Oral Health | Reality Bites Dental

| ORAL HEALTH

Your oral health is more important than you might realize.
Excellent oral health is important to prevent a variety of dental and medical problems. Recent research has shown a relationship between certain oral conditions and medical conditions. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health. Call our office today.

Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects millions of Americans. It is a painless infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is the largest cause of tooth loss. Often, patients do not even know they have periodontal disease. Odor, bleeding gums, and loose teeth are all symptoms of gum disease. Like your skin, gums should not bleed with mild contact or brushing. Left untreated, gum disease can cause premature tooth loss and has been linked to several other serious health diseases.
Recent studies also suggest relationships between periodontal infection and heart disease, diabetes and increased incidence of pre-term, low-birth weight babies. Recent studies have even indicated a relationship between periodontal disease and pancreatic and oral cancers.

TMD/TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD) cause tenderness and pain in your jaw, face, and head and neck. These disorders occur as a result of problems with the temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge joint on each side of your head in front of your ears that connects the lower jawbone to your skull.

Possible causes of the disorder are:

Injury to the jaw, the joint or muscles of the head and neck such as from a heavy blow or whiplash
Grinding or clenching your teeth
Dislocation of the ball and socket
Arthritis in the TMJ
Stress
Chronic inflammation of the head and neck muscles

In some cases, you may experience chronic headaches and migraines by involuntary night-time teeth clenching. A night guard is a small, transparent device that is worn over your two front teeth while you sleep to prevent contact between the canines and molars. Night guards also protect your teeth from chronic wear and fractures. Continual wearing away of the tooth enamel can expose the sensitive inner layer of the tooth called the dentin. Severe wear can even result in changes in how the teeth naturally fit together. Certain causes may also affect your bite, which in turn may require corrective dental treatment. We can improve your bite by balancing the surfaces of your teeth, replacing missing teeth or replacing fillings or crowns.

MAINTAINING A STABLE BITE IS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR ORAL HEALTH AND ENSURES THAT YOUR TEETH WILL COME IN CONTACT IN THE MOST PAIN-FREE MANNER POSSIBLE.

Athletic Guards
Custom mouth guards are an excellent way to protect your teeth while playing sports. Unlike uncomfortable, bulky traditional boil and bite guards, our customized mouth guards offer a comfortable fit and superior protection. The American Dental Association estimates that over 2 million teeth are knocked out from sports related trauma, so our mouth guards can prevent serious injury and save you a lot of pain.