Smile 312 Chicago's Premier Dentist

Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

September 10, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 2:18 am

Older man laughing while sitting in a chairIf you missed your chance for braces as a teen or your teeth have moved over the years, there’s good news. You are never too old for Invisalign! You can benefit from clear aligners to fix your bite and alignment issues. However, there are a few things you should know if you’re an older adult. Here’s how you can achieve a straight smile with no brackets or wires.

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5 Important Questions to Ask at Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

August 15, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 3:55 pm
A dentist showing a patient a model of a set of teeth during a consultation.

Even if you’re ready to begin the process of improving your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, you may still have a lot of questions for your dentist. Your consultation is the perfect opportunity to get answers to any queries you may have about your upcoming procedure. Here are a few important things to ask before you sign on the dotted line!

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7 Foods That Can Chip Your Teeth

July 18, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 2:27 pm
A woman in sunglasses biting into corn on the cob.

Our teeth are durable, powerful little tools that can chew a wide variety of delicious, nutritious foods. Unfortunately, however, there are some foods that are a bit more difficult to break down than others, and though tasty, can sometimes wreak havoc on them. If you’re concerned about tooth damage, here are a few foods that you should avoid.

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Tingling Teeth: Does Tooth Sensitivity Count as a Dental Emergency?

June 13, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 11:46 pm
Lady has sensitive teeth

Dental sensitivity can be surprising, uncomfortable, and annoying, but does it count as an emergency? Depending on its severity and what causes it, your teeth experiencing a tingling sensation or an irksome twinge in response to stimuli may be an easy problem to solve at home or require an immediate visit to your dentist’s office for treatment. Here are a few of the causes of sensitive teeth and how to tell if you should contact your dentist for an emergency appointment.

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Extension Emergency: Who Can Help If My Face Is Swollen?

May 2, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 2:59 pm
Nose-to-chin 3/4 profile view of a woman holding 4 fingers to her aching cheek

Are you experiencing sudden facial aches or swelling? It’s only natural to be concerned if your jaw or cheeks inflate painfully. You’re probably wondering what’s causing it and who you should contact. Is it an emergency? And if it is, should you reach out to your dentist or your doctor?

Although there are many potential causes behind your recent distension, there’s a good chance that it points to an underlying dental issue. Continue reading to learn about 3 possible reasons for your inflammation and who can help!

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Can TMJ Dysfunction Cause Migraines?

April 4, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 11:40 pm
person experiencing migraine headache due to TMJ disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a vital role in jaw movement, allowing for actions like biting, chewing, and speaking. While many people don’t think much about these movements until they experience jaw pain, it’s worth noting that migraines might be related to TMJ disorder. The good news is that neither migraines nor TMJ dysfunction have to be chronic problems you just put up with. Read on to learn more about the connection between migraines and TMJ dysfunction.

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Jaded Jaws: Does Chewing Gum Cause TMD?

March 4, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 9:25 pm
Nose to chin view of woman folding a piece of gum into her mouth

If you’ve developed a stiff or locked jaw, there’s a chance that you’ve developed TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) which occurs when the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull becomes irritated or inflamed. While there are several potential causes, chronic gum chewing could be contributing to the problem. If you like to freshen your breath this way, you might want to consider changing your habits. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between chewing gum and mouth pain, and what you can do to address it!

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Can TMJ Disorder Affect Your Speech?

February 14, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drmahler @ 4:26 pm
Two women having conversation in office setting

Whether you are engaging in small talk with your family, making presentations in your office, or simply chatting with strangers in the grocery store, your speech is important! Sadly, millions of people are afflicted by a condition that can have negative effects on their ability to verbally communicate: TMJ disorder. How exactly could TMJ disorder affect your speech? This blog post explains what you should know. It also provides tips on how you can find relief and reclaim your ability to speak with ease.

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