appliances as part of a holistic treatment program, something the study found effective combined with other methods as well as on its own. "This is why we recommend combining neuromuscular therapy with other treatments," says George. "Especially physical therapy and warm compresses." George is also careful to point out that how a patient finds relief from temporomandibular joint disorder also depends on what type of the disorder they are suffering from in the first place. That’s because there are many causes of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, but the major issues stem from two main areas: either the muscles or the joint itself. And, according to George, some treatments simply won’t cross over. "If the pain is in the muscle itself, we can treat the muscle, but if it's in the actual temporomandibular joint, then there are different methods for that as well," she says. George cites arthroscopy as a common treatment for joint damage and neuromuscular orthodontics to aid in realignment. "It’s a case-by-case basis, but there is unfortunately no one-size-fits-all miracle treatment or cure."

The data are in and it doesn’t look good: Skin cancer rates are on the incline. In fact, here in the United States, non-melanoma skin cancer rates skyrocketed by 77 percent from 1994 to 2014. Experts estimate that trend will continue, increasing 7.7 percent this year alone. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can occur anywhere on the body - the arms, back, feet, legs, scalp and even the lips. But despite how common skin cancer is, and despite the illness having a good survival rate, many people aren’t aware of how dangerous it can be. Dr. Alexandra George is a dentist in Wexford, Pennsylvania. She says one of the dangers of skin cancer that many don’t realize is that skin cancer can easily spread. "Skin cancer on the face or lips, for example, can spread to the mouth, which then becomes oral cancer," says George. Experts say skin cancer rates are increasing because the ozone layer of our atmosphere is decreasing, thanks in no small part to pollution. As pollution continues to increase, so too will skin cancer rates. Thankfully, according to George, there are ways to prevent skin cancer, or at least reduce your risk of developing the illness. "The first key to prevention is protection," says George. "That means you need to cover up when you go out in the sun." At a bare minimum, George recommends wearing sunblock on all exposed areas of skin, including the ears and lips. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you wear a minimum of SPF30 at all times, and that you follow the instructions on the bottle, reapplying as directed. "The sun breaks down the sunblock over time, so it's important to reapply it," George says. If you plan on spending time at the beach or pool this summer, that reapplication is imperative after going in the water. But don’t think you only need sunblock when you're sunbathing. You still need to wear it anytime you go outside, and ideally you should be wearing protective covering too, George says. "Wide-brimmed hats can protect the ears and nose, and long sleeves and long pants protect the arms and legs," she says. George agrees it may be a hard sell to convince people to wear long clothing in summer, but that and sunblock are your best defense against skin cancer this summer. "At the very minimum, make sure you’re wearing sunblock," she says. "Yes, it’s one more thing you have to do, but it's so much easier to apply sunblock than to undergo cancer treatment."

There are many reasons to undergo orthodontic treatment, from simply wanting a straighter smile to needing treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders or to eliminate a bad bite. With all these benefits to wearing braces, orthodontic treatment is well worth the cost. But one commonly believed benefit of orthodontic treatment in general has been recently discovered to be untrue, and it may take you by surprise. A recent study from the University of Adelaide in Australia found that the commonly held belief that realigning the teeth makes patients less likely to develop cavities and tooth decay is simply not true. The theory was that better alignment allowed for easier brushing and flossing – and while this is usually still true, what isn’t true is the notion that the teeth somehow require less care post-orthodontic treatment than before orthodontic treatment. The study looked at dental records from patients from ages 13 to 30, tracking their oral care habits. It also monitored the number of filled, lost and decayed teeth. Researchers found no difference in the rates of these dental issues among those who wore braces in the past and those who didn’t. So, what does this mean? It means that orthodontic treatment is not a free pass to neglect your oral hygiene, and proper care – including brushing and flossing - is still necessary to maintain your oral health. To learn more about proper oral health and care following braces, please contact Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

Sleep. We all need it, and no matter how much we get we always seem to want more. But for some of us, sleep isn’t so easy to come by. Especially for those of us with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. That’s because sleeping in a "bad" position can exacerbate or worsen TMJ disorder symptoms. Unfortunately, sometimes a position that feels comfortable for the rest of the body is harmful to TMJ disorder. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to sleep positioning with TMJ disorder. Do: Sleep on your back. With proper support, sleeping on your back alleviates pressure on your temporomandibular joint. It also keeps your head and neck in proper positioning. Get a new pillow. Your pillow will determine the positioning of your head and neck, so it's important to get one that offers proper support. Speak to Dr. George about what kind of pillow is best for you. Don’t: Sleep on your stomach or side. Both of these positions put pressure on your temporomandibular joint, which not only pushes it out of optimal alignment, but can also increase pain and sensitivity. Forget or choose not to wear any prescribed night guards or orthotic devices. They are prescribed to you for a reason and will help your treatment progress. Remember, getting a good night’s sleep is vital to treating your TMJ disorder. When you are overtired and stressed, your body is tense and your posture suffers. You may even be more likely to grind your teeth. All these things contribute to the worsening of your TMJ disorder symptoms, so be sure to make proper sleep a priority every single night. Do you need to talk to Dr. George about your temporomandibular joint disorder? Make an appointment today by calling 724-220-2347.

Picture this: You’re finally getting treatment for your TMJ disorder. You’ve been prescribed neuromuscular orthodontic treatment, but Dr. George has prescribed you not one but two different mouth guards - one to wear during the day, and one to wear at night. Why do you need two different mouth guards? You have the same mouth no matter what time of day it is, right? So what’s the big difference between day and night guards, anyway? Day Guards Day mouth guards are designed to discreetly fit over the teeth without being obvious. With a day guard you can still speak and carry on normal activities while preventing things like bruxism (teeth grinding) and positioning your jaw into place. Day guards also help prevent you from using your teeth for other bad habits like nail biting, because they must be removed to chew anything. Night Guards Night guards are equally as functional as day guards, but with less concern about being discreet. Night guards address a variety of issues such as bruxism, sleep apnea and aligning of the jaw to its optimal position. With time, neuromuscular orthodontics, including your night guard, can adjust the jaw positioning so that you may not need to wear a night guard that is bulky – or you may not need to wear a night guard at all. Do I Really Need Two Mouth Guards? Just as not everyone’s TMJ disorder is the same, not everyone will require the same TMJ disorder treatment. This includes the use of day and/or night guards. You may not want to wear two different night guards around the clock, but for best results, and for the sake of your teeth, if Dr. George prescribes two mouth guards for your treatment, trust her expertise and wear your day and night guards as prescribed. Want to learn more about mouth guards to treat TMJ disorder? Call Dr. George's office at 724-220-2347.

If you have both diabetes and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you probably are well aware of how painful and troublesome both conditions can be on their own. Together it can often seem like the two are joining forces for evil to ruin your health and happiness. It may even seem like one condition is making the other worse - but that could just be in your head, right? Well, not so fast. The truth is, having TMJ disorder and diabetes together can actually exacerbate both conditions. So maybe it’s not in your head after all ... Inflammation As a diabetic, one word you’ve probably heard often is inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s response to fighting off infection. Inflammation in itself can be a good thing, but it can be bad if it lasts longer than necessary. Chronic inflammation can cause heart disease, arthritis, periodontal disease and diabetes, just to name a few dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Inflammation can also make the pain of TMJ disorder a whole lot worse, because the inflammation affects the joints. Diabetic Diets and TMJ Disorder One of the keys to maintaining a healthy life with diabetes is by eating healthy food. Unfortunately sometimes healthy food can make TMJ disorder symptoms worse, so be sure you are eating the right healthy foods. Try foods that are high in vitamin D to help reduce inflammation, such as salmon, leafy greens and quinoa – all of which also happen to be easy to chew, even with TMJ disorder. You may also want to try steaming vegetables so they are softer, and eating soft fruits such as bananas, citrus, berries and ripe peaches. Apples can be cut into smaller bites, made into applesauce or baked. Other great TMJD options that are suitable for diabetics are peanut butter, hummus or any other pureed or blended nut - provided it does not have any sugar added. Finally, soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella, cottage cheese and Monterey jack are all excellent sources of protein that will not break your diet. You can even try sugar-free or "light" yogurt, which has active cultures that can regulate both your gut bacteria and oral bacteria. Plus, yogurt can help regulate another inflammatory condition: inflammatory bowel disease. Remember, your oral health is closely connected to your overall health and well-being. When you take care of your mouth, your entire body benefits, but when you neglect your oral health, your entire body can just as easily suffer. To learn more about TMJ disorder, please give Dr. Alexandra George a call at 724-220-2347.

When New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton’s team missed their chance to attend the 2019 Super Bowl, fans of his rival team, the Carolina Panthers, decided to play a prank on the coach. Encouraged by a local DJ, fans tweeted suggestions of what "gifts" to send him. Suggestions ranged from pacifiers with the opposing team’s logo to penalty flags and even a gift certificate to a shoe store in an effort to mock Payton’s signature look. But one suggestion stuck out among the many, and it could be a harmful one. It happened when one Panthers fan on Twitter suggested that Payton may be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ disorder or TMJD. Temporomandibular joint disorder affects the jaw joints, causing pain; stiffness of the jaw, back and neck; headaches; ringing in the ears; and more. The tweet read: "I got so [sic] chapstick for his lips, maybe a massage for his cheeks he probably has TMJ." So, what’s wrong with this message? "Well, for starters, if someone has TMJ disorder, they should be seen by a neuromuscular orthodontist before attempting any other treatment," says Dr. Alexandra George, a neuromuscular orthodontist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. That’s because without exact knowledge of the problem, treating it yourself could make it worse. "Your orthodontist or dentist should be the one suggesting treatments, not someone on Twitter," says George "The fear is that someone reads that quote and tries something that actually makes the problem worse. Especially if the masseur doesn’t know how to treat TMJ disorders." Sound advice from an expert: Don’t get medical advice from Twitter, and if you believe you could be suffering from TMJ disorder, speak to your doctor or dentist.