Complete Oral Health encompasses all areas of dental and oral health as well as one's overall health which both impacts and is impacted by health in other areas of the body. In the four sections below, you can see just how much different oral health conditions can cause and impact other oral health conditions. At Branin Center for Dentistry, we understand oral health holisitically, knowing that many parts of your health are interconnected and important. Good oral care and habits can prevent other issues from occurring both within the mouth and in other parts of the body. If you have any concerns about your complete oral health, talk to one of our dentists about the treatments available to you.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding & Clenching)

Bruxism, or the grinding and clenching that wears down the teeth, most often occurs during sleep or as a subconscious response to stress, anxiety, and certain sleep disorders during the day. Left unchecked, teeth grinding can lead to disordered sleep, temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, dental damage, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and pain in the teeth, jaw, and face. Bruxism can have major impacts on your oral health, the quality of your sleep, your overall well-being. Though grinding of the teeth typically results from stress, certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming high amounts of caffeine as well as sleep apnea, and some medications can also pose a risk for the development of bruxism. 

Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMJD)

Located just in front of the ears, the two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are complex joints which connect the lower jaw to the skull. Each made of cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and a fibrocartilage disk, when a part of the joint system does not function correctly, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can occur. Symptoms of TMD are pain and discomfort, clicking, locking of the jaw, ear and headaches, increased teeth sensitivity, dizziness, and limited jaw motion. Because of the joint's complexity, an improperly functioning TMJ can cause issues in both your oral and overall health.

Botox™ & Dermal Fillers

Although Botox is more generally understood as a tool for cosmetic alteration that smooths wrinkles and lines on the face, Botox also offers temporary relief from pain that may result from TMJDs, Bruxism, or other oral conditions. Injected and temporary like Botox, dermal fillers, on the other hand, are solely aesthetic treatments aiming to achieve a more youthful, lustrous, and fuller appearance by adding a natural, lubricant to the skin. Botox or dermal fillers can positively affect your complete oral health and your confidence. Ask your doctor if Botox or dermal fillers are right for you. 

Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the most common and most serious sleep disorders. Different from Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) where the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles which control breathing, OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat and mouth and the topography of the airway and oral system prevent or restrict proper breathing. Sleep Apnea can cause a number of detrimental effects to your overall health and well-being including fatigue, bruxism, mood swings, drowsiness and grogginess, low productivity, and, if untreated, can be a life-threatening condition due to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. A variety of treatments and lifestyle changes are used to counter Sleep Apnea and create pathways for proper breathing and oxygenation of the body and brain.