Dentures and Dentist

Dentures and Dentist

Health Concerns to Discuss With Your Dentist at Your Next Visit

Julian Andrews

The condition of your teeth is not the only health concern that can be discussed with your dentist, as he or she can address a wide number of problems beyond potential cavities and the need for a root canal. You may not realize the different types of health concerns that a dentist might address, so note a few of those here and be sure you bring them up the next time you visit a dentist if they're a concern for you.

1. Excessive snoring

Snoring can be caused by too much tissue in the soft palate, or the upper part of the mouth in the back. When this tissue vibrates, a person can snore. A dentist can examine this tissue to note if there is excess fat in the area that is causing it to block your airways, and then often remove it quickly and easily. Some dentists can do this with a laser in just one short visit, so there is no need for stitches.

This fatty tissue can also cause a person to stop breathing at night, and they may wake up just long enough to get themselves breathing again. This is called sleep apnoea, and a common symptom of it is snoring that sounds like snorting or gasping. Removing that tissue can open up the airways and allow you to breathe freely.

2. Headaches

Your headaches can be caused by a variety of reasons, but if your jaw is not properly aligned or if you grind your teeth at night, these can be culprits. You may need a mouth guard to keep you from grinding your teeth or you may want to think about straightening your teeth so your upper jaw especially has the support it needs. This can allow your muscles to relax and, in turn, your headaches may go away.

3. Dry mouth

If you don't seem to be producing the saliva you once did, you want to discuss this with your dentist. Saliva is very important to the overall health of your teeth and gums as it rinses away food particles and bacteria, but not producing enough can be a sign of diabetes or just simple dehydration. Your dentist can go over your health history with you and recommend tests be run for diabetes, or prescribe medication that can help your mouth produce a healthy amount of saliva to keep your teeth and gums healthy.


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About Me
Dentures and Dentist

Hello, my name is Jack. I am now 79 years old. As you can imagine, my teeth have taken something of a battering over the years. I lost a couple of teeth in a bar fight, four more decayed and one had to be extracted when it became infected. After losing so many teeth, my dentist suggested that I have dentures fitted. I was worried about this but my dentist was really great. He helped explain the procedure and then did an excellent job. I love my new dentures and I wanted to start this blog to offer help to others.

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