Sleep Apnea and TMJ Connection

Did you know that headaches and snoring could be related? Did you know your dentist could help with both problems? The doctors of Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie have experience treating a variety of oral health problems. One of their skills is fabricating custom-fitted night guards to protect patients from sleep apnea and bruxism.

Obstructive sleep apnea is what happens when a person’s airways become clogged when they lie down. This is what causes snoring. In an attempt to keep the airways open, the body moves the jaw around, which puts pressure on the teeth and jaw joint. The joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull is technically called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and it’s one of the most complex in the body. When it is under strain, people can suffer symptoms ranging from headaches and ringing in their ears to shoulder pain and difficulty opening their mouths. They are also likely to suffer pain in their teeth, which are being worn down and, in the worst cases, might crack.

A custom fitted night guard helps solves all these problems by keeping the teeth of the upper and lower jaw from coming into contact with each other at night. The airways are less likely to be obstructed, removing the need to move the jaw, and the teeth aren’t being directly worn down.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.

 

White Spot Lesions

If you notice white discoloration on your teeth, that’s a bad sign. White spot lesions, also known as incipient lesions, are the beginning of tooth decay. At Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie, we want our patients to understand how white spots are formed so they’ll know how seriously to take them.

As bacteria eats food debris, it produces acid. The acid becomes stuck to the patient’s teeth and begins to wear away at the enamel. As its minerals are eroded, enamel takes on a glazed white appearance. This can also be seen on the back teeth of people with acid reflux, where stomach acid has worn away the teeth. As decay progresses, cavities will form in the teeth and the acid will get closer to the nerves, resulting in pain.

Fluoride treatments can help fortify teeth against acid, but regular brushing is required to deprive bacteria of a food source. They are most likely to accumulate near the gum line, in between teeth, and around orthodontic brackets. People should be especially vigilant about these areas because a white spot can form in as few as thirty days. If one does form and the decay is arrested, it may be possible for the tooth to undergo mineralization therapy or for the scar to be concealed with a veneer.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.

 

Digital X-rays

At Bear Creek Dental, we utilize the latest equipment in dental technology such as digital X-rays. Digital X-rays emit low amounts of radiation which protects patients from harmful exposure because they use 90 percent less radiation than film X-rays. X-rays are an important part of a patient’s dental visit, so it’s important that we provide our patients with the best.  

Here at Bear Creek Dental, we will review your history, examine your mouth and then decide whether or not you need X-rays. Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping our doctors detect damage and disease not visible during a routine dental exam. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. For example, children may require X-rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.

If you have questions or concerns regarding digital X-rays or dental technology, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Diabetes and Dental Health

People who have poorly controlled diabetes are at a greater risk for developing dental problems. A patient with diabetes is more likely to have infections of the gums and bones that hold teeth together than those who don’t have the condition. Diabetes can cause a person to have a lack of saliva flow in the mouth, cavities, and periodontal disease. If you have diabetes and are due for a dental appointment, contact one of our doctors at Bear Creek Dental.

If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. In addition, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, having a dental checkup every six months and especially by informing your dentist that you have diabetes.

If you have questions or concerns regarding diabetic oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.