Most patients know that they should get their teeth cleaned at least once a year. But, dental cleanings may not be enough to keep some patients’ mouths healthy and strong all year long. Indeed, they may need to explore other general dentistry treatments at our Dallas dental clinic to get the most out of their oral healthcare.
Drs. Mihir Patel and Shaun Sigurdson are proud to serve patients in Dallas, TX, and the surrounding areas. If you’re due for a cleaning or if you want to explore other beneficial treatments, then call Lakewood Dental Group today. We’ll happily help you get a brilliantly healthy smile for the rest of your life!
Getting started is easy–just call our Dallas dental clinic at (214) 827-1885 or reach our team online here. Not sure which treatments are right for you? Then, keep reading. In this post, our team tells you about three health-saving dental treatments to keep your smile looking and feeling its best!
1. Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition in which patients unconsciously clench and grind their teeth while they sleep. The condition most frequently affects children, with some sources stating that up to 40% of adolescents grind their teeth at night.
However, the incidence rate of bruxism greatly reduces as patients get older. In fact, experts find that only around 13% of adults continue to grind their teeth while they slumber.
But, even though many patients eventually grow out of bruxism, the initial damage can last a lifetime. And, indeed, it can trigger a chain reaction of declining oral health conditions that may eventually lead to oral dysfunction and tooth loss.
Therefore, it’s crucial that patients address bruxism as soon as possible. But, unfortunately, many patients are completely unaware that they have the condition.
So, how can patients address the issue if they don’t even know that they have it? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs.
Diagnosis and Treatment at Our Dallas Dental Clinic
There are some common (yet subtle!) signs and symptoms of bruxism to look out for, including:
- Increasing tooth sensitivity
- New dental damage, like chips and fractures
- Jaw pain, especially upon waking
- Frequent headaches and migraines
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Poor sleep quality
A detailed exam at our dental clinic in Dallas can help patients determine if they may be suffering from bruxism. And, once our team gives patients an official diagnosis, we can then help them get the health-saving treatments they need.
Bruxism treatments are relatively simple. For most patients, a custom-made, comfortable night guard can cushion the teeth and protect them from bruxism while they sleep.
Other patients, however, may wish to improve their dental alignments to get long-lasting relief from bruxism. For these patients, we may recommend Invisalign® treatments. The clear aligners can shift teeth into better alignment while also protecting them from the effects of bruxism.
2. Xerostomia
Xerostomia, most commonly known as dry mouth, is a condition in which the salivary glands underproduce saliva. For some patients, dry mouth is an occasional annoyance. For other patients, however, xerostomia is a debilitating condition that can lead to extensive dental disease and dysfunction.
The data is largely unclear, but experts believe that over 60% of the population may suffer from xerostomia. That’s a pretty staggering statistic! But, it begs the question: Why are so many people suffering from dry mouth? Well, the answer may not be as shocking as you think.
Diagnosis and Treatment at Our Dental Clinic in Dallas
Dry mouth can occur for several reasons, including:
- Dehydration
- Sleeping with the mouth open
- Breathing through the mouth during waking hours
- Health conditions, like thrush, diabetes, stroke, and autoimmune disorders
- Certain medications, like antihistamines and antidepressants
A visit to our dental clinic in Dallas can help patients pinpoint the exact cause of xerostomia. And, regardless of the cause, there are numerous ways that patients can address dry mouth, including:
- Increasing hydration
- Sucking on ice cubes or sugar-free cough drops
- Chewing on sugar-free gum
- Breathing through the nose
- Changing medications
- Using room humidifiers to increase moisture in living spaces
- Using over-the-counter artificial saliva (like XyliMelts®)
- Using prescriptions, like pilocarpine and cevimeline, to increase saliva production
3. Dental Emergencies
We know what you might be thinking: Wouldn’t I know that I need to visit a Dallas dental clinic if I’m having a dental emergency? And, in many cases, that is true. However, there are some sneaky dental emergencies that can fly under the radar until it is too late.
Therefore, it’s important for patients to pick up on even the most subtle signs of a dental emergency.
Diagnosis and Treatment at our Dallas Dental Clinic
Signs and symptoms of a dental emergency can include:
- Dull or sharp dental pain
- Bloody, red, and swollen gums
- Sudden bad breath
- Dental damage (even painless damage, like chips and fractures!)
- Dental decay (cavities)
- Loose dental restorations, like fillings or crowns
- Wiggly or avulsed (knocked-out) teeth
- Sores or bumps on the gums, tongue, cheeks, or roof of the mouth
Treatment for dental emergencies can range from restorative to cosmetic. But, one thing is for certain–patients must treat dental emergencies as quickly as possible. Otherwise, they may be sacrificing their oral health the longer they wait to receive treatment.
But, untreated dental emergencies don’t just influence patients’ oral health–it affects their overall health, too. Research indicates that oral health has a direct impact on an individual’s systemic health, and vice versa. This means that patients with prolonged oral health issues may be leaving themselves vulnerable to life-threatening systemic health conditions, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Hypertension
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Pregnancy complications
Subsequently, patients should seek help at our Dallas dental clinic as soon as they think they might have a dental emergency. Failure to get immediate treatment may lead to rapidly declining oral health that quickly burdens or destroys other bodily systems.
Schedule an Appointment at Our Dental Clinic in Dallas Today
Knowing which treatments you need to save your oral health isn’t always easy. So, let the experts at Lakewood Dental Group help.
Schedule your appointment at our Dallas dental clinic today by sending a secure message to our team here. Or, you may talk to our friendly team in person at (214) 827-1885 for more information and scheduling.
