Preventive Dentist, Natick, MA

July 13, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-186284986Did you ever play would you rather as a child? The point of the game is to offer a person two equally terrible activities, and see which of the two the person chooses. When it comes to caring for your teeth, would you rather stop problems before they start, or treat dental health issues after they’ve done damage? Most people wouldn’t even hesitate on this extremely simple round of “would you rather”: stopping problems before they start is the clear choice. Luckily for us, this doesn’t have to be only a game. The choice is truly yours. Preventive dental treatments from Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick, MA stop dental damage before it starts. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Dental Health Habits

The best way to ensure continued oral health, is to remember to visit our office twice a year, and brush twice a day. By committing to these two simple steps, you commit to lifelong oral health. It’s as easy at that. Humans are creatures of habit. Some habits we want to break like always eating a bag of chips in front of the tv after work, but others we work hard to establish and maintain. Eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and caring for our teeth building these habits help us to feel better, look great, and live a longer, happier life. At Papageorgiou Dental Associates, we’re here to help you achieve your oral health care goals.

Twice a Year

Every six months, we look forward to seeing your smiling face, and we hope visiting our office is something you look forward to. Our dedicated staff strives to make every visit comfortable and beneficial. Your consistent hygiene appointments support your at home dental health care routine so teeth stay clean and healthy. At your regular checkups one of our skilled dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth. We’ll look for tooth decay and other damage, but our doctors also screen for periodontal (gum) disease, bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth), TMJ disorder, and oral cancer. Because our team examines your bite every six months, we are able to spot irregularities quickly and determine if treatment is necessary. The more familiar our knowledgeable staff becomes with your oral health the better able we are to treat you, and best of all prevent many oral health issues from ever happening.

Twice a Day

Preventive dental care starts at home. Your regular checkups would do you little good, if you never brushed or flossed your teeth between visits. Establishing thorough, consistent home cleaning habits is essential to maintain oral health. Adult patients may benefit from re-examining their brushing habits to get the most out of their twice daily routine. One great method for brushing your teeth is referred to as the “Bass method” this style of brushing allows patients to maximize the benefits of their daily brushing. Here’s how you can use the Bass method:

  1. Always brush for at least 2 minutes using a toothpaste with 1000ppm to 1100ppm of fluoride
  2. Starting on the top, back teeth, placed your tooth brush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line
  3. Gently move your toothbrush back and forth along the gum line in a vibrational motion staying on the same set of teeth
  4. Count to ten
  5. Sweep your tooth brush quickly downward on the outside of the set of teeth you were cleaning
  6. Reposition on the next set of teeth and repeat for front and backs of top and bottom arches
  7. For the biting surface of teeth, use a quick back and forth motion to loosen matter, and a sweeping motion to remove it
  8. Don’t forget to gently brush the inside of the mouth and the tongue

Find out More

We want you to have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, and the best place to start is with your own teeth. Whatever your dental health care needs, Papageorgiou Dental Associates is here to help. Call to schedule an appointment at our convenient Natick, MA office. We welcome patients from surrounding areas including Ashland, Wayland, Newton, and Weston.

Eliminate Pain and Discomfort with TMJ Disorder Therapy from Dr. Papageorgiou in Natick, MA

February 17, 2015

166668743Do you have a TMJ disorder? Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders most commonly occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40, but may develop in anyone at any age. Your TMJ connects your lower jaw bone to your skull in front of each ear, and controls the facial muscles in charge of chewing. Problems with your TMJ can cause head and neck pain, facial pain, ear aches, headaches, locked jaw, bite problems, and jaw clicking or popping sounds. If you have persistent jaw pain, or if you can’t open or close your jaw comfortably, it’s time to take action. Make a TMJ disorder appointment with Papageorgiou Dental Associates today. Dr. Papageorgiou is the leading Natick TMJ disorder specialist. Papageorgiou Dental Associates delivers quality care daily throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and the surrounding communities.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Your TMJ acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. A TMJ disorder can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control your jaw movement. The exact cause of TMJ disorder development is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of problems, including arthritis or jaw injury, or bruxism (nightly teeth grinding).

Do You Have A TMJ Disorder?

If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, you should make an immediate appointment for a TMJ disorder examination:

  • Pain or tenderness of your jaw
  • Earaches
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Aching facial pain
  • Locking of the jaw

How Does Dr. Papageorgiou Treat TMJ Disorder?

Oral Appliance Therapy (Night Guards):  If you are suffering from TMJ disorder, you may benefit from wearing a custom oral appliance at night. The night guard fits securely over your upper and lower teeth, much like an athletic mouth guard. The oral appliance can help reduce clenching and teeth grinding, and ease muscle tension by relieving jaw joint stress and pressure.

Natick TMJ Disorder Therapy Appointments

To determine the presence of TMJ disorder, Dr. Papageorgiou will listen to and feel your jaw when you open and close your mouth, observe the range of motion in your jaw, and press gently on areas around your jaw to identify sites of pain and discomfort. Don’t go another day without seeking treatment for your TMJ disorder symptoms. Make an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today for the TMJ disorder therapy you need to restore your quality of life. Dr. Papageorgiou is a trusted family dentist, now proudly serving families throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and the neighboring areas.

Give Your Teeth a Break with TMJ Treatment in Natick, MA

February 21, 2013

In the dentist’s office, you’re probably used to hearing all about the common oral health problems that can affect your teeth, from cavities to gum disease to misalignments. But did you know that one of the most painful and frustrating oral conditions you can experience actually affects an area of the mouth you may have never even heard of before?

We’re talking about the temporomandibular joints, commonly referred to as TMJ. These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and they contain crucial elements such as blood vessels, nerves, and bone. However, whenever they’re even slightly misaligned, it can cause debilitating symptoms. Worse, TMJ disorder can often even negatively impact both your dental health and your overall wellbeing. Here at Papageorgiou Dental Associates, we’re committed to providing you with expert, personalized care that serves every part of your mouth, not just your pearly whites. That’s why we’re happy to provide various choices for TMJ therapy at our Natick, MA office.

How do I know if I’m suffering from TMJ disorder?

Here are some common symptoms that often indicate TMJ disorder:

  • Persistent pain in the face, neck, head, shoulders, or back
  • Constant, excessive headaches
  • Jaw joints that pop or click
  • Stiffness in the jaw
  • Constant problems with opening and closing the mouth when chewing
  • Ringing or pressure in the ears

If these sound familiar, please don’t hesitate to come in and see us so that we can inspect your jaw for signs of TMJ disorder. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou and her excellent team can provide you with a complete oral examination, a precise, thorough bite assessment, and then an in-depth discussion about the various kinds of TMJ therapy we can offer you. Your comfort is a top priority for us, so we want to make sure we agree with you on a solution that bests fits your individual needs and desires.

Don’t keep living in constant pain – let us relieve your joints with TMJ therapy and get you back to smiling sooner! Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.