If your jaw locks, you may find this an extremely worrisome symptom. While it’s certainly alarming when it happens, it’s not always a sign that you have a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ.)While TMJ problems are one of the most common causes of your jaw locking, other things can...
You may think that your child doesn’t need to see an orthodontist when they’re grade-school age — often, even before they’ve lost all their baby teeth. But seeking the opinion of a qualified orthodontist can prepare you for orthodontic work that your child may need. In some cases, children only...
Chronic headaches can have a serious negative impact on your quality of life. If your headaches are migraines — as is the case for 18% of women and 6% of men each year — you may even find them debilitating. You may not think that your headaches have much to...
If you feel constant pain in your jaw, or if you have frequent headaches, you may have a TMJ disorder. A disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a variety of symptoms, such as clicking in the jaw, aches in the head and neck, and difficulty chewing or speaking....
It’s estimated that 25 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which your airways become blocked while you sleep. The usual treatment for sleep apnea is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. However, an estimated 50% of...
If your teen needs braces, they may be dreading the thought of having a mouthful of metal. But, traditional metal braces aren’t the only option. In many cases, Invisalign® can be a great alternative. Invisalign is a system that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to shift the positions...
If you’re nervous — or even fearful — about seeing the dentist, you’re far from alone. In fact, 13-24% of people worldwide fear going to the dentist. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to make your experience more pleasant. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of...
It’s not uncommon to have headaches — even chronic headaches — and find little relief. Sometimes, even a visit to the doctor may not find the cause. If this sounds like you and you think you’ve run out of options, there's one place you may not have considered going to...
If you want your teeth straightened, you may envision wearing clear, plastic aligners, such as Invisalign®. While these aligners are certainly a popular method for straightening teeth, they’re not the only option. Furthermore, they may not be the ideal option, depending on your case. Traditional braces, which consist of metal...
After wearing braces or Invisalign® aligners, the last thing you want is to have your teeth move out of position. That’s where a retainer comes in. A retainer keeps your teeth in their new positions, so you can keep your beautiful new smile. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of...
Teeth grinding can damage your oral and overall health. Unfortunately, you may not even know you do it, especially if you grind your teeth while you sleep. The good news is there are certain clues that can indicate you may grind your teeth. And the solution is often as simple...
If you have braces and you’re traveling, you still need to practice good oral hygiene. Fortunately, taking care of them is easy if you follow a few simple guidelines. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults explains how you can take care of...
When everything you hear in the media is about newer alternatives to braces, such as Invisalign®, it can be easy to forget about traditional metal braces. You may even incorrectly assume that traditional braces are no longer a treatment option. However, traditional braces still have their role in orthodontic treatment,...
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint where your jaws come together. You have one on each side of your head, and if something is wrong in or around the joints, you can get pain in your jaws, facial muscles, neck, and even your head. It’s a common disorder,...
Headaches can be a major pain, especially if they occur frequently. If this sounds like you, there could be a source you may not have considered: dental problems. The fact is, dental problems can cause headaches. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults...
If you have sleep apnea, you may be surprised to learn that a highly trained orthodontist, such as Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults, can help you. This is because sleep apnea involves the structures of your mouth and how they interact with your airways,...
The novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, has changed many of the ways we live our daily lives. While this situation continues to unfold, we follow the guidance of the state government as to how and when our practice can operate. While you may know some basics about the virus, you...
Having straight teeth is more than just a cosmetic issue. Having teeth that are correctly aligned can also improve your health. And one of the best ways to straighten your teeth is with Invisalign®. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults discusses what...
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic problem that often goes undetected. Although it affects both children and adults, it’s often particularly difficult to recognize in children. Many childhood behavioral issues may actually be triggered by obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing problems, however, may not just be due to sinus problems or...
Orthodontic work, such as getting braces, is most often associated with young teens. And while getting orthodontic treatment at this time is fine, your child’s first visit to the orthodontist should be even earlier, so their future needs can be evaluated. Ideally, the best time to take your child for...
When you’re self-conscious about your smile, it can affect your confidence. Maybe you’ve always wished you could have gotten braces, but for whatever reason, you didn’t get them as a teenager, when it’s most common. You might have assumed that there was a window of opportunity to get braces, and...
Are you wondering if it’s too early or too late to be concerned about overcrowded or misaligned teeth? While most kids don’t get braces until they are between the ages of 12 and 14, children as young as 7 can benefit from a visit to a pediatric orthodontist if there...
There aren’t many chronic pain conditions that affect younger people more often than older folks, but the pain associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), called temporomandibular disorder (TMD), is one of them. If you’re a woman taking either birth control pills or supplemental estrogen, you’re even more likely to develop...
If your son or daughter is feeling anxious about their first trip to the dentist, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate their fears. At Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens and Adults in Bellevue, Washington, we love children and work hard to give them the best...
Are metal braces and wires keeping you from getting the smile of your dreams? If this is your case, you don’t have to put off your dream any longer. Invisalign® aligners can straighten your teeth without the hassle of brackets and wires. And to top if off, the aligners are...
Snoring is common and affects nearly half the population at some point during their lives. However, while you may find your bed partner’s snoring a nuisance, it can also be a sign of a more serious health condition known as sleep apnea. Our board-certified orthodontic specialist, Joseph Z. Yousefian, DMD,...
While braces almost seem like a rite of passage for adolescents and teenagers these days, many adults missed out on this early, corrective procedure. Recognizing that straight teeth not only lend to a better smile, but also help with overall oral health, adults are turning to braces in significant numbers....
A proper night’s sleep is essential to your health. And it’s not just how many hours you get; it’s about the quality. If you're not getting good sleep, your body can’t regenerate like it's designed to. Nighttime is when your cells repair and multiply. Your blood pressure and heart rate...
You’re used to blaming your headaches on allergies, blocked sinuses, illness, stress, food triggers, and countless other known causes. But if you’ve never considered dental issues as a possible culprit, maybe you should. Here at Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults, Dr. Joseph Yousefian specializes in getting to the...
Is my child too young for braces? Am I too old for orthodontic treatment? When is the best time to straighten your teeth? At Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults, we hear these questions all the time. Adolescence is an ideal time for many patients to get braces, but...