Tag: jaw

TMJ Pain Can Be Reduced and Treated

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Does your jaw hurt when you laugh or talk? If so, you could be experiencing TMD. To help you learn more about the joints in your smile, our dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick with Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is happy to provide you this article.

Temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ, is a strong joint in your jaw that is a concern among many adults. However, in recent cases, TMJ is also an increasing concern among teenagers too. TMJ is the most complex joint in the human body and is responsible for talking and chewing or the movement of your jaw. When there is a problem associated with your TMJ, this could lead to the development of the temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD.

There are factors that contribute to TMD such as injuries, improper dental alignment, bruxism, stress, chewing on hard substances, and other habitual behaviors. Signs you could be suffering from TMD include tender jaw muscles, pain when yawning or chewing, headaches, dislocation of the jaw, a locked or stiff jaw, clicking or popping sounds when you open your jaw, or pain in your joints. If you have any of these symptoms, please call us right away to begin treatment.

If you need help with your TMJ pain and need to be treated, then feel free to call 804-781-1919 to make an appointment with one of our specialists. We are happy to answer your questions and concerns pertaining to your TMJ.

Oral Cancer Screening: What You Should Know

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You know that it’s important for you to visit your dentist every six months if you’d like to keep your teeth healthy and strong—but do you know what actually happens during these treatments? Typically, we’ll clean your teeth thoroughly and inspect your pearly whites for signs of trouble—such as oral cancer. This cancer screening is very important, but do you know what it actually entails?

While you may think oral cancer is fairly rare, did you know that more than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with the issues each year? Fortunately, this disease can usually be treated successfully—but the odds of a successful treatment increase greatly if the problem is identified early. One part of recognizing this problem involves asking a number of questions. We may ask you about whether you smoke or drink and how regularly you do so.

Our team will look for white or red areas in your mouth or for unusual sores. We’ll also inspect your face and tongue for unusual bumps. Afterwards, we’ll examine your mouth, neck, and jaw. While this may seem unnecessary, our team can recognize bumps and abnormalities that can’t be found by touch alone. We may also feel inside your mouth, including your cheeks, and inspect your lymph nodes, lips, and the hinges of your jaw.

If you’re interested in learning more about an oral cancer screening, please feel free to contact Paul R. Stanovick, DDS at 804-781-1919. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you schedule an appointment with our dentist, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick. We’re excited to hear from you soon!

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19

Providing a safe environment for treatment and control for infectious disease is always a priority at Paul Stanovick DDS. Our expansive reception area and large outdoor deck provides space to easily support regulations surrounding social distancing. The treatment rooms provide an extra layer of protection as they are sanitized between each patient and provide clean air through air purifiers located in each room. You will see some changes during your next appointment as we have added precautions to protect patients and staff. You will be asked to enter the building with use of facial protection and asked to wear it until you are in the treatment room. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the whole building for your use. You may notice that our magazine and children’s books have been removed from the reception area as they are harder to disinfect. We have installed plexiglass around our front reception area for added distancing between front staff and patients waiting for appointments. Air purifiers have been placed in every operatory with two larger purifiers in the front and back of the office. We have provided face shields, lab jackets and barrier gowns for all clinical staff. Our hours of operation will still remain Monday -Friday 8am-5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment and the safety precautions we are taking here at the practice. If you would like to make an appointment you can give us a call or text 804.781.1919. Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your trust in us with taking care of your dental needs. Sincerely, Dr. Paul Stanovick, Dr. Brant Stanovick, and Staff.