Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Soft Food Diet for TMJ/TMD

TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to a headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, our doctors can not only treat this condition, but they can recommend diet changes to alleviate symptoms.


By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ/TMD. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some ideal foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.


If you have further questions about TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Advantages of Invisalign Over Traditional Metal Braces

A straight smile can boost confidence and promote a healthy mouth. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we offer Invisalign for an effective and discreet way of straightening teeth. Invisalign has many advantages of traditional metal braces.


Invisalign is a teeth aligning system made of a series of clear, smooth, BPA-free plastic trays. The trays are completely customized to fit your teeth. Using a computer system, each tray will be created with minor adjustments so your teeth gradually shift into place. The length of each patient’s case will vary depending on the severity of their misalignments. The trays are switched out every two weeks and you will visit with us every four to five weeks to pick up your new trays and to make sure the process is going as planned. The Invisalign trays are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours per day. You can take them out to eat, brush, and floss, unlike with braces.


This also means that there are no restrictions on what you can eat with Invisalign, so you do not have to avoid crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Since you can brush and floss normally, there are no special supplies you need to purchase. The smooth plastic is also more comfortable than metal braces, so the calluses and irritated spots that braces cause are much less likely. The biggest reason patients like Invisalign over braces is the appearance. Invisalign is nearly invisible; no one can tell you are wearing your trays unless they are looking at your teeth close-up.


Straitening your teeth can bring about many positive changes in your life. To set up your Invisalign consultation, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Exercises to Relieve TMJ Pain and Stiffness

TMJ pain can cause your jaw to stiffen up and cause problems with eating, talking, and even smiling. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we are able to treat patients with TMJ pain. Read through some of these exercises that may help you and contact us about the other ways we can help.


There are several exercises that can help relax your jaw, relieve pain, and allow you more range of motion. Try out some of these for yourself. Remember to be gentle and if the exercises make the pain or stiffness worse, do not continue them.



  • To relieve tension, smile as big and wide as you can. Have your teeth open two inches and hold your smile for a few deep breaths. Relax your face. Do this exercise a few times until you feel your muscles start to relax.

  • To stretch a tight jaw, place your thumb under your chin with your mouth closed. As you open your mouth half way, apply pressure upward with your thumb. Do this ten times.

  • To improve how far you can open your mouth, do opening exercises twice daily. Gently open your mouth as far as you can a few times in the morning and a few times at night. If you do this every day, you will begin to see improvement over time.


TMJ pain can be frustrating, but there is help. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com