Because Everything in the Body Is Linked,
Whole Health Is a Priority at Blue Heron Dentistry

At Blue Heron Dentistry, our goal to promote whole health and wellness is expressed by offering patients information about nutrition, exercise and weight management.

Everything in the body is linked. The health of the mouth affects the body systemically as the health of the body affects the mouth.

Periodontal disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancers, stillbirths and more. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity can lead to cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, stroke, and osteoarthritis. Oral bacteria can affect the heart when entered into the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries and contributing to clot formation. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly which can lead to heart attacks.

OralDNA: Salivary Diagnostics

A simple 30 second swish and gargle is all it takes!

At Blue Heron Dentistry, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools enable us to develop the most personalized program to measure, evaluate and monitor patients’ periodontal and systemic health care. Salivary testing is invaluable in identifying early signs of oral pathogens, as well as individual markers for other diseases and oral cancer.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Appliances

A Non-Invasive Treatment for Bruxism (Tooth Grinding)

This disorder, characterized by problems or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint that connects the jawbone to the lower half of the skull, affects millions of Americans everyday. TMJ disease can make talking, eating – even laughing – a painful ordeal.

TMJ appliances work to gently protect a misaligned bite over time through the use of dental devices, rather than through invasive surgical techniques. There are several different types of TMJ appliances Blue Heron Dentistry provides that can be used to relieve symptoms and protect the bite.

The first, and perhaps most commonly used type of appliance is a nighttime mouth guard. Mouth guards are usually made of soft, flexible plastic and inserted into the mouth before bed, then removed in the morning. They work well for TMJ patients who suffer from bruxism, or tooth grinding in their sleep, or those who cite stress as one of the main factors in their TMJ disorder. This is because mouth guards that are worn at night can help relax the jaw to prevent clenching, as well as protecting teeth from the wear and tear of repetitive grinding motions.

For more severe or persistent TMJ symptoms, a more complex treatment plan may be recommended, calling for a full mouth evaluation and a different style of appliance. If there still isn’t resolution, then a recommendation will be given to see one of the physical therapists we work with in order to resolve more difficult TMJ cases.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Excessive Snoring and Daytime Drowsiness Could Indicate Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They often occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. You often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow. This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This means that the airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep. The blockage may cause shallow breathing or breathing pauses.

When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. For example, small children may have enlarged tonsil tissues in their throats, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea.

If you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or snore, the SomnoDent® MAS mouth appliance should benefit you. It will almost certainly put an end to your snoring and will most likely eliminate or significantly reduce your OSA. The SomnoDent® MAS is comfortable and easy to wear. Made from two separate pieces consisting of an upper and lower arch, the appliance uses the smallest amount of material possible, reducing bulkiness in the mouth. The SomnoDent® MAS does not limit tongue space which results in a high comfort level.

Great, caring, comprehensive dentistry here, in a well designed beautiful building.
Staff is knowledgeable and courteous, greeting customers by name.
This is a great place for maintaining your oral hygiene!

Michael C