Oral Health

SLEEP APNEA – Is it just snoring or . . . ?

2018-10-04T21:04:00-04:00Oral Health, Sleep Dentistry|

Do you find yourself snoring or waking up throughout the night?  Are you fatigued throughout the day? Do you have high blood pressure? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may have a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by the repeated collapsing of one’s airway during their sleep. These pauses in breathing can occur 5-30 times or more per hour for up to a minute each time. This not only prevents restful sleep, but can also be associated with high blood pressure, arrhythmia, stroke, and heart failure.

Sleep apnea can affect the heart and blood pressure due to oxygen levels in the blood dropping when breathing stops. The body responds by releasing epinephrine, which is a stress hormone. When this stress hormone remains high, it can cause high blood pressure and heart failure, increase the risk for strokes and cause heart arrhythmia.

Your dentist plays […]

Adjunctive Measures to Achieve Better Oral Health

2018-10-04T21:05:12-04:00General, Oral Health|

In dentistry, prevention is the key to a healthy mouth and overall healthy body. This is why it is important to visit the dentist every six months and brush and floss daily. However, sometimes patients struggle with periodontal disease or are more prone to getting tooth decay. Conventional methods of oral hygiene in these cases are just not sufficient to achieve optimal oral health. In these cases, dental professionals may suggest the use of adjunctive products to help keep the mouth healthy including:  Peridex rinse, Clinpro toothpaste or Enamelon toothgel.

Peridex rinse is an oral rinse classified as a topical antiseptic (0.12% chlorhexidine-digluconate). It is used to treat ginigivitis and periodontal disease by killing bacteria in the mouth and reducing inflammation and bleeding. Patients using Peridex rinse should use 15ml of solution for 30 seconds, swishing two times a day.

Clinpro toothpaste  is another product that can be used to help patients […]

Dental X-Rays . . . Do I Really Need Them?

2018-10-04T21:07:20-04:00General, Oral Health|

Dentists and dental hygienists rely on x-rays to diagnose decay, periodontal disease, abscesses, etc. They are necessary as a part of the standard of patient care since only approximately 1/3 of the tooth can be seen clinically. It is our duty as dental professionals to provide accurate and competent care which can be done through assessing the teeth not only clinically, but also radiographically. In majority of situations patients undergo intraoral digital radiographs or Panoramic radiographs, depending on the doctors assessment and need in specific situation. More advanced suspected pathology or more complex dental procedures might require 3D imaging such as cone beam CT.

How often x-rays should be taken is based on an individual’s oral health, age, caries and periodontal risk assessment, past history of decay/periodontal disease, or other signs and symptoms of oral disease and conditions. This means that dental X-rays are not a “One Size Fits All” category […]

Hygienist Tip : What Toothbrush is Best for Me?

2018-10-04T21:08:05-04:00Oral Health|

When you go to the store, there are so many options to choose from when looking for a new toothbrush. Some people have a steady favorite brand they like to use. Others are always on the lookout for a sale. Yet other people choose their brush based on how pretty it is and if the color is appealing.  All of these strategies will help you find a toothbrush, but it won’t guarantee that you are using the right one. So how do you know which one to pick?

Here are some tips from our hygienist Lauren to help you choose the right brush.

  1. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles: Medium and Hard bristled brushes can actually damage gum tissues, root surfaces and protective tooth enamel with vigorous brushing.
  2. Choose the right sized toothbrush head: Most dental professionals recommend a small sized toothbrush head. It will enable you to reach in the […]
Go to Top