Eliminate the Painful Symptoms of TMJ Disorder with help from Dr. Bobby Carmen

February 28, 2015

Filed under: TMJ Therapy,Uncategorized — Tags: Central Oklahoma, central oklahoma dentistry, dr. bobby carmen, dr. bobby j. carmen, dr. carmen, Moore, Norman, Norman dentist, the University of Oklahoma, TMJ therapy, University of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma dentistry — dr_carmen @ 9:45 pm

167121308 Have you ever heard of your temporomandibular joints? No? That’s okay, even though they’re located on either side of the face just in front of the ears, most people haven’t heard of them either. However, if you experience persistent headaches or a host of other painful symptoms, then you may want to spend some time learning about those joints. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen in Norman, OK, treats patients with TMJ disorder, or TMD, so they can get back to living a productive and pain-free life.

Your temporomandibular joints allow you to open and close your mouth, so you can chew, talk, smile, laugh and yawn. If these joints malfunction—whether because of a bite problem that is brought on by misaligned teeth, uneven surfaces on the teeth caused by teeth grinding, or a hard blow to the face—then the consequences can be a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Perhaps the most common symptom is pain when chewing. Other symptoms may include:

Headaches and migraines
The feeling of an earache without infection
Swelling on the side of the face
A clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth
Sensitive teeth
A stiff or locked jaw
Misaligned teeth or other changes in your bite

TMJ Therapy in Norman, OK

If Dr. Carmen does diagnose you with TMD, then the goals are to arrest it, protect teeth from further damage, and correct underlying bite misalignment. To do this, Dr. Carmen may prescribe an oral appliance that you’ll wear at night to reduce stress on your jaw. You’ll also want to avoid eating hard and chewy foods, slouching—good posture can alleviate pain in your head, neck and shoulders—and stressful situations as much as possible, which naturally cause people to clench their teeth.

Call Our Office Today

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then call Dr. Bobby Carmen today to schedule a consultation to determine if the cause is TMD. Dr. Carmen serves patients in Norman, OK, as well as the surrounding communities of Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.

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Protect your Kids’ Teeth with Children’s Dentistry in Norman, OK

February 15, 2015

Filed under: Children's Dentistry,dr. bobby carmen,Uncategorized — Tags: Central Oklahoma, children's dentist Norman, children's dentistry, dr. bobby carmen, dr. bobby j. carmen, dr. carmen, Moore, Norman, Norman dentist, University of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma dentistry — dr_carmen @ 9:37 pm

122406213 There are so many things parents do to protect their children: buckle them into car seats, vaccinate them from childhood diseases, hold their hands when crossing the street, and the list goes on. One more important measure parents can take is regular visits to the dentist. Children’s dentistry is a vital component of maintaining your children’s oral health, as well as their general health. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen in Norman, OK, provides the gentle care children need in order to help them build a strong foundation for a lifetime of dental care.

Actually, children’s dentistry begins even before your child visits Dr. Carmen, and it begins with you, the parent. The time to start cleaning your child’s teeth is when that first baby tooth appears. Just moisten a soft cloth with warm water and gently wipe baby teeth after each feeding. Then, when your children celebrate their first birthdays, you can bring them to see Dr. Carmen for a consult. We’ll go over their proper dental care with you and check for any dental concerns.

Children’s Dentistry Means Regular Checkups

Beginning around the time your children are three-years-old, you should begin scheduling their regular dental checkups every six months. As we do when you visit Dr. Carmen for a checkup, we’ll clean your children’s teeth and we’ll examine their gums and check their teeth for decay, because children are not immune to gum disease and cavities. If Dr. Carmen finds a cavity, he will likely recommend a tooth-colored filling.

Beyond the Cleaning

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are particularly important for your children’s dental health. Fluoride strengthens enamel, which is the first line of defense against decay-causing bacteria. And while fluoride is added to drinking water and toothpaste, a fluoride rinse from the dentist provides a necessary boost. Likewise, dental sealants offer an additional boost. Sealants are “painted” on to your children’s deeply grooved molars and harden to form an added layer of protection against decay.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If your child needs to see the dentist, then call Dr. Bobby Carmen today for outstanding children’s dentistry in Norman, OK. We also serve children and adults from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.

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