Sleep Apnea & Snoring Disorder Dental Treatment

Restful Sleep is Healthful
It is important to have sufficient, restful sleep each and every night. Just as essential as food, air, and water, sleep allows your brain and body to revitalize for another day of activity. Throughout the day, your heart will take on the effect of daily stress. When you rest properly at night, your heart can decompress and release the stress it has gathered. Lack of sleep will place a burden on your heart with the accumulation of excessive strain on the muscle. Cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes have been connected to a regular lack of sleep. You can also help to curb other illnesses such as hypertension, obesity, memory loss, and diabetes by having restful, nightly sleep. It can even slow down age-related health problems!

Snoring Can Be Related to Serious Health Conditions
Snoring may not be just an annoyance. It often indicates a more severe health condition called sleep apnea. This problem centers on the obstruction of the airflow into and out of the lungs. More often than not, people are not aware they have this problem. Not receiving sufficient oxygen throughout the night can contribute to heart disease and strokes by increasing and sustaining high blood pressure and often resulting in premature death.

There are other negative effects from sleep deprivation. Lowered brain functioning and an increase in the release of stress hormones can cause depression. An easy solution to the problem is the use of an oral appliance that keeps the airway open and stops incessant snoring. Please ask us how we can help you and your partner get a sound sleep each night.

A New Approach in Eliminating Sleep Apnea
The traditional method for treating sleep apnea is use of the CPAP device, which stands for Continuous Positive Air Pressure. It is a machine that pumps air continually though a mask and into a person’s lungs, preventing breathing disruption. Although it provides the necessary flow of air, many patients find wearing a mask during sleep very frustrating and stop using the CPAP.

If you have gone through this annoyance and have set this device aside, we can provide an alternative that remedies the problem in a more comfortable, natural way. With a small acrylic oral appliance such as the SomnoDent™, we can realign your jaw and tongue to keep your air passage open while you sleep. Dr. Bach custom makes the device to fit your upper and lower teeth, similar to a retainer. Results have been very positive, and this device is comfortable to wear, easy to put in, take out, and clean, and convenient to take along when traveling. This makes it easy for you and your partner to get a good night’s rest for a smile in the morning.

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Good Food for Dental Health: Water

Water Rules
Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. As of 2012, nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 6

I have diabetes. Will I get gum disease
Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects your body's ability to process sugar. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can also lower your resistance to infection and can slow the healing process. If you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing some oral health problems, including gum disease, so it's important that you are extra diligent with your oral health.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Tartar

Tartar is a deposit that forms when plaque hardens on the tooth. Individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility to tartar buildup. For many, these deposits build up faster with age. Tartar is easily noticeable because of its yellow or brown color on teeth.

What Causes Tartar Buildup

When plaque accumulates and is not removed from teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar. Because tartar buildup bonds strongly to enamel, it can only be removed by a dental professional.

Help Prevent Tartar Buildup

While tartar can only be removed by a dental professional, you can avoid tartar buildup by removing plaque. To help prevent tartar, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably with a tartar-control fluoride toothpaste like many from Crest, and floss once a day with a product like GlideÆ. And visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Good Food for Dental Health: Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and Veggies Pack an Extra Punch
Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 5

Bad breath can be an indicator of gum disease 
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth can be an indicator of gum disease and other oral diseases so it is important that you uncover what’s causing the problem. If constantly have bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems as your bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care physician.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Good Food for Dental Health: Nuts

Nourishing Nuts
Nuts contain protein which help strengthen and protect your teeth. Also, chewing helps to stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans your mouth. Remember: Not only is a balanced, nutritious diet essential to healthy living, your eating patterns and food choices play an important role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. You may eat with your eyes first, but your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 4

Bleeding gums during pregnancy is normal
While it’s true that some women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” it’s not true that everyone experiences this. You can help prevent this condition by taking extra care during your brushing and flossing routine. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent this.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

What are the Stages of Gum Disease?

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:

• Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.
• Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
• Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.

Read the rest of the article at Colgate.com to learn more about how to know if you have gum disease and how gum disease is treated. 

 

The above article is from: Colgate.com

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Mini Dental Impalnts Dentist

An Alternative to Standard Implants
You may want the security of dental implants, but have been advised you are not a candidate for them due to lack of bone density in your dental arch. You will be pleased to learn of a recent breakthrough that will allow you the security and stability of implants. With mini implants, you will stop the movement of dentures and eliminate the problem of trapped food. In just one appointment, you can have this type of implant in a painless procedure. And amazingly, on the same day you can go home and eat whatever you like. There is no waiting time for the surrounding bone to heal. Ask us about mini implants and how they will keep you smiling.


Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com