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Regular dentist appointments are vital to maintaining optimal dental health, but nothing can take the place of everyday dental care. In fact, the most powerful tools in the arsenal to prevent tooth decay and gum disease are your own toothbrush and dental floss.

Regular brushing removes bits of food that remain on your teeth when you eat. These bits of food collect bacteria, which develop into plaque. The bacteria produce acid that eats through the surface of the teeth, creating cavities. Daily brushing greatly reduces the growth of plaque, thus reducing the development of cavities.

In addition, brushing your teeth stimulates your gums, helping to prevent gum disease. Flossing also stimulates the gums, as well as removing bits of food and plaque that your toothbrush can't quite reach.

It's important not only to brush and floss every day, but to use the correct technique. If you're unsure about how to properly brush and floss, Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro would be happy to demonstrate proper technique. They can also help ensure you're using the right kind of toothbrush. If you use a toothbrush that's too soft, it won't keep your teeth clean enough. But if your toothbrush is too stiff, it can actually damage your tooth enamel.

In the Mesa, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, Arizona area, Dr. Scott LeSueur and Dr. Charles Dodaro provide general, cosmetic, and neuromuscular dentistry. For questions about everyday dental hygiene, as well as any other dental concerns, please contact our Mesa, Arizona offices.

Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that addresses the proper alignment of the jawbone and how it affects the nerves and muscles in the face. Neuromuscular dentistry looks at all the aspects of the teeth, jaw, nerves, and muscles and how they relate to each other. By contrast, general dentistry addresses the health of the teeth and gums alone, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of the teeth.

A major focus of neuromuscular dentistry is temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. TMD involves a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint, the joint where the lower jaw attaches to the upper jaw. TMD has been notoriously difficult to diagnose and to treat, but technological developments in both diagnosis and treatment have brought relief to many TMD sufferers.

Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro, both trained neuromuscular dentists, will relax your jaw completely to determine how it should be properly aligned. Then they’ll recommend a course of treatment for TMD that can incorporate elements of general and cosmetic dentistry. Depending on how your bite needs to be realigned, you might need veneers, crowns, orthotic appliances, or even traditional orthodontic treatment.

Because Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro are trained in general, cosmetic, and neuromuscular dentistry, they can give you a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for TMD. For more information about neuromuscular dentistry in the Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona area, please contact Dr. LeSueur and Dr. Dodaro for an initial consultation.