What is gum disease? Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an unfortunately common problem, especially among mature adults. It is considered a chronic inflammatory condition, induced by a bacterial infection. It invades the gingival tissue, causing it to separate from the tooth root surface, creating pockets. If the disease progresses these pockets deepen and the bone tissue is eventually effected. The erosion of bone around the teeth causes them to become loose and, without treatment, eventually fall out. How it impacts your life Gum disease has long been known to cause bone deterioration and the loss of natural teeth. … Read Full Article
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions. In fact, many people do not even know that they suffer from it. This sleep disorder causes individuals to actually stop breathing for a moment, many times during their sleep. While it may be hard for the sufferer to detect, a sleep study makes it easy for a doctor to diagnose. The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, coined OSA, is the most common type. This sleep disorder is caused by an obstruction in the airway – when the … Read Full Article
All of your natural teeth are at risk for developing dental caries, otherwise known as cavities or tooth decay. Because of the very nature of our teeth, acids and bacteria can eat away at the enamel, damaging them from the outside. Tooth decay can lead to a number of issues including periodontal disease, a serious condition that results in the loss of jawbone and teeth and can actually affect the health of your entire body. It is simply not a risk worth taking. That’s why many people consider dental sealants to protect and preserve their teeth. Dental sealants are typically … Read Full Article
You have probably heard of fluoride toothpaste, but may have wondered exactly what it is and why we need fluoride. This answer can be somewhat complex, especially since fluoride exists in other items such as food and water. It is essential to understand that fluoride is a natural product. It is a mineral found within the earth’s crust. Modern man discovered that it helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. This breakthrough prompted many developed countries to treat public water supplies with fluoride. It is a natural, harmless mineral embodying a number of benefits, including the way it integrates with teeth … Read Full Article
Snoring is not the same as sleep apnea. In fact, snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. However, it’s also possible for a person to snore but have a very normal sleeping experience. Normally, a sleep apnea patient is a very loud snorer who can disturb other people’s sleep with their snoring sounds. Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disturbance where a person may be unable to attain deep sleep due to certain breathing interruptions. When such a patient falls asleep, the tongue can drop back and obstruct the airway, causing difficulties in breathing. Moreover, if a patient has large … Read Full Article
While it may not be an obvious problem for the sleeper, snoring is often very disturbing for a sleep partner. This situation can be caused due to many reasons. Primarily, snoring can be caused due to the obstruction in the airway of a patient while he or she is asleep. During sleep, a person’s jaw often goes into a relaxed mode, making it to drop back and as a result, closing off the throat. However, there is a typical profile of an individual that is more prone to snoring than other types of people. Specifically, people who are overweight can … Read Full Article
Sleep apnea is a severe sleeping disorder where the patient may or may not be aware of it. It is a condition where a person is unable to attain deep sleep because his or her sleep is interrupted in short intervals. A patient suffering from sleep apnea may experience pauses in breathing while asleep. He or she will find it hard to breathe for almost ten seconds at a time when oxygen levels to the brain are obstructed. At this point the patient moves from deep sleep and is partially awakened, gasping for breath. This is primarily due to the … Read Full Article
Most of us dread the thought of going through a routine dental exam. But you may not know that your mouth can show symptoms of some of the most serious of diseases. In a periodic dental exam, a dentist examines more than just your teeth and gums. In fact, he may examine your throat, tonsils, palate, breath, and tongue as well. If you put yourself through a comprehensive oral exam, there’s a possibility that the dentist might discover signs and symptoms of various diseases and illnesses. For example, abnormal growth can be an indication of oral cancer while an acetone … Read Full Article
Our mouths and the surfaces of our teeth are home to billions and billions of bacterial guests. While some of them are the reason behind periodontal disease, tooth decay and bad breath, the rest offer a variety of benefits to maintain the health of our mouth. Some of the beneficial microorganisms in the mouth help us in fighting against tooth and gum disease as well as digesting the food we eat. If you want to know the ropes of correctly maintaining the right amounts of bacteria in your mouth, consult Dr. Mark Cruz today. He will show you the way … Read Full Article
A rubber dam is a safe and simple dental tool which is introduced to dentists when they are in dental school. In reality, it’s a stretchable piece of rubber which helps a dentist to isolate the teeth he or she is working on. When used in the proper manner, it helps to improve infection control, patient comfort and doctor efficiency. In effect, you will not be swallowing any bacteria and debris as a result of the rubber dam. Dentists who use rubber dams start by carving out appropriate holes in it to fit the size and shape of the affected … Read Full Article
