Salivary Testing

Just like your physician uses bloodwork to help make recommendations to keep you healthy, we use salivary testing in the same way. There are 5 most harmful bacteria in the mouth that can determine if your oral health is putting your overall health at risk. A small amount of your saliva can help us determine if you have those bacteria or not. With the knowledge of which bacteria are present, we can recommend targeted therapies that are effective for you, then re-test over time to ensure we are maintaining results.

Taking gum measurements alone does not address the cause of why bone loss occurred in the first place and doesn’t tell us anything until after the damage has already occurred. With just a simple test, we can gain valuable insight into your health and work toward preventing future inflammation-related illnesses.

Diabetes Screening

More details coming soon.

We are passionate about healthy, restful sleep and want to help our patients achieve that at any age. At Glacier Point Dental, our patients receive a comprehensive screening process which includes detailed sleep and breathing questionnaires and thorough oral examinations to identify potential sleep disturbances.

By improving sleeping and breathing, we aim to reduce patient’s need for dental work throughout their lives as well as reduce risk of chronic diseases.

Sleep Apnea Screening and Treatment

The importance of sleep and breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects about 1 in 15 adults in the United States, with 85% of those affected remaining undiagnosed. Obesity is the primary factor in 50% of cases, although it can also occur in individuals with a healthy weight.

Epigenetics, modern diets and processed foods have contributed to smaller jaw sizes and underdeveloped airways, increasing the prevalence of sleep-related breathing issues. Poor sleep can significantly impact your health and longevity.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can cause or worsen other systemic medical conditions

Treatment Options

Oral Appliances - This is a non-invasive alternative to a CPAP. For mild and moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea, oral appliances are a great option. These appliances reposition the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep to keep the airway open and prevent the collapse of soft tissue, reducing sleep apnea and snoring.

CPAP - CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is prescribed through your physician. It is a machine that pushes air into your airway by way of a face mask. The air flow maintains the airway. Compliance is often an issue with CPAP as well. Some people complain about the cumbersome restrictions of movement, the noise or the embarrassment of wearing a mask to bedtime. CPAP is the gold standard for those with severe sleep apnea, but if you cannot tolerate one, we are happy to discuss other options.

Surgery - Upper and/or lower jaw surgery in adults provides the best long-term outcome. The idea of surgery can be daunting, which is why we prioritize children’s growth and development, including early orthodontic care, to help prevent the need for surgery or even CPAP later on.

Myofunctional Therapy - Myofunctional therapy includes a series of exercises that retrain the muscles of the mouth, face and throat to correct dysfunctional oral habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrust, and poor swallowing patterns. It has been shown to improve breathing, which alleviates symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders.

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