Dental Cleanings, Exams & Digital X-Rays
For healthy adults that do not have gum disease, a quality dental cleaning and exam should take place every 6 months!
Why are dental cleanings so important?
​
-
Over time plaque builds on your teeth. The help of a dental professional is required to remove this tough to get plaque. If you allow this plaque to build up, it will lead to gum disease and other serious oral health issues.
-
During regular cleanings most oral health issues are discovered, such as cavities. Being routinely checked for needed dental treatment prevents issues from progressing to painful and life impacting stages. During your cleaning with Vista Dental you will be shown your x-rays while the doctor discusses your oral health goals. Vista Dental is prepared to help you plan treatment at your cleaning appointment so we can take care of any issues as soon as possible.
-
Oral cancer screenings are done during your dental cleanings. Early detection is the best way to beat cancer and it is important to be routinely checked for any suspicious activity in your mouth.
-
Most people do not know when it is time to replace their toothbrush. Regular dental cleanings allow Vista Dental the chance to get you a new toothbrush and dental kit so you don't have to take the time to pick one up!
We can help prevent the progression of gum disease with periodontal maintenance therapy. This therapy is an important addition to the treatment plan of patients who suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance therapy may include re-treating areas of active infection as needed. These treatments take place during your maintenance cleanings scheduled every three to four months. This treatment plan helps ensure you are maintaining optimal oral health after gum disease.
​
For more information on gum disease and periodontal maintenance, follow the link below to learn more!
Periodontal Maintenance
Snoring & Sleep Apnea
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical problem that may be caused by a nasal obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or having large tonsils.
​
Sleep apnea is considered to be a serious sleep disorder because the patient can stop breathing abruptly, which may stop oxygen flow to the brain.
Treatment for sleep apnea could save your life, so any symptoms need to be taken seriously. Dr. Don Kim may recommend a CPAP alternative and lifestyle changes as part of your treatment plan for this condition.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Most common signs include:
-
Waking up short of breath
-
Loud snoring
-
Making snoring or choking sounds in your sleep
-
Unintentionally falling asleep during the day
-
Unexplainable periods of extreme exhaustion
-
Waking up with a headache
​
Most common risk factors include:
-
Being over the age of 40
-
Being male
-
Being considered overweight
-
If you have a family history of sleep apnea there is a high chance that you too will develop it
Vista Dental offers sleep apnea solutions other than a bulky and loud CPAP machine to help improve your quality of sleep!
Night Guard for Teeth Grinding
The majority of people who grind their teeth do so at night while asleep. While occassional teeth grinding is usually not a reason for concern, anyone who experiences habitual teeth grinding should consider seeking out a night guard. Habitual teeth grinding exerts upwards of 200 lbs of pressure on the teeth and jaw joints. This causes wear and damage to the tooth enamel, as well as the jaw muscles. Habitual teeth grinding can lead to a variety of serious problems. These include broken and damaged teeth, headaches, neck and jaw pain.
Stress, anxiety, and other problems can cause or exacerbate teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can also be a sign of sleep apnea or a result of missing or crocked teeth. If you allow yourself to continue grinding without the protection of a night guard it can lead to a number of problems and affect the esthetics of your smile. Don't let teeth grinding ruin your Vista smile!
Vista Dental customizes your night guard to ensure a comfortable fit.
