Bad Breath Treatment
If you are one of the millions of Americans who lives with bad breath, or halitosis, BreathRx can help. Bad breath occurs when the bacteria in your mouth reproduce and feed at a faster rate than your saliva rinses them away. This process releases gaseous waste products, which cause foul-smelling odors known as volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs.
Many people try to treat bad breath with minty gum or mouthwash, but these solutions only mask the problem without fixing the root cause. In fact, these products can dry out your mouth and actually aggravate halitosis. The BreathRx treatment system attacks the causes of breath problems, killing bad-breath causing bacteria and neutralizing foul smells.
With this system, you follow a simple three-step process: brush, scrape, and rinse. Using the BreathRx toothpaste takes your brushing regimen to the next level by breaking up trapped food particles and attacking stubborn VSCs. Because your tongue is usually a main culprit with bad breath, the system includes a tongue scraper that will sweep away leftover food and odor causing bacteria. The final step involves an antibacterial rinse that keeps your mouth and breath feeling fresh.
Checkups
The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist at least twice each year for a checkup. At your checkup, we will inspect your soft tissues for oral cancer, periodontal disease, and other problems. The dentist will also look at each tooth in your mouth to assess problems like tooth decay or cracks, as well as old dental work. Sometimes old dental work wears out and needs to be replaced. We will be happy to replace metal fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns with tooth-colored alternatives.
By looking for trouble every six months, we can often reduce your potential for large dental problems. For instance, left untreated, a small cavity can grow to destroy an entire tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked tooth can cause pain or break off and create additional problems. Furthermore, advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults, and oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year. Caught and treated early, these diseases can be controlled. Children as young as two should visit the dentist, and by age four or five, a child should attend regular checkups.
Children's Dentistry
Our office regularly cares for the dental needs of children as young as three years old. However, if you notice that your child has a problem with his or her teeth or gums prior to this age, please schedule an appointment. You may also want to bring your child to your dental checkup when he or she is about two so that your child can become familiar with the sights, sounds, and friendly helpers in our dental office. We call this a Happy Visit. Your child's independent checkup at age three will involve a tooth-by-tooth inspection and periodontal exam. The dentist will check for proper development, as well as tooth decay and other areas of concern.
As your child grows, he or she will need regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure optimal oral health. Our team will also teach oral homecare techniques so that your child can learn how to effectively brush and floss, with your help at first, then on his or her own. The dentist may recommend dental sealants or fluoride supplements. Sealants are thin, clear coatings that protect hard-to-clean back teeth from the sugars that cause tooth decay. Fluoride attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. Because most bottled water does not contain fluoride, your child may be deficient in this essential mineral. Sealants and fluoride supplements are quick and easy protective measures that can save your little one from cavities.
Let us help your children learn the importance of optimal oral health from a young age. In some cases, we refer children to pedodontists, who are specialists in children's dentistry. We will help you make the best choices for your child's unique and precious personality.
Gum Disease Therapy
The most common disease in the United States is not what you may think. Heart disease, stroke, or cancer come to mind, but actually gum disease is the single most prevalent disease in America. In fact, it affects more people than heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and cancer combined. About 80% of the population has some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, periodontitis (advanced), and gingivitis (mild).
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support teeth, and it usually starts early in life, then progresses as a person ages. It all starts when plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus) below the gum line. This irritates vulnerable soft tissues and infection can set in. Combined with decaying food particles lodged between teeth and bacteria emitted by plaque, the infection can spread quickly. Symptoms are so mild in the early phase, many patients don't recognize them: red, tender, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing teeth.
As the condition progresses, gums recede from teeth and pockets of bacteria form. The bacteria can destroy gum tissue and bone, causing tooth and bone loss.
Why is Gum Disease so Serious?
Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight, and most recently, dementia. Because of these findings, research continues. We may learn much more in the next few years.
It makes perfect sense, though – gum disease linked to overall health problems. Everything that enters or is present in the mouth has access to the whole body. The mouth is like a portal to the body. That's why regular checkups and hygiene visits are vital to not only oral health, but also overall health.
Is Gum Disease Curable?
Unfortunately, gum disease is not curable. However, we can detect early warning signs of gum disease at your regular dental checkups. At this stage, prevention might be as simple as changing your brushing technique, improving your flossing routine, or changing the products you use for oral care at home.
Once gum disease sets in, we can often treat it with non-surgical therapy including:
- Scaling – to remove hardened plaque from below the gum line
- Root Planing – to reduce rough areas on teeth roots
- Antibiotic Therapy – to battle infection
- Laser Treatment – to remove bacteria and promote gum reattachment
- Surgery – advanced cases may require the care of a periodontist, in which case we will refer you to a trusted colleague
Expect to attend more frequent hygiene visits so that a dentist or hygienist can monitor your condition and make sure that recovery is on track.
What is Laser Treatment for Gum Disease?
Combined with comprehensive periodontal therapy, a diode laser for soft tissue procedures can remove and reduce some periodontal infection. This type of treatment also promotes reattachment of gum tissue to teeth. Laser dentistry is precise and conservative in comparison to traditional therapies. Some patients do not even need anesthesia during laser therapy.
Bruxism
The Crux of Bruxism
Some patients react to stress by grinding their teeth unconsciously during the day or, more commonly, while sleeping. The constant pressure and motion can harm teeth, as well as muscles and tissues in and around the jaw. The condition, known as bruxism, can be remedied with a nightguard.
The Facts About Clenching & Grinding
Common symptoms of bruxism include a sore jaw, headaches, or earaches. Causes vary, but may include stress, anxiety, tension, misaligned teeth, posture, diet, sleeping habits, and other factors. Bruxism is most prevalent in women and generally found in about one-third of the population.
Individuals who react to stress with anger, pain, frustration, aggression, or competition are most commonly affected. People with bruxism may have other biting habits, such as biting fingernails, pencils, lips, or the insides of their cheeks.
Constant clenching and grinding of the teeth can cause not only the aforementioned symptoms, but it may also contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction, which has a long list of side effects associated with pain in the head and neck. Teeth rubbing together consistently will result in surface wear over time, which will cause dental problems. Insomnia, eating disorders, and depression can result from bruxism if left untreated.
A Solid Solution
How can you stop an unconscious habit? A thorough evaluation will allow us to check your teeth, tissues, and muscles. If we determine that you suffer from bruxism, we'll create an orthodontic appliance, also called a nightguard or splint, to prevent grinding and clenching. Many types of nightguards exist, and patients react differently to the various styles. If one appliance does not work, another may. In many cases, simply wearing a nightguard will eliminate the problem. However, if the condition persists, we can prescribe alternative therapies to correct the issue.
Some practices that can relieve symptoms of bruxism include stress and anxiety management, focused facial relaxation, massage and stretching of face and neck muscles, applying ice or wet heat, proper rest, eating soft foods, and hydrating the body. If your teeth were damaged because of bruxism, or if we find TMJ to be a factor, our team will repair and treat you to provide complete relief.
Oral Surgery
At Merrill Ranch Dental Care, Dr. Kerbs is equipped and trained to handle virtually all of your oral healthcare needs, including oral surgery. As our patient, you won't need to see a specialist for your surgical procedures. Instead, you'll receive quality dental care in a place where you feel comfortable, cared for, and familiar. Our surgical procedures include:
Should you have questions or concerns about any dental procedure that we recommend, please ask. Our team is always available to share information and educational materials. The more you understand about your dental treatment plan, the wiser your decisions.
Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Are you tired, stressed out, and moody because of interrupted sleep? Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops for periods of 10 seconds or longer, can interrupt deep sleep that makes people feel rested. Non-surgical dental appliances have proven more effective than surgery for many sleep apnea patients.
What is Sleep Apnea?
When a sleeping person stops breathing for 10 or more seconds, they have "apnea." OSAS, or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, is one type of sleep apnea. Lack of adequate breath during sleep reduces airflow, causing the brain to tell the body to wake up and breathe. In some cases, sleep apnea patients only move into a lighter stage of sleep, while other times, patients wake completely.
What's the Problem?
Many factors may contribute to airway blockage, from the size of passages and oral or airway structures, to swelling of passageways or position of the tongue. Disrupted deep sleep can affect mood, health, and cause daytime sleepiness. The added stress and fatigue can cause lack of concentration, loss of memory, and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks include high blood pressure and heart problems, and even a risk of premature death. The sleep apnea patient's snores can disturb a sleeping partner's rest, too.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies
A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSAS, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate the problem. A nasal mask (cPAP) can deliver air to keep nasal passages open during sleep. Even more effective, patients may now wear dental appliances that reposition the tongue or mandible (lower jawbone). A Swedish study showed that the anterior mandibular positioning dental device (AMP) is actually more effective than surgical therapies. The same study stated that adverse health effects and appliance repairs were rare.
According to experts, sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition, and more men than women suffer; a sleep apnea device may improve your quality of life. It's just another way your dentist can help you smile.
TMJ Disorder
Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) is a common affliction. The symptoms vary among patients and range in severity from annoying to debilitating. At Merrill Ranch Dental Care, Dr. Kerbs alleviates TMJ-related discomfort with non-surgical therapies that ease strained jaw joins.
Causes & Symptoms
Emotional and physical stress, a misaligned bite, trauma, and a host of other factors contribute to malfunction of the TMJ joints. Symptoms include:
- Chronic headaches, including migraines
- Jaw popping or clicking
- The inability to fully open or close your mouth
- Chronic earaches
- Tingling in the fingers
- Unexplained facial, jaw, shoulder, neck, or low back pain
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Diagnosis & Treatment
Dr. Kerbs will examine your teeth and bite and assess your jaw joint function to isolate the source of your distress. He may recommend oral appliance therapy to restore comfortable jaw movement and alleviate pain. A thin, comfortable mouthguard worn at night relieves stressed jaw muscles and encourages them to settle into their ideal position. Other treatments for TMJ pain include building up the surface of back teeth to correct bite misalignment, stress management, and lifestyle changes that reduce strain on jaw joints and muscles.
Traditional Orthodontics
Braces, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances close gaps between teeth, eliminate crowding, create space for permanent teeth, and correct bite misalignments. Many people think that orthodontic treatment is just for kids. However, over one-million adults wear braces. At Merrill Ranch Dental Care, our onsite orthodontist helps patients of all ages achieve beautiful, optimally aligned smiles through modern orthodontic treatment. Financing is available.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces consist of thin wire threaded through brackets that are bonded to the front or backs of teeth. We offer clear, colored, and metal brackets. Tension on the wire exerts gentle pressure to gradually realign teeth and bites for stronger, healthier, more beautiful smiles. Our orthodontist often recommends traditional braces for children and teens, although many adults opt for this method of orthodontic treatment as well. The length of treatment depends on the complexity of each individual's orthodontic needs.
Preventive Orthodontics
Early orthodontic intervention can save your child's smile from problems down the road. Our orthodontist encourages parents to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for children by age seven. Preventive orthodontics can remedy problems caused by common childhood habits, including thumb sucking and pacifier use, and guide proper jaw growth to create space for eruption of permanent teeth.
Invisalign Clear Braces
Adults who need to maintain a mature, professional image may qualify for Invisalign clear braces. This state-of-the-art method of orthodontia uses clear, comfortable, acrylic aligners to move teeth. The removable aligners provide adults the freedom they desire and the smiles they deserve.
Under Armour Performance Mouthwear™
Would you like to increase your strength, speed, and balance without any training? Sounds too good to be true, right? Professional athletes across the nation are stepping up their game with the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear. More than just a mouthguard, Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is custom designed to reduce jaw tension, allowing you to focus on what's important – smearing the competition!
The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear does more than protect your mouth and teeth from sports-related injuries. Clenching, the body's natural reaction to stress, releases the hormone cortisol, which can cause fatigue and distraction. The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear prevents clenching and also pivots the jaw forward, alleviates jaw pressure, enlarges airway openings, and increasing oxygen flow to the body.
As an Under Armour Performance Mouthwear provider, the dentist can fit you for the appliance in one visit. First, we'll take impressions of your teeth and register your bite. The entire process takes about 20 minutes, and you'll receive your Under Armour Performance Mouthwear in about 10 days.
Hundreds of athletes currently use the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear to improve their sports performance. It's recommended for adults and children eight and older who play contact, no-contact, and limited-contact sports, including football, baseball, soccer, tennis, and golf. |
