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Bad Breath Treatment
More than 90 million people struggle with chronic bad breath. Typically, poor oral hygiene habits leave decaying food particles, other debris, and bacteria in the mouth. These conditions produce volatile sulfur compounds just like those found in rotten eggs, resulting in foul-smelling breath. Chewing gum, mints, and normal mouthwash won't cure halitosis.
Bad breath is also one of the main symptoms of a serious underlying periodontal condition: gum disease. Many patients who come to us for help with halitosis don't realize they actually have some form of gum disease. Although gum disease is terribly pervasive, it's also preventable. When you visit our office because of halitosis, we'll carefully check for the warning signs of gum disease: red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, gums pulling away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, pus between the gum and tooth, bite changes, and/or a change in the fit of dentures or a bridge. If gum disease exists, treating it may also cure your halitosis.
Internal infections, diabetes, kidney failure, liver malfunction, and radiation treatment for cancer can contribute to halitosis. Lifestyle conditions such as stress, dieting, snoring, advancing age, and hormonal changes may also stimulate bad breath.
Hygiene, Rinses, & Relationships
Regardless of the cause, bad breath is treatable even if it's not associated with gum disease. First, institute effective oral hygiene: regular professional cleanings, brushing twice each day, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning. Effective tongue cleaning with a specially designed scraper removes bacterial build-up 10 times more effectively than a toothbrush. If meticulous hygiene doesn't stop the problem, we offer BreathRx and Oxyfresh professional breath treatments to eliminate odor. Most people notice an immediate improvement. And better breath could mean better relationships!
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
Children's smiles are special and require a tender touch. At Sossaman Family Dental, we love treating kids and providing a positive dental care experience. Teaching kids to properly care for their teeth gives them a head start on a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles. Sossaman Family Dental – Mesa's choice for quality children's dentistry.
We recommend that you schedule your child for a first visit at age three, or earlier if you notice any problems. Feel free to bring your child to one of your visits first so that he or she can get acclimated to our office and staff. At your child's appointment, one of our caring family dentists will gently examine your child's teeth for decay and check bite alignment. To prevent cavities in young smiles, we often recommend easy-to-apply fluoride supplements or dental sealants.
Your child's dentist may suggest orthodontic treatment to create space for permanent teeth, widen a narrow palette, and/or correct bite discrepancies that may cause problems as your child grows.
At Sossaman Family Dental, we make children's dentistry fun. Our team will treat your child as we would our own children, with compassion, care, and a focus on lasting oral health.
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 Sossaman Family Dental, our dentists are 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
Do you experience chronic headaches or facial pain? Is it difficult for you to fully and comfortably open and close your mouth? You may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, this common condition affects 10 million Americans at any given time. Dr. Kerbs and the dentists at Sossaman Family Dental are experienced at diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder. They offer non-surgical treatments to help you feel better fast.
What causes TMJ disorder?
When the two small joints in front of your ears are aggravated by stress, a misaligned bite, injury, or other factors, nerves and muscles become overstimulated, which causes impaired function and discomfort. Symptoms vary from patient to patient and, in addition to the ones listed above, include:
- Migraine headaches
- Unexplained facial, neck, shoulder, jaw, or lower back pain
- Tingling in the fingers
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Chronic earaches
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
How do you treat this condition?
Your dentist will perform a full examination of your teeth and jaw to pinpoint the source of your pain, then prescribe treatment appropriate for your unique needs. Many TMJ sufferers experience relief with a custom-made mouthguard. This comfortable oral appliance holds your jaw in the proper position to ease stressed nerves and muscles. If a misaligned bite is the culprit, we can gently build up the surface of your back teeth to properly align your bite and alleviate discomfort. Our team will monitor your progress to ensure successful resolution of your TMJ-related issues.
Traditional Orthodontics
At our full-service Mesa dental practice, we offer state-of-the-art orthodontic treatments for beautiful, healthy smiles. Braces aren't just for kids! We offer modern solutions to meet the orthodontic needs of children, teens, and adults.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces use brackets and metal wires to close gaps, eliminate crowding, and correct bite misalignments. Tension created by adjusting the wires exerts pressure to gently move teeth into their ideal arrangement. This type of orthodontic treatment is a good option for children and teens, and many adults choose traditional braces as well. Treatment times vary according to each patient's unique needs. Your children may want to personalize their braces with colored brackets that reflect their unique personalities! Clear brackets are also available.
Preventive Orthodontics
As with any aspect of oral health, prevention is a key component of a lasting smile. Orthodontics is no different. We recommend that you bring your child for an orthodontic assessment by age 7. We'll evaluate your child's needs and recommend appropriate orthodontic treatment to correct damage caused by habits such as thumb sucking, and prevent future problems from occurring. Preventive orthodontics can guide the eruption of permanent teeth into their optimal position and correct alignment problems for a strong, healthy, and beautiful smile. Correcting problems now can prevent damage to your child's smile and save you time and money in long run.
A Clear Choice
Many of our adult patients choose Invisalign clear braces for their straightening needs. Invisalign is the clear, comfortable, and fast way to beautify smiles. You'll maintain your mature, professional image and achieve the smile you've always wanted. Ask about Invisalign at your orthodontic consultation.
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.
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