Health Screenings In Greensboro, NC
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Our Process
If you are a new patient at Evergreen Dental Co., Dr. Tariq Jah will perform a 1-hour comprehensive exam. Dr. Jah will review your dental and medical history before taking high-definition photos of your teeth and a full set of digital x-rays. He will then take your blood pressure and screen for sleep breathing disorders or TMJ. Dr. Jah will send a review of his findings and a summary of the discussion to patients so we are all on board with what treatment recommendations are and the next steps moving forward.
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Blood Pressure Screenings
Blood pressure can be significantly affected by oral health problems, especially conditions like gum disease. By taking your blood pressure, we can spot hypertension which may be a sign of gum disease or sleep apnea.
Understanding your blood pressure reading is important so you know what steps to take next. If you are already on medication for high blood pressure but have gum disease, this can interfere with the medication’s ability to do its job.
At our office, if we detect high blood pressure, we will encourage you to see a doctor. You could potentially have an underlying health condition that needs to be treated or you may need to go on medication to lower your blood pressure and prevent heart problems.
However, we will also suggest that you get a periodontal screening so we can look for signs of gum disease that may be contributing to the problem due to the body’s inflammation response to protect against infection.
Breathing & Sleep Disorder Screenings
You might not think of your dentist in Greensboro, NC as the first line of defense when it comes to sleep breathing disorders, but dentists are highly knowledgeable about facial anatomy and can detect abnormal tissues on x-rays.
We will ask you a series of questions to get a handle on your risk factor for sleep apnea, including whether or not you snore at night, have high blood pressure, breathe through your mouth, or have been diagnosed with diabetes.
We will then discuss your symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, forgetfulness, dry mouth, and gasping for air in the middle of the night. Oftentimes we can spot abnormal or enlarged tissues through x-rays that could be blocking your airway.
Dentists are equipped to detect signs of sleep apnea and refer you to a sleep study where you can receive a diagnosis so we can move forward with treatment such as an occlusal guard that keeps your airway open while you sleep.
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Jaw, Neck & Facial Musculature Exams
By examining the muscles in your face, jaw, and neck, we can detect signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), bruxism, and bite problems. TMJ is a painful defect in the jaw’s joints or muscles that causes a lack of mobility.
Symptoms of TMJ include jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, lockjaw, and clicking noises when you open your jaw. Patients who suffer from TMJ often also suffer from bruxism, which means they grind their teeth at night.
While there are many potential causes of TMJ, bruxism is one of them. If you are constantly straining your jaw and grinding your teeth, this can wear away at the jaw muscles and cause significant discomfort. We can diagnose TMJ based on reported symptoms, x-rays, and a thorough physical exam of your facial muscles and jaw.
If you have TMJ or bruxism, you will need to wear a mouthguard to sleep every night to prevent serious damage to your teeth. This will also give you relief from the pain and stiffness in your jaw.
The Importance of Health Screenings
Oral health is closely connected to your overall health. Problems such as tooth decay and gum disease can increase your risk for serious health conditions that can shorten your lifespan if they aren’t properly treated in time.
High blood pressure and snoring may seem like arbitrary details but these could be signs of gum disease or sleep apnea, both of which increase your risk for heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
By screening for these problems early, we can help you get a diagnosis and keep both your oral and overall health in good shape. Contact us at Evergreen Dental Co. today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tariq Jah.
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Did you know…
Sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) was first used in the early 1800s, and laughing gas is still one of the most common types of dental sedation today.
In need of emergency care?
Call (336) 323-2822 today!Did you know…
Place a knocked-out tooth in a container of cold milk to preserve the root while you head to your emergency appointment.
Need an appointment right away?
Call (336) 323-2822 today!Did you know…
If left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body and cause issues that impact your overall health.