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- 2021
- January (6)
- Could a Dental Bridge Be a Better Choice Than Implants?
- Smoking Could Increase the Risk of an Implant Failure
- Your Food's Micronutrients Make a Difference in Your Dental Health
- Here's to Healthy Smiles in 2021!
- Help Your Dentures and Your Health by Taking Them Out at Night
- This Odd Tongue Condition Isn't Something To Fret Over
- 2020
- December (6)
- Direct Veneers Offer a Quick and Affordable Alternative to Traditional Veneers
- Local Anesthesia Makes for a More Pleasant and Pain-Free Dental Experience
- Endodontic Treatment Could Save a Tooth in Crisis
- Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Date Under the Mistletoe
- The Kind of Tooth Pain You Have May Identify the True Problem
- Keep Your Child's Fluoride Intake at a Safe but Effective Level
- November (6)
- Here's What To Do If Your Child Complains of a Toothache
- Targeted Tooth Removal Could Aid Treatment for Certain Bite Problems
- Smoking Increases Your Risk for Gum Disease
- Keep Your Implants Clean to Avoid a Damaging Gum Infection
- There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting
- Although Challenging, Cleaning Around Implants Boosts Their Longevity
- October (6)
- Far From a Safer Alternative to Smoking, Vaping Could Ruin Your Oral Health
- 4 Things You Can Do To Protect Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
- Call the Dentist Immediately If You Have a Loose Tooth
- Act Quickly With a Knocked Out Tooth to Ensure Its Long-Term Survival
- Preventing Gum Disease Could Help More Than Your Teeth and Gums
- Could a Metal Allergy Stop You From Getting Dental Implants?
- September (6)
- Improve Your Smile With These Dental Enhancements
- Eliminating an Infant's Lip or Tongue Tie Can Make Breastfeeding Easier
- Use Appropriate Hygiene Products for Maximum Smile Protection
- Want to Improve Your Athletic Performance? Try Tuning Up Your Dental Care
- Avoid This Numbing Agent to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- The Day After Labor Day: Renew Your Focus on Your Family's Oral Health
- August (6)
- A Shingles Outbreak Could Interrupt Your Dental Care
- Take These Steps to Alleviate Chronic Dry Mouth
- Acid Reflux Could Lead to Tooth Damage
- 4 Simple Things You Can Do to Stop Bad Breath
- Stop Plaque Buildup Around Your Implant-Supported Bridge With Flossing
- 3 Things That Could Help You Avoid Another Round With Gum Disease
- July (6)
- Getting Implants Can Be a Long Process - But Worth it
- Some Simple Cosmetic Techniques Could Help Your Smile Age Gracefully
- Whatever Your Vacation Plans This Year, Don't Forget Teeth and Gum Care
- 3 Reasons a Root Canal Treatment Might Fail and What You Can Do About It
- New Studies Show: Sealants Could Help Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay
- Replace Your Teeth in Stages With the Help of Dental Implants
- June (6)
- Your Gums and Bone Need to Be Healthy Before Getting Implants
- Without Prompt Intervention, Gum Disease Could Damage Tooth Roots
- Follow These 4 Tips for More Comfortable Eating With Chronic Jaw Pain
- Sedation Can Help a Child Receive Needed Dental Care Now and in the Future
- Reducing Your Child's Dental Anxiety Now Could Benefit Them for a Lifetime
- Instill These Habits in Your Child for a Lifetime of Great Dental Health
- May (7)
- Reducing Teeth Grinding Leads to Better Sleep and Better Dental Health
- Diet and Lifestyle Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
- 4 Things You Should Do - or Not Do - to Maintain Your Oral Appliance
- A Smile Makeover is a Transforming Experience
- The Graduation Season is the Perfect Time to Review Dental Health
- Friendly Bacteria Can Help Protect Our Mouths From Disease
- Too Much Sugar Can Wreck More Than Your Teeth
- April (6)
- Why and How to Save a Diseased Tooth
- Are Lasers the Future for Treating Advanced Tooth Decay?
- 3 Ways to Help Your Child Relax at the Dentist
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- These High-Tech Tools Help Your Veneers Look Attractive and Natural
- Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
- March (6)
- If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
- Consider Clear Aligners Instead of Braces for Your Teen
- This Rare Tongue Condition Often Looks Worse than it Actually is
- One Visit May Be All You Need to Restore a Chipped Tooth
- Here's How to Avoid Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction Surgery
- 3 Questions You Should Ask before Undergoing Teeth Whitening
- February (6)
- Removing Teeth Could Improve an Orthodontic Outcome
- It's Best to Avoid This Online Trend for Your Enamel's Sake
- A Loose Tooth is a Sign of Deeper Dental Trouble
- Uncovering Early Gum Disease Through Periodontal Probing
- Removing One or More Teeth Could Improve Orthodontic Outcomes
- 3 Tips to Making Mealtime Easier During TMD Flare-Ups
- January (6)
- A Root Canal Treatment Will Improve Your Health, Not Harm It
- Tobacco: One Baseball Tradition We Can Do Without
- No Matter When the New Decade Begins, Be Sure You're Partnered With Us for Your Dental Care
- You May Need Something Other Than Ointment to Clear up This Facial Rash
- 4 Common Causes for Gum Recession
- Is There a Better Way to Manage Pain Without Narcotics?
- 2019
- December (6)
- Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- Here's How to Cut Through All the Choices to Find Your Right Toothbrush
- Don't Worry About Dental Amalgam: It's Safe for Treating Cavities
- Follow These Holiday Toy Tips for Your Kids to Avoid Dental Injuries
- It Takes Artistry and Skill to Achieve the Right Color Balance for Your Veneers
- November (6)
- Keep Oral Care in Focus for a Family Member With Special Needs
- Topical Fluoride can Enhance Your Child's Dental Care
- Don't Delay Seeing the Dentist If You Suspect Gum Recession
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- For a Smooth Transition, Be Sure Your New Dentist Has Your Dental Records
- Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Oral Health in Top Shape
- October (6)
- You May Need an Endodontist for a Tooth With Interior Decay
- Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
- 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
- Dental Sealants Give Children an Added Boost Against Tooth Decay
- 4 Ways You Can Take Years off Your Smile
- Clean Your Implants Just Like Your Other Teeth
- September (6)
- 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
- Your Quest for a Dental Implant Might Be Interrupted by Bone Loss
- Your Reoccurring Sinus Infections May Actually Be Caused by Tooth Decay
- Improving Hygiene Skills Maximizes Removal of Disease-Causing Plaque
- Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
- Four Reasons Why Your Gums Deserve Your Care
- August (6)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Do a Little Extra Food Prep to Ease TMD Discomfort
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During Pregnancy
- Don't Let Summer Heat Increase Your Risk of Dental Disease
- July (7)
- 3 Ways to Protect Your Teeth in the Great Outdoors
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- Tooth Type and Condition can Affect Root Canal Therapy Effectiveness
- There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
- June (6)
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- 5 Ways to a Beautiful Wedding Day Smile
- Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
- Improve Your Dental Health by Mastering Your Brushing Skills
- Considering a Smile Makeover? Be Sure You Include Your Bite
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- May (6)
- Gum Disease Could be Affecting More Than Just Your Mouth
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- Here's How You Can Protect Your Child's Teeth from Tooth Decay
- Preserving the Pulp is Priority One with a Newly Erupted Permanent Tooth
- How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
- Jaw Joint Disorders and Fibromyalgia: Is There a Connection?
- April (6)
- A Detailed 'Smile Analysis' Sets the Stage for a Successful Makeover
- April Is National Facial Protection Month
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- March (6)
- A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
- What You Should Do to Protect an Older Loved One's Dental Health
- Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
- The 3 Top Ingredients That Make Your Toothpaste a Super Plaque Buster
- Why You Should Consider a Professional Procedure for Your Teeth Whitening
- Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
- February (6)
- Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
- Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
- Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- 4 Important Facts About Gum Recession and What You can do About It
- January (6)
- Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- Flossing Daily Around Implants will Help Prevent Losing Your Bridge
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
- 2018
- December (6)
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
- What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
- Dental Visits are Key to Detecting Early Developing Tooth Decay
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- November (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- October (6)
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
- What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
- September (6)
- Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- August (6)
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- Back to School Do's and Don'ts
- Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
- July (7)
- Mouthguards Found to be Effective in Preventing Teeth and Mouth Injuries
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Watch Out for Signs of Gum Recession
- June (6)
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
- 3 Advantages for Improving Your Smile with Composite Resins
- Finding the Right Solution for Your Gummy Smile
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- March (5)
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Baseball, Tobacco and Oral Cancer
- Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- January (5)
- 4 Areas We May Check During Your Older Loved One's Regular Dental Visit
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Office Fluoride Treatments Can Add Extra Protection to Your Child's Teeth
- Your Health Could Affect the Longevity of a Dental Implant
- Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
- 2017
- May (5)
- Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
- Artificial Sweeteners are By and Large a Safe Alternative to Sugar
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- April (5)
- Gum Disease Could Affect More than Your Teeth and Gums
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- A Solution for Restoring Adequate Bone for Dental Implants
- Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
- February (5)
- Don't Put Off Getting Treatment for Your Sensitive Teeth
- Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
- A Root Canal Treatment may be Your Best Chance to Save a Tooth
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- 2016
- November (5)
- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
- Don't Let an Eating Disorder Wreck Oral Health
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- September (5)
- Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
- Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- May (5)
- A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
- Dental Offices Hold to the Highest Standards to Protect Patients from Infection
- Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
- Treating a "Gummy" Smile Starts with Finding out the Cause
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- March (5)
- Beyond Their Marketing Claims, Most Toothpastes are Surprisingly Similar
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- 4 Advantages to Using Composite Resins for Restoring Teeth
- 2015
- December (5)
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
- Three Considerations for Working with Your Dentist on Your Smile Makeover
- 3 Tips for Denture Care to Help Them Last and Keep Your Mouth Healthy
- October (5)
- 3 Questions to Answer Before Your Smile Makeover
- You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- 2014
- September (5)
- Saving a Baby Tooth is the Best Option for Permanent Tooth Development
- Dry Mouth - Causes, Risks and Cures
- Bleeding Gums are a Possible Sign of Periodontal Gum Disease
- Determining the Cause of Tooth Looseness Key to Effective Treatment
- Successful Outcomes With Dentures Depends on Attention to Detail
- August (5)
- Composite Resins are a Viable Restoration Option for Mildly Defective Teeth
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Crown Lengthening can Increase Your Restoration Options
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmetic Bonding
- 2013
- 2012
- August (7)
- Don't Let Tooth Pain Linger — The Cost May Just Be Too High
- Understanding The Importance Of Dental X-Rays
- Tooth Replacement: It's Come a Long Way
- Your Smile Design: Perfection vs. the Natural Look
- Testing Your Knowledge on Caring for Your Dentures
- Designing A New Smile. What's involved?
- Testing your Knowledge: Dental Implants
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My Blog
Posts for: August, 2016

After several treatment sessions your periodontal (gum) disease is under control. But, while we may have won this battle, the war rages on. To keep an infection from re-occurring we'll have to remain on guard.
Gum disease begins and thrives on a thin film of bacteria and food particles on tooth surfaces called plaque. The infection usually begins as gingivitis, which causes the gums to become red and swollen (inflamed). Untreated it can develop into periodontitis, a more advanced form that progresses deeper into the gum tissues resulting in bone loss.
To treat the disease, we must remove all the plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) we can find no matter how deeply they've penetrated below the gum line. Since the deeper it extends the more likely surgical techniques may be necessary to consider, it's better to catch the disease in its earliest stages when plaque can be removed with hand instruments or ultrasonic equipment.
The appropriate treatment technique can effectively stop and even reverse gum disease's effects — but it won't change your susceptibility. Constant vigilance is the best way to significantly reduce your risk of another episode. In this case, our prevention goal is the same as in treatment: remove plaque.
It begins with you learning and applying effective brushing and flossing techniques, and being consistent with these habits every day. As your dentist, we play a role too: we may need to see you as often as every few weeks or quarter to perform meticulous cleaning above and below the gum line. We may also perform procedures on your gums to make it easier to maintain them and your teeth, including correcting root surface irregularities that can accumulate plaque.
Our aim is to reduce the chances of another infection as much as possible. "Fighting the good fight" calls for attention, diligence and effort — but the reward is continuing good health for your teeth and gums.
If you would like more information on continuing dental care after gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Cleanings.”

Since the late 19th Century, dentists have used established protocols to successfully prevent and treat tooth decay. But there've been changes to this approach the last few years to improve its effectiveness, changes we now refer to as Minimally Invasive Dentistry or MID.
The older approach for treating dental caries (tooth decay) follows the protocols established by Dr. G.V. Black, considered the father of modern dentistry. Black advocated removing not only decayed structure but also some of the healthier but vulnerable portions of a tooth, to avoid further decay and make the tooth easier to clean. This resulted in larger fillings, although they've become smaller as dental techniques have advanced.
MID, on the other hand, aims to remove as little tooth structure as possible while still effectively treating and preventing future decay. To achieve that goal we begin first with a complete assessment of a patient's individual decay risk, known as Caries Management By Risk Assessment (CAMBRA).
With CAMBRA, we're looking at other factors besides individual tooth health: a patient's hygiene, lifestyle and dietary habits; the types and amount of bacteria present; and the quality of saliva flow, needed to neutralize mouth acid. With these the results we develop a customized prevention and treatment strategy.
MID also focuses on detecting dental caries as early as possible. Besides traditional x-rays, we're beginning to use other methods like dental microscopes, laser fluorescence, infrared photography or optical scanning. Early detection leads to early intervention, and with techniques that are much less invasive than the traditional approach.
The new approach also changes how we repair decayed teeth. We're increasingly using air abrasion, a technology that uses fine particles in a pressurized air stream to remove softer decayed tooth material and less healthy structure than the traditional dental drill. We're also using composite resin and other advanced materials for filings: these tooth-colored materials are stronger than previous versions and are quickly taking the place of metal amalgam, requiring less structural removal to accommodate them.
MID's core principles are early disease detection, proactive prevention and treatment with less structural removal. With this enhanced approach to effective dentistry, we're keeping your teeth healthy with minimal discomfort, lower costs and less long-term impact.
If you would like more information on the benefits of the MID approach, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

In the last half century, fluoride has become an effective weapon against tooth decay. The naturally occurring mineral helps strengthen enamel, the teeth's hard, protective cover.
Although it's safe for consumption overall, too much during early tooth development can lead to fluorosis, a brownish, mottled staining in enamel. To avoid it, a child's daily consumption of fluoride should optimally be kept at around 0.05-0.07 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, or an amount equal to one-tenth of a grain of salt per two pounds of weight.
The two main therapeutic fluoride sources have limits to help maintain this balance: utilities that fluoridate drinking water are required to add no more than 4 parts fluoride per million (ppm) of water; toothpaste manufacturers likewise only add a small amount of fluoride compared to clinical gels and pastes dentists apply to teeth for added decay protection.
But drinking water and toothpaste aren't the only sources of fluoride your child may encounter. Even if you have a non-fluoridated water supply, you should still keep a close watch on the following items that could contain fluoride, and discuss with us if you should take any action in regard to them.
Infant formula. The powdered form especially if mixed with fluoridated water can result in fluoride concentrations 100 to 200 times higher than breast or cow's milk. If there's a concern, use fluoride-free distilled or bottled spring water to mix formula.
Beverages. Many manufacturers use fluoridated water preparing a number of packaged beverages including sodas (two-thirds of those manufactured exceed .6 ppm), soft drinks and reconstituted fruit juices. You may need to limit your family's consumption of these kinds of beverages.
Certain foods. Processed foods like cereals, soups or containing fish or mechanically separated chicken can have high fluoride concentrations, especially if fluoridated water was used in their processing. When combined with other fluoride sources, their consumption could put children at higher risk for fluorosis.
Toothpaste. Although mentioned previously as a moderate fluoride source, you should still pay attention to how much your child uses. It doesn't take much: in fact, a full brush of toothpaste is too much, even for an adult. For an infant, you only need a smear on the end of the brush; as they grow older you can increase it but to no more than a pea-sized amount.
If you would like more information on fluoride and how it strengthens teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Fluoride & Fluoridation in Dentistry.”

Sleep — you'll spend a third of your life in its blissful embrace. But it isn't a luxury: you need it as much as nutrition and exercise. An occasional bad night's sleep leaves you irritable and drowsy; a bad night's sleep every night could endanger your health.
One of the most common causes for chronic poor sleep is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the airway becomes blocked and you stop breathing temporarily. The blockage may be due to an oversized tongue, tonsils or uvula, an abnormal jaw or chin structure, or nasal polyps and congestion. When your brain notices you're not breathing, it rouses you just enough to relieve the blockage. These incidents can occur and end in seconds several times a night without you being aware of it.
This interrupts your normal sleep patterns, including the critical rapid eye movement (REM) of deep sleep that occurs at different times during the night. The results of not getting enough REM sleep are quite unhealthy: besides irritability and reduced concentration, poor REM sleep is linked to depression, headaches, decreased sex drive, acid reflux, high blood pressure or the onset of diabetes. Your night time experience — as well as your sleep partner's — won't be pleasant either as you may experience night time sweating and snoring.
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated. Our first considered treatment is a custom-fitted night guard you wear while you sleep that holds the tongue back from the airway. If your apnea is more severe, you may need to consider continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which uses a machine to pump pressurized air through a mask you wear while sleeping to force the airway open. You might also benefit from surgery to remove excess soft tissue obstructing the airway.
If you or your family has noticed any of these symptoms mentioned, make an appointment to see us — we're trained to look for oral signs in the mouth that may indicate sleep apnea. The sooner we can implement a treatment strategy, the sooner you'll begin experiencing a good night's sleep and better health.
If you would like more information on sleep apnea and what to do about it, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry.”