Oral Health

The mouth is often considered a window to the rest of the body because many other illnesses first present themselves as changes within the mouth. As a result, a comprehensive oral exam is recommended each time you visit a new practice to serve as a benchmark of your overall health.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and especially tap water. This mineral helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars in the mouth. It attracts other minerals and strengthens tooth enamel.

Custom-fit mouth guards are prescribed and created by a dental professional from thermoplastic material and are based on a detailed mold taken of your mouth and teeth. They can be made for either sports or for nighttime teeth grinding and are created differently depending on the intended use. They're highly personalized, as your dentist can adjust the thickness of the mouth guard, and they're designed to fit perfectly in your mouth with no adjustments needed. 

If you’re experiencing chronic headaches and migraines because of involuntary night-time teeth clenching, let Autumn Dental help you with a night guard. A night guard is a thin, transparent device that is worn over the biting surface of your teeth while you sleep to prevent contact between the upper and lower teeth. Night guards have also proven to be an effective remedy for patients who are suffering from the effects of grinding and clenching their teeth while sleeping.

The dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of oral cancer. The goal of oral cancer screenings is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage when cancer or lesions are easiest to remove and most likely to be cured. When found at the early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80-90% survival rate. Early detection is imperative!

Dental sealants consist of a plastic material that is placed on the chewing surface of the permanent back teeth, molars, and premolars to help protect them from bacteria and acids that contribute to tooth decay. Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Snoring occurs when there is an obstructed flow of air through the mouth and nose areas. Sixty-seven percent of adults suffer from snoring, and it is estimated that over 120 million people in the United States snore every single night. Snoring can originate from a variety of different causes, but it usually stems from an obstructed nasal airway, a deviated septum, nasal polyps, weak throat and tongue muscles, bulky throat tissue or a long soft palate and/or uvula. Habitual snorers are commonly at risk for sleep apnea, as well as chronic tiredness, unnecessary strain on the heart and a reduction in their overall quality of life.

Your dentist can help you reduce chronic snoring by ensuring an unobstructed airflow through your mouth and nose.  A custom-molded plastic oral appliance can be fitted to hold the lower jaw in its proper position at night so that you enjoy a healthy airflow and a good night's sleep.

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). But you may also hear it called TMJ, after the joint.

Problems with your jaw, face, neck and the muscles that control them are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD, sometimes referred to as TMJ). These disorders occur as a result of problems associated with the temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge joint on each side of your head in front of your ears that connects the lower jawbone to your skull.