Park City Dental Spa

Teeth grinding is clinically referred to as Bruxism.  This is the act of consciously or unconsciously clenching/grinding your teeth, especially at night while you are sleeping.  Bruxism could disrupt your sleep as well as your companions.

For all intensive purposes, almost everybody clenches his or her teeth. The problem lies in the intensity at which you clench.  Severe bruxism can generate an incredible amount of force, causing damage to the teeth and surrounding muscles.

The cause of bruxism is not completely understood, however, it typically is related to stress and/or mal-alignment of the teeth. In any case, it is important that this health condition not be ignored.

The forces of bruxism have been known to cause:

• A wearing down of the teeth, making the teeth appear shorter and more flat.  The teeth are also at a greater risk of being broken.
• Small fractures occur in the teeth and eventually cause the teeth to break. These teeth may require a root canal.
• Sensitivity is a common result of bruxism usually resulting in a soreness and/or cold sensitivity.
• Receding gums are the result of the tooth flexing, causing the gum to pull away from the tooth and exposing the root surface. This  can cause sensitivity as well as, wearing away of the exposed root surface from brushing and continued bruxism.
•  Sore Muscles can occur especially in the cheek and temple area when these two muscles are overused, as with grinding the teeth.
• TMJ problems are related to jaw joint pain and sore jaw muscles.  In severe cases, the jaw joint may become overloaded and the resulting problem may lead to surgical intervention.

If you feel you suffer from bruxism early diagnosis of the problem will minimize long-term damage to the teeth and jaws. Currently, the most common treatment against bruxism is a custom-made mouth-guard that is worn during your sleep to prevent unconscious teeth grinding. Make an appointment with your Dentist today.

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• If you have any dental questions, please send Dr Abraham an email at info@parkcitydentalspa.com

While many patients may never question their dental care, some are choosing to seek a second opinion when they aren’t comfortable with their provider, the diagnosis, or their treatment options.

Dentistry is both an art and a science, there are many acceptable ways to approach and treat the same problem. It is important to find a dentist who will take the time to explain the treatment recommended and provide you with different options.

ASK QUESTIONS! Do not be intimidated to ask questions. After all, this is your health and your investment. Asking questions will help put you at ease. If your dentist seems annoyed or unable to answer your questions, this would definitely be an indication to seek a second opinion.  Another red flag would be, if you have maintained your dental health with regular check-ups and cleanings and upon seeking the opinion of a new dentist, you are told you have extensive work to be done, this too would be an indication for a second opinion.

Here are a few questions you should ask your dentist and a couple of things you should be looking for:

• How long has your dentist been practicing?
• What school they went to?
• Ask to see their license.
• What experience do they have with the procedures they are recommending?
• Take a look around the office and ask yourself is it neat, or do you like how the front office deals with your requests.
• Most importantly- Do you feel comfortable with the dentist and staff?

Often a second opinion is not about finding a new provider, but an opportunity to gain confidence with your current provider.  The cost of obtaining a second opinion, depends on the office you select.  Here at Park City Dental Spa, we will gladly provide you with a complimentary second opinion. We will let you know whether the treatment that was recommended to you is the best option for your particular case.

• If you have any dental questions, please send me an email at info@parkcitydentalspa.com

Park City Dental Spa                                                     www. Parkcitydentalspa.com

Eco family and sports dentistry

1526 Ute Blvd Ste 212, Park City, Ut 84098                        435-615-8500

There is an increasing amount of information on the correlation between the health of the mouth and the overall body. Bacteria that enters the mouth and establishes itself in the oral cavity is being found in other parts of the body- such as the heart- and new studies are coming out frequently that are establishing relationships between oral health and various illnesses.

According to one study, periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease by 50%. This is because the bleeding that occurs in the gums acts as a doorway for the bacteria to enter into your bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria travel throughout the body causing inflammation, which can lead to a build-up of fatty deposits that can clog the arteries and can cause heart attack or stroke.

These bacteria can also make their way to the liver, where they cause the liver to produce high levels of proteins. The immune system’s response to these bacteria could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily. Thus, leading to heart attack and stroke.

Another study showed that poor oral hygiene can cause the carotid artery wall, which is the major artery in the neck, to become thick with plaque build-up. So by practicing good oral hygiene you can help eliminate the risks of these dangerous build-ups.

As the evidence becomes clearer in the relationship between oral and overall health, the role of the dentist will change, with the dentist becoming a more integral part of the general health management process. There is growing realization that it may be a dentist who first discovers a larger health problem while examining the patient’s mouth. The dentist is acting as an early warning system by performing early diagnosis, risk assessments, disease management, and then following the patient as they refer them to other health care providers.

Whether or not treating oral health conditions will improve overall health of course depends on the illness. Diseases are complex, with some having multiple risk factors such as; genetic conditions, environmental issues, and behaviors. Yet, the evidence supports the importance of the relationship of the mouth to the body and should not be overlooked.

As evidence becomes clearer in the relationship between oral and overall health, the role of the dentist will change, with the dentist becoming a more integral part of the general health management process. Since the dentist typically treats healthy people, they can serve as an early warning system by performing an Oral Systemic Connection evaluation, disease management, and then referring the patient to other health care providers.

• If you have any dental questions, please send me an email at info@parkcitydentalspa.com

People of all ages and backgrounds are affected by dental anxiety. This doesn’t stop most people from visiting the dentist, but others would prefer to suffer from a toothache than have dental treatment.

Being nervous about going to the dentist affects people in different ways. Some people are anxious about specific aspects of dental treatment. Others may dislike being in close contact with someone they don’t know very well. Many people had unpleasant experiences as a child and are frightened that these experiences will happen again. Some common fears include:

• Fear of injections or pain.
• A sense of not being in control.
• Embarrassment over dental condition.
• Dental office sounds,

Dentists are aware that many patients are anxious, and are trained to take your fears seriously and deal with them sensitively. Some steps you can take to help get over your anxiety are:

• Minimize your need for anything but routine dental treatment. This is achieved by regular dental visits, proper home care, and dietary habits.
• Find a dentist whom offers relaxation techniques.
• Inform your dentist of your fears.
• If your fears are beyond normal help, ask for nitrous oxide or sedation. Do not however, self medicate without informing your dentist prior to treatment.
• Think positively. Remember, your dentist is your partner in your oral health care.

If you don’t go to the dentist, it can cause serious problems. Tooth decay and gum disease do not get better without treatment. You may not know that you have these conditions until it’s too late. This could result in you losing your teeth. Also, dentists screen patients for mouth cancer, so regular check-ups can save lives.

Teeth play an important part in physical appearance. If you have unsightly, uncared-for teeth, it can lead to problems with your confidence and self-esteem. Regular visits to the dentist will help you to keep a healthy, bright, and confident smile!

• If you have any dental questions, please send me an email at info@parkcitydentalspa.com

Caffeine is a natural and legal psychoactive drug that stimulates your brain and behavior. The effects depend on the personality of the user, on the immediate environment, and even the time of day.

Caffeine comes in many forms but the effects are all the same. When you consume caffeine, the drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in your brain. This excess neuron firing triggers your pituitary gland to release adrenaline. Adrenaline is responsible for our “Fight or Flight” response. This response is primarily used to escape immediate dangers and is thus useless while you’re just sitting at your desk.  When this adrenal high wears off later, you feel the drop in terms of fatigue, irritability, headache and confusion.

At this point you may reach for another “hit” of caffeine, constantly keeping your body in a “Fight or Flight” mode. By constantly keeping your body on alert you become depleted of adrenaline. This is characterized by fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, sleep disturbance, irritability, decreased tolerance to stress and depression.

Caffeine acts as a temporary stimulant that offers a physical and mental energy boost. Too much, however, can have ever lasting effects on your teeth and jaw.

Caffeine is a muscle contracture drug and can make your muscles tighter. It also causes you to subconsciously clench your jaw, leading to TMJ pain, temporal headaches and masseter muscle soreness.  This clenching can also lead to fractures of the teeth, nerve damage, hot and cold sensitivity, gum recession and bone loss around the tooth.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your dentist. He/she can help you manage your symptoms and help educate you on the cause and effects of caffeine and your teeth.

Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee in the morning, you can do your body a big favor by eating a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. A healthy diet will keep you energetic all day.

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• If you have any dental questions, please send me an email at info@parkcitydentalspa.com

Park City Dental Spa                                                     www. Parkcitydentalspa.com

Eco family and sports dentistry

1526 Ute Blvd Ste 212, Park City, Ut 84098                        435-615-8500