Boulder General Dentistry

By now you are probably aware of the things to help keep your teeth and gums healthy: brush and floss, visit the dentist twice a year, keep snacking to a minimum, and don't smoke. While this advice is ingrained in us at a young age, nearly 50% of people will have a cavity by the time they are 12-years-old. Telling our children to do these things so they don't get cavities is one thing. Cavities can be fixed. However, it has been noted that poor oral health can lead to periodontal disease, and this can lead to things that cannot be fixed as easily or even at all.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that destroys tissue and bone that holds the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While some people are simply genetically prone to periodontal disease, many who have it could have avoided the problems. And now, links have been established between this disease and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, problems for those with diabetes, and problems with pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth).

There are several hypotheses about why this happens. One of them is that oral bacteria enters the bloodstream, attaches to fatty plaques in the arteries, and causes clots. Another is that inflammation of the gums may cause a buildup of plaque itself.

Treating periodontal disease includes reducing gum inflammation and lowering the amount of bacteria in the mouth, but why let it get to this point? If you know how to avoid the disease in the first place, the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your overall health, can be improved.

For more information on periodontal disease, its treatment, and its risks, please contact Dr. Birnbach.

The prevalence of oral cancer in our society is alarming when you look at the numbers. Nearly 34,000 people get it each year, and around 8,000 die as a result of it. It is the second most serious dental problem behind periodontal disease.

Major causes of oral cancer are smoking and alcohol abuse, but there are many who get it who have never abused these things. There is some indication that one of the causes may also be human paopilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that also causes cervical cancer.

While there are 11,000 cases of cervical cancer a year, nearly 60 million pap smears are given each year to detect this disease. Not so with oral cancer. However, many dentists, including Dr. Birnbach have begun to screen for oral cancer using the ViziLite system. This is a non-invasive and completely painless technique for detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages, even before you see lesions with your own eye.

Symptoms of oral cancer include bleeding from the mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, lumps in or around the mouth, and red or white lesions. It occurs most frequently on the gums, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth.

By taking care to practice good oral hygiene, get twice yearly checkups, and add oral cancer screening to your dental routine, you will not only avoid the chance of getting oral cancer, but may stop it in its earliest stages. Remember that how you take care of your teeth and gums affects more than your smile.

If you are interested in being screened for oral cancer in addition to your routine dental exam, please contact Dr. Birnbach.

Sleep apnea, a disorder where you stop breathing for at least ten seconds, can be a serious condition. Besides daytime fatigue, which can really ruin your day, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, heart attacks, and strokes. That's right; sleep apnea may lead to death.

However, there are several ways to treat sleep apnea and improve your sleep and your health.

• Behavioral Changes - Because things like alcohol intake, tobacco use, and diet may be causes, changing your behavior can help. By quitting smoking, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume, and losing weight, you reduce the severity of apnea. If you are unable to change your behavior on your own, talk to a physician.
• Oral Appliance Therapy - Several devices may help including mouth guards, tongue and jaw positioners. These will help to hold those parts of your mouth, such as your tongue or jaw, from blocking your airway.
• CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a mask you wear at night to keep air flowing through your nostrils. This keeps your throat from closing and keeps oxygen flowing to your brain and heart. CPAP will also help keep you from snoring.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, please contact Dr. Birnbach to find out your treatment options. Don't miss anymore sleep because of this condition.

TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorder, occurs when there are problems with the jaw, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or the surrounding muscles of the face. These muscles help control chewing and movement of the jaw, as well as some of the facial expressions. Some injuries, such as whiplash or a blow to the jaw, can cause TMD. Other causes include:

• Clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism)
• Dislocation of the soft cushion between the ball and socket of the jaw
• Stress, which can cause tightening of facial and jaw muscles, or clenching of the teeth
• Presence of arthritis

Severe pain and discomfort often accompanies TMD, and is most commonly seen in people between 20 and 40 years old. More women than men suffer from TMD.

Common Symptoms

• Pain in face, neck, shoulders, or area of the jaw
• Jaw that locks in open or closed position
• Swelling on the side of the face
• Clicking or popping in the jaw, which may or may not be painful
• Difficulty chewing
• Toothaches
• Headaches, including migraines
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness

Being diagnosed with TMD is done by a dentist who has experience in neuromuscular dentistry. After finding that you have TMD, finding the root of the cause, as well as treatment of the symptoms can begin. Treatment might include wearing a mouth guard to help adjust your bite, dental treatment which might include crowns to replace missing teeth, or a change in your diet to avoid hard and sticky foods.

If you think you might have TMD or want to know more about it, please contact Dr. Birnbach, serving Boulder and the area from Fort Collins to Denver, Colorado.

Practicing good oral hygiene is the most important preventative measure a person can take to reduce the risk of most dental problems. Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing the most common forms of dental problems from tooth decay to bad breath to gingivitis. A dentist and his staff can help you learn all about good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing. Healthy teeth not only allow you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is, therefore, imperative to your overall health and well-being.

Visiting a dentist regularly is an excellent way of achieving good oral hygiene and having a healthy and happy mouth. A general dentist will perform routine teeth cleaning such as scaling and root planing to eliminate plaque and tartar that builds up on the teeth. Plaque and tartar are the main causes of oral hygiene problems. In between dentist visits, it is highly recommended that you brush thoroughly at least twice a day and floss daily. Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals is also recommended. Using dental products that contain fluoride will also help the health of your teeth and gums. Brushing properly is crucial to the health of your teeth; an excellent general dentist can show you how to brush properly to ensure the maximum benefit.

To learn more about how to care for your teeth and gums to ensure a long life for both, please contact Dr. Birnbach, general dentist, serving patients in the Boulder, Colorado area since 1977.