JiaYLeeDDS

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Dr. Jia Y. Lee can help his patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD. Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw.  Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the servic

Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS encourages you to stick your tongue out in the mirror. If it looks pink, this means that it’s clean, your oral care routine is up to par, your breath is fresh, and your gums are healthy. If your tongue is white, this layer of biofilm is bacteria and food particles that trapped themselves under a thin layer of mucus. This layer can be removed with a toothbrush and a small dab of toothpaste, but for a more thorough cleaning, invest in a tongue scraper.   A tongue scraper is a tool that is usually made up of soft, flexible plastic, and gently peels the thin mucus-based layer of debris from the tongue. When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental health, pleas

If you’ve ever heard the phrase you are what you eat, Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS wants patients to know that this couldn’t be truer when it comes to dental health. Not only is tooth decay a result of poor oral care habits, it’s a result of a poor diet. This is because added sugars in the food and beverages we consume produce acids that attack tooth enamel. When these culprits aren’t adequately removed, a person may develop bad breath, periodontal disease, and cavities. Think of your mouth as you would the rest of your body. You want to feed your teeth and gums the proper nutrients to thrive. To prevent dental diseases, and protect your immune system in the process, choose food and beverage options that are low in sugar and added preservatives. Think before you eat, and when you feel like snacking, reach for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean sources of protein. Your mouth and quite possibly your waist will thank you. If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental heal

Teeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons, from dental disease to trauma, to wisdom teeth. Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS would like you to know that before he considers tooth extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore the tooth in question. To determine whether or not one requires extraction, Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS will need to assess the patient during a consultation. Surgical extraction may be necessary for these purposes. Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible. Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place. Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected. Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction. If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth extraction, please give us a call. To learn more about th