New dentist tool

Walking into a dental operating room, you can see all the tools they will use. The sight alone can be intimidating. All the shiny seel gleaming back at you, ready to poke and prod. Most of the time, we ordinary people do not even know what they are all for, but we can generally infer what their job is or find out when the surgeon sticks it in your mouth to work. My goal is to make a new tool for dental practices that will make working more convenient. I want my new tool to be an all-in-one for the little pencil-looking tools. This will make dental work more convenient and faster as the surgeon will not need to keep swapping their tools while working. 

This all in one will need to have two of the most used tools on it. The first most used tool is the plaque scraper. This tool is a short steel rod with curved pointy bits on the end. These sharp bits are what is used to get into the nooks and crannies to clean any build-up a toothbrush can not reach. This tool needs to be implemented in my new utensil because it is one of the more frequently used use by dentists. Paired with this tool is another important one called a mouth mirror. Its job is just as it sounds, to put a small mirror in your mouth so the surgeon can get behind your teeth without sticking their head in. 

My new tool will be able to swap heads and combine them if need be. What this means is it will look something like a pocket knife, just a bit bigger and with some mechanical functions. The plaque scrapers and mouth mirror will be able to come out of the pocket knife-like design to either attach to make one tool, thus giving the surgeon a free hand. They can also be used independently from one another as most dentists do right now, as that may be most comfortable for them. 

The mechanical functions of my new tool will include a button press to change the heads of the scraper. This is helpful because a lot of time, the dentist is getting up and down from their chair to swap sizes of the plaque scraper. The different sizes will be on independent buttons so the surgeon can memorize the button press required and make their output of cleaned teeth faster than usual. This function also saves the dentist from getting up and down all the time to swap heads or sizes.

This new tool I am trying to make will be revolutionary as it will cut times per patient in half. Not because the surgeon is being sloppy but because they do not have to get up to swap tools so often. The impact of having all the tools you will need in the palm of your hand is going to be amazing. The speed of dental surgeons will significantly increase along with their effectiveness. I hope that dental practitioners pick up on this once released as this tool is being made for them. With so many tools at their disposal, it is no wonder that sometimes they will grab the wrong one or the wrong size. It will be handy to have all of them in one place, the palm of their hand. 

Vacation and Keeping Your Mouth Safe

With 2021 finally being here it seems that even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still in play people are realizing it was more of a farce than a pandemic.  It has essentially shut down lots of the economy and really shut down the travel industry.  That has been hard on so many families moth mentally and because they lost their jobs.  The lack of travel has increased suicide rates, depression, and addiction.  The truth is also that the Airlines are running less than half the flights they were and people are simply not legally allowed to travel for a vacation in most states. It is slowly opening up and people are living a normal kind of life again with some stupid rules in place.

It is a major game-changer for the lifestyle of Americans in many locations who live under now totalitarianism rule.  But soon that will change.  Social distancing rules will still be in place, but most individuals will get back to their normal travel styles and vacations will be alive and kicking once again.  We are healthier people when we are free.  So one thing that gets overlooked on vacations is one of the key basic hygienic parts of living and that’s your teeth.  Our mouths are so important and this is something we usually forget.  It is an area that is simply neglected the most when people go on vacation.  So here are a few tips to make sure you are staying healthy and won’t find yourself with a toothache or having to rush to an emergency dentist when you get back home.  Because that is way to expensive to deal with.

It does all need to start with the basics and that is simply not to forget to bring your toothbrush.  It is simply a habit you need to make sure you have in place. Pack all of your bathroom supplies the day before you go or actually get excited about purchasing a new travel kit.  My family goes and gets a new set of travel toothbrushes and it is a fun ordeal.  The last time I got a Disney themed tooth brush and it was childlike and hilarious.  The best part of the travel toothbrushes has most come with a suction cup on the bottom.  Yes, it feels a bit childish, but it is actually very useful when staying at hotels or places that don’t have a toothbrush holder.  Let's be honest the toothbrush holders that go around the head of the brush are disgusting to use.  They simply make a mess and leave your travel bathroom bag wet and filled with white paste.  So go ahead get a travel brush and grab a high-quality travel toothpaste to go along with it.

 

It is important to take the time to think about eating healthy when you are out on vacation.  It is definitely ok, to set aside some meals for delicious treats, but don’t eat candy the entire car ride or airplane trip.  Also, make sure to brush your teeth after you do.  It’s a travel kit right so you can bring it with you and keep yourself safe.  Many people get super excited on vacation and leave hotel rooms early, and skip steps in their daily routine. Just don't forget to take the time to keep your mouth healthy this vacation. 

 

An Overview Of TMJ

The TMJ, also known as the temporomandibular joint, refers to a joint that connects the lower jaw to the upper skull. The TMJ has a unique structure due to the round protraction of the mandible. It is a disc-like structure called cartilage present between the two bones.

 

The ligaments originating from different parts of the neck and head hold three parts of the TMJ. This complex structure supports all of the movements of your jaws. These ligaments stay in place with the help of different muscles, which generally support functions of the lower jaw.

How does TMJ work?

There are two ways you can move your jaws. The first way is pretty much like a hinge that allows your mouth to open and close. The second way refers to the sliding motion that allows you to move your lower jaw from side to side and backward and forward. These movements allow you to eat and speak properly.

Problems that can happen to a TMJ

Any problem, such as a fracture, swelling, or soreness can limit the movement of your lower jaw, and cause the pain to radiate to the neck and head area. A fracture to the articular disc is a rare problem, but it can displace, causing extreme pain and swelling. TMJs develop arthritis quite rarely, but this problem, if it occurs, can be very hard to treat. You are going to need more than anti-inflammatory drugs to treat this issue. In most cases, the pain in the TMJ is temporary. You can treat this pain by using ice and then heat, as it relieves sore ligaments and muscles.

 

Grinding and clenching

In some cases, the real cause of pain in the TMJ is due to the teeth rather than TMJ and ligaments around it. For instance, the misalignment of teeth can result in the patient grinding their teeth, causing pressure on the TMJ. According to the American College of Prosthodontists mental stress due to work or personal reasons can result in an aggressive jaw activity, which can put an alarming amount of pressure on your jaws. You may want to talk with your dentist if you think that you have this problem.

Another reason for TMJ is clenching, which many patients exhibit while sleeping at night. Your doctor may recommend a plastic night guard to alleviate this problem.

Needing surgery no the TMJ

Dentists rarely suggest surgery to treat TMJ disorders, but it can be quite an effective solution if you opt for it. The dentist will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in some cases. The treatment involves imaging of joints to determine if surgery is an option.

Keeping TMJ in good health

The best way to keep your TMJ in good health is to visit your dentist regularly. The regular dental exam will help your dentist know if you are developing a TMJ disorder. The best way is to visit the dentist twice every year. It will help you prevent any issues that are developing. These dental visits will help you retain your smile for many years of your life.

Wise tips to increase your dental health

There is nothing more important than health in 2021.  Or is it there is nothing more important than complying with wearing a mask.  I am not sure these days since they are not actually linked.  But we all know how to take care of our oral health.  We have mostly been told since childhood to brush twice a day, and it's backed up by the American Dental Association.  The thing is that knowing is not the actual battle.  Doing is the key to good dental health.  The basics are easy and we all want to be protected from plaque and tartar buildup, not just for looks but for the long term health issues those can lead too.  But there are some other more interested and let's face it cool ways to help take care of our health.  So I want to go over just a few extra things we can all do to keep our dental hygiene in tip-top shape. 

Being basic is good.  There is nothing wrong with doing all the basics if they are the standard for actual health.  The next time you are working on your American Dental Association twice a day brushing, maybe add some baking soda.  Yes, the stuff you have been keeping in your pantry for years and barely use.  Don't be afraid to look outside the normal areas for health either. Baking soda is actually an effective way to remove plaque without damaging your enamel.  There are studies out there that have shown that adding baking soda along with your toothpaste can help fight plaque better than just normal toothpaste.  So if you don’t want to manually add it.

Try and find a toothpaste that already incorporates it into it. To me one of the coolest parts of Baking Soda is that it helps stop the demineralizing of your teeth.  Which means that it stops your teeth from breaking down and losing enamel. This process of demineralizing occurs when the bacteria in your mouth break down the carbohydrates in your food.  That breaking down of the carbohydrates actually causes the food to become more acidic which can cause the eroding of the enamel in your mouth.  So using baking soda to minimize that effect can keep your teeth healthy for a longer time.  Now some of the bacteria in your mouth are very good and you don’t want to eliminate all of those.  So baking soda has been shown to mostly attack only the bad bacteria which is hurting your teeth. 

There are always extremes and in some ways, the extreme is actually the cheap and easy way.  Another really cool thing that can help your dental hygiene is using oil in the best of ways.  This is a new concept to me, but it is the process of basic mouth washing with coconut oil.  You can take a tablespoon of coconut oil which warms and liquefies very quickly and then swish it around in your mouth like a normal mouthwash.  I cook with it all the time and it is a pretty awesome substance.  This has been shown to decrease plaque by up to 50%.  That is an incredible number and can really help your health.  A quick tip, since it is the oil you want to spit it out in the trash or a paper towel. So take that with a grain of salt and enjoy the cost savings. 

Using a Finger to Brush Your Teeth?

This has been something that has bothered me for a long time.  I really have alwas wondered if it was better to brush with your finger or simply not to brush at all.  We have all grown up with stories from our families about different sides to the situation.  I know mine always said that your finger was worse than all the bad stuff in your mouth.  But is this true?  I am sure it really isnt.  So I got a real-life chance to figure it out because last weekend my wife and I went on a quick outing to visit my in-laws.  It is always fun to go and visit them. cIt was a great trip if I must say so myself.  We packed up all the things we needed and made sure we had the correct toiletries as well.  One of the more important things that I am sure to bring is my toothbrush.  Honestly, I usually pick up a travel toothbrush that has suction cups on the bottom.  It sure makes pulling it out and being able to put it down on a stranger's sink much more comfortable.  The convenience of simply smacking it down and having the bristles not touch the sink is a great relief.  I am sure we have all experienced the hotel toothbrush blunder and never trusted if that toothbrush was safe again.  That is literally my worst nightmare is brushing with a nasty brush. 

Generally, I am a fast packer and so is my wife.  We simply know that we can survive with a small amount so we pack quickly.  This time arrived at our in-laws with all the necessary things we needed and began to have a great weekend.  First, we simply said our hellos and then went right to unpacking.  We got our toiletries set up and clothes put away.  Then it was off to have some fun.  Basketball was on the list since it was finally warm enough to enjoy the outdoors.  It was possibly not the best idea since I got a bit sweaty and we still had other plans for the afternoon.  I didn’t have time to get a shower so I went off to a day hike a little bit sweaty.

We found a new park to visit which was completely surprising that no one had been to it yet.  It was located about ten minutes from their home and was a new experience.  The trail we went on led down a ravine to a nice river.  It was a great hike even though I somehow got a staple implanted in my shoe.  I noticed the pain and was able to pry it out with my pocket knife.  Sure it's nice to have one of those. The hike was great and the weekend lovely, but we made a big mistake on the way home. 

This was a sad time because we left our toiletries at our in-law's house.  So when we got home that night we had no toothbrush. It really is a bad feeling to have bad breath and my wife and I had the conversation about brushing with toothpaste and no brush.  I had remembered it was bad to do so aka brush with your finger.  After looking it up, and much to my dismay I was wrong.  Just know that your mouth needs protection and the stuff on your finger after washing is not nearly as bad as doing nothing.