Oral Health From Head to Toe

Oral Health From Head to Toe

The Hindin Center for Whole Health Dentistry takes oral health to a new level by looking at your mouth in relationship to what else might be happening in your body. So while you can expect excellence in dental procedures from fillings and crowns to bridges and orthodontics, you’ll be treated by whole health dentists who are expert in other services critical to maintaining your overall health.

Waking up to the dangers of sleep disorders.

Constant tiredness is just one of the unpleasant side effects of a sleep disturbance. A sleep disorder can also lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and accidents. It doubles your risk of strokes and, undetected, it can take 8–10 years off your life.

Although there is a growing awareness of the impact of sleep disorders on health, many people are unaware that they have them. At The Hindin Center, as a part of our normal screening process, we ask patients if they have any of the common symptoms associated with sleep disorders, including:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Loud, disruptive snoring
  • Depression and irritability
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Morning headaches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Memory loss or limited attention

If we uncover problematic symptoms (and after consulting with a patient’s physician), we can employ a variety of state-of-the-art oral devices at the Hindin Center for overcoming sleep disorders. We also use as a proprietary monitoring system to help assess the effectiveness of a corrective device.

With the aid of our comprehensive evaluation, testing and treatment, patients routinely experience dramatic relief from snoring, sleep apnea, head, and facial pain connected to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). We have also freed  patients from CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) masks, a commonly prescribed solution that most sleep apnea  sufferers find extremely uncomfortable and often don’t use.

And, incidentally, sleep disorders don’t only affect adults. When a child is sleepy, snores, and generally does not get a good night’s sleep, he or she may be suffering from a sleep-related breathing disorder that could be misdiagnosed. Oral devices have been shown to be effective for children with mild and moderate sleep apnea and other sleep disturbances.

Moving past that pain in your jaw.

As many patients now know, some neck pain and headaches can be caused by jaw issues. Clenching and grinding at night, symptoms associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), can cause TMD disorders, and can be corrected successfully with the latest oral devices. The trained dental professionals at the Hindin Center can find the most effective device for you, while always considering your whole health when evaluating the best solution.

Getting in good with your gums.

According to the recently released Surgeon General's report on oral health in America, a large percentage of the population suffers from a reduced quality of life due to oral pain. This pain is due largely to infections of the gums. In fact, more than 75 percent of the population is affected by some type of periodontal disease or gingivitis.

At the Hindin Center, we say that it’s never too early to consider periodontia, because so many serious health conditions are related to the health of your gums. There is growing evidence of a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes and stroke — diseases that may be characterized by bleeding and swollen gums, mouth ulcers, and dry mouth.

Gum problems can be diagnosed in their early stages with a thorough oral examination. At The Hindin Center, our comprehensive examinations from your first visit will detect the earliest stages of gum disease, so you can get effective treatment quickly and safely if necessary, before other health concerns arise. 

Training the face with growth guidance therapy.

An adequate airway, correct tongue position and swallowing are critical in the development of a child’s face, and this good “oral posture” can dramatically impact the overall health of a child. Often children grow up as “mouth breathers” due to complications with allergies, sinus problems or airway obstructions like enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Children’s mouth breathing starts a process that may restructure the face in ways that affect its appearance and healthy function.

At the Hindin Center, Dr. Jill Meyer is working at the cutting edge of growth guidance therapy to alter oral posture, primarily using BioBloc therapy and early orthopedic treatment. Developed by Dr. John Mew, BioBloc therapy consists of redirecting growth of the lower face in a more ideal direction, converting “unfavorable” vertical growth caused by mouth breathing and /or incorrect tongue posture to a more horizontal and “favorable” growth which is more attractive and healthier. This is optimally done on young children, usually by the age of ten.

Dr. Meyer also treats adolescents using fixed orthodontics or “braces” to straighten the teeth while keeping facial balance and airway in mind.

Ask your Hindin Center dental professional to speak to you about the benefits of growth guidance therapy for your child. It can make a big difference in facial appearance, proper tooth alignment, comfortable inhalation, and developmental health.

Soothing your soul with a brighter smile.

As part of Whole Health Dentistry, we consider the emotional health of our patients, too. When a man, woman or child is ashamed to smile—perhaps due to crooked, broken, or stubby teeth, gaps in a smile, yellowed or darkened teeth—it can have a negative impact on their mental well being.

At the Hindin Center, we believe that a beautiful smile is one key to a more joyful life, and that cosmetic dentistry is much more than mere vanity. We are aware that restored smile should also maintain or improve function.That’s why we take such care with all our cosmetic services—whether it involves bonding, porcelain veneers, implants, bridges, crowns, or simple whitening.