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How Do You Treat TMJ?

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Do you need relief from TMJ pain? With skilled evaluation and diagnosis, your dentist can help you get the relief you need from pain, teeth grinding, and more. 

What is Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome?

Temporomandibular joint syndrome or TMJ refers to the pain in your jaw muscles and joints.The TMJ in the front of your head connects your lower jaw to the rest of your skull. So, whenever you open or close your mouth, the joints are working – just as a sliding hinge would work. 

But if you’re experiencing TMJ pain, you may find that simply opening and closing your mouth can hurt. In fact, TMJ can cause additional disruptions to your health, from interrupted sleep to difficulty with your regular daily activities, too.

What is the Cause of TMJ Pain?

TMJ pain can be caused by a variety of different reasons. But, the most common are:

  • Serious injury to jaw or teeth
  • Misalignment of your jaw
  • Misalignment of your teeth
  • Excessive teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw, also called bruxism
  • Chronic stress leading to grinding or clenching
  • Frequent gum chewing

Any of these can cause pain and other problems with the jaw joint.

Although you use your temporomandibular joints or TMJ whenever you open or close your mouths, it’s unlikely that you think about them at all, or how they work, until they start to cause you pain. Once that pain starts, it can be resolved with experienced dental intervention.

Different Types of TMJ Pain

There are several types of TMJ pain, and successful treatment starts with identifying them.

  • Myofascial pain  is the most common type – it results from teeth grinding and jaw clenching, originating in the muscles around the joints.
  • Internal joint derangement – usually caused by trauma to your face or jaw, internal issues may involve displaced disc or dislocated jaw.
  • Arthritis – Arthritis can also cause pain by attacking the TMJ. If this is the case, your dental team and your physician will collaborate on treatment. 

What Treatment is Available for TMJ Pain?

TMJ paint can usually be treated with a variety of tools for care. These include:

  • Applying cold compresses at home
  • Consuming soft foods if flare-ups occur
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers
  • A custom night guard created by your dental team to reduce stress on the TMJ, preventing teeth grinding and jaw clenching
  • Orthodontic treatment to correct bite issues
  • Oral surgery, if other treatments are unsuccessful

The skilled dental staff at Manhattan Dental Spa can recommend custom night guards or other treatment to prevent or correct issues.

Why is TMJ Pain Treatment Important?

It is important to treat TMJ pain, as it can worsen overtime, eventually requiring a surgical intervention. To prevent that outcome, receiving early proper treatment, like a simple custom night guard, can resolve the disorder and relieve pain.  

So, regardless of whether your TMJ pain is caused by jaw misalignment, bruxism, or for another reason, relieving pain now means you’ll have better oral health for years to come. 

Manhattan Dental Spa believes that every patient deserves the highest standard of dental care and provides dental treatment in the New York City area.

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Health

How Does Activated Carbon Water Filtration Work?

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Children picks up a glass of water from the tap.

Clean, safe drinking water is essential for health and well-being. With increasing concerns about water quality, many homeowners and health-conscious individuals are turning to effective filtration methods. One such method is the use of activated carbon for water filtration, a popular choice due to its effectiveness and affordability.

What is Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a form of carbon that has been processed to have small, low-volume pores. These pores increase the surface area available for adsorption, making activated carbon an excellent material for trapping impurities. It is available in several forms, including granular activated carbon (GAC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), and carbon block filters. Each form is tailored to different applications, with granular and carbon block filters being most common for residential water filtration systems.

The Adsorption Process

The magic of activated carbon lies in its adsorption capability. Adsorption is the process by which molecules adhere to the surface of the carbon. When water passes through an activated carbon filter, contaminants are trapped within the pores of the carbon, effectively removing them from the water. This process is highly effective for organic chemicals and chlorine, which are common in municipal water supplies.

Benefits of Activated Carbon Water Filtration

Activated carbon water filtration offers several benefits. It efficiently removes chlorine, which not only impacts taste but can also have adverse health effects with long-term exposure. Additionally, activated carbon filters remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful if consumed over time. By improving taste and odor, activated carbon ensures that your drinking water is not only safe but also pleasant to consume.

Choosing the Right Filter

Selecting the appropriate activated carbon filter depends on the water contaminants you wish to remove. It’s crucial to understand the quality of your water supply and choose a filter designed to tackle those specific impurities. For instance, granular activated carbon is typically used for removing chlorine and certain pesticides, while carbon block filters can handle a broader range of pollutants, including heavy metals and bacteria.

Comparison with Other Filtration Methods

Compared to other filtration methods, activated carbon stands out for its ability to effectively remove both organic and inorganic contaminants without the use of chemicals. While methods like reverse osmosis and distillation also provide clean water, they often require more energy and maintenance. Activated carbon is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.

Environmental and Health Impacts

Using activated carbon for water filtration has positive environmental and health impacts. It reduces the need for plastic water bottles, thus decreasing plastic waste and its associated carbon footprint. By ensuring access to clean water, activated carbon filtration supports overall health and wellness.

Maintenance Tips

To maintain the efficacy of your activated carbon filter, regular replacement is necessary. Depending on usage and water quality, filters should generally be replaced every six months. Keeping an eye on flow rate and taste can also help determine when a change is needed.

The Benefits of Activated Carbon Filtration for Safe and Clean Drinking Water

Activated carbon water filtration is a proven, effective method for ensuring safe, clean drinking water at home. Its ability to remove harmful contaminants while improving taste and odor makes it a preferred choice for many. For homeowners and environmental enthusiasts alike, investing in an activated carbon filtration system is a step toward healthier living.

About Puragen

Puragen is a leader in providing innovative solutions for water purification. Specializing in activated carbon technology, Puragen is dedicated to delivering the highest quality filtration products to ensure clean and safe water for homes and businesses. For more information, visit Puragen’s website.

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Clear Aligners for Adults: Achieving a Straight Smile at Any Age

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Teeth whitening. Woman with white smile holding Invisible teeth tray . Orthodontic silicone trainer. Invisible braces aligner.

Advancements in dental care make achieving a straight, beautiful smile more accessible than ever. Adults who want to enhance their smile should consider clear aligners in Chicago as an ideal solution. These modern orthodontic tools transform your teeth with ease while maintaining aesthetic appeal throughout the process. With the rising popularity of clear aligners for adults, many individuals have discovered the benefits of this innovative treatment.

Why Clear Aligners for Adults?

A perfect smile conveys confidence and openness. Many adults desire this enhancement but hesitate at the thought of traditional braces. Clear aligners tackle these concerns directly. They offer an effective solution without the inconvenience of metal brackets. Their virtual invisibility allows you to pursue orthodontic treatment without sacrificing your natural appearance.

Clear aligners provide comfort that traditional braces cannot match. These custom-made aligners fit snugly over your teeth, eliminating painful adjustments often associated with metal braces. Adults appreciate the convenience of removable aligners, which simplify brushing, flossing, and eating.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

When considering orthodontic treatment, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of both clear aligners and traditional braces. Clear aligners offer several advantages. They provide a nearly invisible treatment option that allows adults to maintain their professional and personal lives without self-consciousness. In contrast, traditional braces appear more conspicuous and may require dietary restrictions to prevent damaging the brackets and wires. Clear aligners remove these concerns, seamlessly integrating into your daily life.

Another key consideration is comfort. Crafting clear aligners from smooth plastic reduces the risk of irritation or injury inside the mouth. Traditional braces, however, may cause discomfort with their metal components.

The Aligner Process

The aligner process begins with an initial consultation. During this appointment, your orthodontist assesses your dental needs and goals. They take digital impressions to create a treatment plan tailored specifically for you. This detailed approach ensures you achieve precise and efficient results.

Advanced technology plays a crucial role in the aligner process. Orthodontists employ 3D imaging and computer modeling to design each set of aligners. These technologies provide a clear roadmap for your treatment and enable you to visualize the potential outcomes before even starting.

Once you begin using your aligners, you typically switch to a new set every one to two weeks. Each new aligner set adjusts teeth incrementally until you achieve the desired alignment. Regular check-ups with your orthodontist help track your progress and provide an opportunity for any necessary adjustments.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Some adults believe that clear aligners only suit mild cases of misalignment, but this is a misconception. Clear aligners effectively treat a wide range of dental issues, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even some complex cases. However, consulting a qualified orthodontist remains crucial to determine if they are the right choice for your specific needs.

Another common misunderstanding is that clear aligners require a longer treatment duration than traditional braces. While treatment time varies based on individual needs, many people find that clear aligners offer comparable or even shorter treatment periods due to the precise planning involved.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Perfect Smile

If you’re an adult living in Chicago and considering orthodontic treatment, clear aligners offer a discreet, comfortable, and efficient path to achieving your dream smile. Don’t wait another day to boost your confidence and transform your appearance. Schedule a personalized consultation to explore how clear aligners can meet your specific needs.

About Aligner Experts

Aligner Experts specialize in providing top-tier orthodontic solutions to help patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. They utilize cutting-edge technology and personalized treatment plans for optimal results. Visit Aligner Experts to learn more about their services and book your consultation today.

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How Dript Helps You Control Your Hydration

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Many older folks entering a nursing home struggle with maintaining proper hydration. But dehydration can be a serious risk factor if experienced for a prolonged period. In fact, patients taken to the hospital from a nursing home are 10x more likely to be dehydrated than from their own homes. While dehydration in nursing homes seems like a simple problem, the solution is not quite as straightforward.

Hydration is not the exact same as water intake to the body. It is actually defined as the water intake into the cells, which requires electrolytes. Sometimes, these nursing home patients aren’t receiving the proper vitamins and nutrients, whether it be from gaps in diet or underlying health conditions. In these cases, no amount of water through oral consumption can fix dehydration.

The resulting fatigue, cognitive impairment, and worsened mood can only be fixed by balancing electrolytes with fluids.Fortunately, Dript IV Therapy enables consumers to do just that. The IV solution aims to provide vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and several forms of vitamin B in order to enable cells to properly intake water. This blend even has cognitive, immune system, and skin healing benefits in addition to the hydration. Regardless of how long you’ve been a nursing home resident, taking advantage of Dript can let you take control of your hydration.

Nursing Homes Have a Dehydration Problem. Here’s How to Fix It.
Source: DriptIV.com
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