When people think of the dentist, they immediately think of teeth. They picture dental veneers, dental crowns, dental bridges, dental implants, dental fillings, orthodontic treatment and other preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry treatments at their Sutherland Shire Dentist.
However, your local bulk billing dentist Caringbah may be more versatile than meets the eye. In this article, our Caringbah Dentist and Shire Dentist team at The Caringbah Dentists will be explaining how your dentist can also help with snoring, sleep apnoea, gum disease, and dental hygiene.
Gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis treatment
There are certain tell-tale signs of gum disease to look out for:
- Swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Gums that bleed spontaneously
- Gums that bleed when you brush or eat
- Loosening adult teeth
- Pus in the mouth
- Painful gums
In a sense, symptoms can be a fortunate thing, because they can indicate it is time to see your dentist. If you do not have symptoms, it is possible you will not detect gum disease until it is quite advanced. Therefore, it is always advisable to visit the dentist as part of a regular dental check-up schedule.
Your local dentist in Caringbah will be able to assist in numerous ways:
- Advice on how to prevent the development of gum disease.
- A thorough dental hygiene clean that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth.
- Scaling and planing. This is a more thorough preventative measure, generally undertaken under local anaesthesia. It removes plaque thoroughly, and subtly reshapes the teeth to limit areas where bacteria can develop.
- Pocket reduction surgery and soft tissue grafts are two more extensive treatments for advanced gum disease.
Snoring and sleep apnoea treatment at your Sutherland Shire dentist
Snoring can impact the quality of sleep of an entire household, including the person who snores as well as those they live with. If your snoring is extreme, it is possibly that you are suffering from sleep apnoea, which is a more serious condition that can adversely impact health.
Sleep apnoea is a condition in which breathing stops and starts. This can be due to the throat muscles relaxing and blocking off airflow, or due to the brain failing to properly control your breathing patterns when you are asleep. It is often indicated by snoring and by feeling tired when you wake up. Sleep apnoea impacts oxygen levels in the body, reducing health over time and posing risks to the organs.
Your local Caringbah Dentist or other dentist near me may be able to assist by providing a specialised device that keeps the airway open by ensuring the lower jaw is in a slightly open position. Multiple device types are available to suit your needs including a mandibular advancement device and a tongue retaining device.
The Caringbah Dentists offer a wide range of dental, gum and sleep apnoea services that value and respect your overall health, not just your dental health. If you would like to be seen by a dentist that also considers your overall health and wellbeing, contact us on (02) 9525 0595 or reception@thecaringbahdentists.com.au to book an appointment.
