The Role of Posture in TMJ Disorders
The Hidden Link Between Your Spine and Your Jaw When patients walk into my office complaining of jaw pain, they are often surprised when I ask them to stand up and turn to the side so I can look at their spine. They point to their jaw, but I am looking at their shoulders and […]
How Stress in Beverly Hills Affects Your Jaw
Living and working here in the heart of Los Angeles, I see firsthand how the Beverly Hills lifestyle is truly unique. We live in a city known for its glamour, high-powered careers, and stunning aesthetics. However, with high stakes often comes high pressure. Whether you are navigating traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard, preparing for a […]
Holistic Approaches to Treating TMJ Pain
As a dentist who has spent years helping patients find relief from pain, I know that few things are as frustrating as a jaw that just won’t cooperate. You wake up with a headache, your jaw clicks when you chew, or you feel a constant tightness in your face. If you are reading this, you […]
Sleep Apnea Symptoms Women Often Ignore
When I talk to my patients about their health, sleep often comes up. But there is a specific conversation I find myself having over and over again, particularly with my female patients. They come to me feeling exhausted, foggy, and frustrated. Many have seen other doctors and were told they are simply stressed or depressed. […]
Causes of Jaw Popping and Clicking
Have you ever opened your mouth to yawn or take a big bite of a burger, only to hear a loud click? It can be a surprising and sometimes alarming sound. As a dental professional, I hear this concern from patients in my office almost every week. They sit in the chair and ask, “Dr. […]
Custom Night Guards vs. Over-the-Counter: What’s Best?
As a dentist, one of the most common complaints I hear during morning appointments isn’t about cavities or crooked teeth. It is about jaw pain, headaches, and sensitive teeth. Patients sit in my chair and tell me they wake up feeling like they have gone twelve rounds in a boxing match. If this sounds familiar […]
The Link Between Migraines and Jaw Misalignment
If you have ever suffered from a debilitating headache, you know that it is more than just pain; it puts your entire life on pause. As a dentist, I see patients every day who come in for a routine check-up but end up telling me about their chronic headaches. They have tried everything—painkillers, dark rooms, […]
What is Orofacial Pain? A Specialist’s Guide
Have you ever woken up with a throbbing headache that feels like it’s coming from your teeth, even though your dentist said your cavities are all filled? Or perhaps you hear a clicking sound every time you chew a piece of gum? As a specialist in this field, I see patients every single day who […]
Botox for TMJ: Does It Really Work?
Is Botox for TMJ the Solution You’ve Been Waiting For? If you have ever woken up with a sore jaw, a pounding headache, or teeth that feel like they have been grinding against each other all night, you know exactly how debilitating TMJ disorder can be. As a dentist, I see patients almost every day […]
Why Your CPAP Might Not Be Fixing Your Sleep Apnea
You Are Using the Machine, So Why Are You Still Tired? I see it all the time in my practice. A patient walks in, looking exhausted, frustrated, and honestly, a little hopeless. They tell me, “Dr. Vafa, I did the sleep study. I got the diagnosis. I bought the CPAP machine. I wear the mask […]