Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea Vs. the Internet

While trolling through the internet the other night I discovered many websites, forums and user groups that discuss the ongoing battles that patients seem to have with the CPAP machines they use to treat their obstructive sleep apnea.  I notice that the traffic on these sites seems to spike in the middle of the night – when everyone should be sleeping.  The folks posting on these sites complain of dry mouth and headaches and coughs and sinus problems and a myriad of other problems associated with using their CPAP.

One posting caught my eye simply because the idea expressed was extremely dangerous.  One individual was searching for an option other than CPAP and wondered about oral appliance therapy.  Another member of the forum suggested the “cheap route” of purchasing a $1 boil and bite football mouthguard instead of being fit for an actual oral appliance.  Fortunately another member of the group immediately posted the facts – that an over-the-counter mouth guard is only designed to protect the teeth during sports.   An oral appliance designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea is designed to move the jaw forward and, in doing so, keeps the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth from blocking the airway during sleep.  Oral appliance therapy is usually covered by medical insurance or Medicare (for those over 65) just like CPAP treatment.

Obstructive sleep apnea is an extremely dangerous disease and can be life threatening – don’t attempt to self-treat using products purchased over the internet or using advice from chat rooms.  Here at StoneRidge Dental we work as a team with your sleep physician.  Please contact my Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696 to schedule a consultation – discover whether oral appliance therapy may be the perfect alternative to treat your obstructive sleep apnea.

Posted in Sleep Apnea | No Comments »

Do You Need An Electric Toothbrush?

Recently Ric Romero,  a health reporter at KABC in Los Angeles, teamed up with Consumer Reports to test electric toothbrushes.  Because some electric toothbrushes can cost over $100 it is important for consumers to talk to their dentists about whether they need an electric toothbrush.  If it is determined that an electric brush would be helpful in keeping your gums and teeth healthy then Mr. Romero’s research might help.

Most dentists agree that for the majority of  patients using  a manual brush is just fine – providing they are brushing correctly.  For patients with mobility issues or with a history of gum disease an electric toothbrush can make it easier to remove more plaque than a manual brush.

Consumer Reports tested 10 electric toothbrushes with prices ranging from $15 to $140.  The panelists doing the testing found some of the top-rated toothbrushes a little uncomfortable to use.  The Philips Sonicare Flexcare was highly rated but some panelists felt it was “too much vibration”.  Most of the panelists preferred the Oral-B toothbrush.  Consumer Reports suggests the Oral-B Professional Care 1000 for around $70.

One of the advantages of using an electric toothbrush is the built-in timer.  Most patients using a manual brush do not spend the full two minutes required for a good cleaning.   If you are unsure about your tooth brushing technique just ask for a demonstration at your next visit.

Please contact my Columbus, Ohio office today at 614-476.6696  to schedule your dental hygiene visit and learn more about proper tooth brushing techniques.  Your healthy smile is our highest priority!

Posted in Oral Heath Care | No Comments »

Severity of Sleep Disordered Breathing Linked to Obesity

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia attributes the increase in severity of sleep disordered breathing (i.e. obstructive sleep apnea) cases to increases in obesity levels.

The researchers from the University of Newcastle reviewed almost 15,000 diagnostic sleep studies made between 1987 and 2007.  The median body weight of patients increased by 11% for men and 16% for women over that time period.  For every unit increase in body mass index (BMI) the number of sleep related breathing events (stopping breathing during sleep) increased by 5.5 events per hour for men and by 2.8 events per hour for women.

Weight loss is the obvious answer but is a slow and difficult process for most patients.  Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is vitally important and should not wait until weight loss attempts have failed.  For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for patients with severe sleep apnea that cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, an oral appliance may be the most effective treatment for you.

Oral appliance’s for treating obstructive sleep apnea are custom made in a dental laboratory and work by repositioning your lower jaw during sleep to keep your airway open.   In Columbus, Ohio please contact me at 614-476-6696 to arrange your consultation to discuss oral appliance therapy for your obstructive sleep apnea.

Posted in Sleep Apnea | No Comments »

George Washington’s Dentures

“What were George Washington’s false teeth made of?” is a common trivia question.  Find the answer at the National Museum of Dentistry located in Baltimore, Maryland.  The museum hardly considers the question trivial however, the dentures worn by our first President are the star exhibit at the museum.  They are not carved of wood as many visitors guess, but are made from a much more durable material – hippopotamus ivory.

The National Museum of Dentistry is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and hosts about 10,000 visitors annually.   In addition to the famous false teeth, the museum includes exhibits such as Queen Victoria’s personal dental instruments, toothbrushes throughout the ages and an Arctic whale known as a narwhal.  The narwhal is best known for the six foot tooth growing out of its head.

Children visiting the museum get to put on lab coats and play dentist.  They learn to floss and brush correctly using a giant mouth for practice.  Parents will remember the old toothpaste jingles played at the museum.

The most popular exhibit are those famous dentures which were made by President Washington’s favorite dentist in Philadelphia.  Washington only had one tooth in his mouth by the time he became President in 1789.  According to the museum’s director of communications Washington lost his teeth due to illnesses.  “We think he had many illnesses throughout his life, it was tough living back then” according to Amy Pelinsky.  “And the medicine was tough too… the medicine actually made your teeth fall out”.  So even though we know he brushed, George Washington still lost his teeth.

Today’s dental care is a far cry from colonial times.  If you have lost one tooth or several you have choices about what type of replacement to use.  The best option for most people is a dental implant. Dental implants are placed into the jaw bone and serve as an artificial tooth root – a dental crown is placed over the implant and you have a restoration that looks and feels completely natural.  Implants can also be used to anchor dentures for those patients who have lost most or all of their teeth.  Utilizing a combination of implants, cosmetic crowns and dental veneers you can achieve the smile you have always dreamed of.

Please contact my Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696.   Ask one of my team members at  how cosmetic dentistry including dental veneers, crowns and implants can help restore your smile.

Posted in cosmetic, implants | No Comments »

Dentists and Disaster Relief

Dentists are being given a bigger role in disaster relief efforts according to bills passed in congress.  Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak introduced HR903 which includes the following:

Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2009 – Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) revise the National Health Security Strategy to include increasing the preparedness, response capabilities, and surge capacity of dental facilities and effective utilization of any available mobile dental assets; and (2) provide that federal dental entities shall carry out activities under the public health and medical response training program.

One major area of concern following any type disaster, whether it be natural such as hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes or man made, such as a terrorist attack is the health of patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.   Disasters of all types cause people to either lose their belongings or lose electrical power for extended periods.  People suffering from sleep apnea who utilize CPAP machines to maintain their breathing during sleep are placed at severe risk during emergency events.

Dental sleep specialists can fit these patients with oral appliances to treat their obstructive sleep apnea.  This new legislation will allow emergency funding in these cases.

The importance of dentists in the aftermath of a disaster was proven after Hurricane Katrina.  With the help of donations The American Sleep Foundation was able to provide more than 1,300 OSA sufferers with treatment.

CPAP treatment is the gold standard for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.  However, vast numbers of patients cannot tolerate sleeping with the CPAP and over time most stop using the machine leaving them without treatment for their disease – and these are patients not living in disaster areas.

If you are unhappy with your CPAP or have stopped using it altogether please contact Stoneridge Dental Care today at 614-476-6696 to discover how an oral appliance can give you a good night’s sleep.

Posted in Sleep Apnea | No Comments »

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The majority of patients suffering from periodontal disease do not realize they have the condition.  If you don’t get a dental checkup twice a year you may be well on your way to losing your teeth and increasing the odds that you will suffer from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.  Since gum disease is preventable and easily treatable in the early stages it is important to know the signs.

The first noticeable symptom of periodontal disease is usually bad breath.  This is not your typical “onions for  lunch” bad breath.  This is a chronic, foul odor that won’t go away even after brushing and flossing.  If you have chronic bad breath you should also visit your physician to rule out diseases such as diabetes but since the majority of our population suffers from undiagnosed gum disease it is the most likely cause of the problem.

Healthy gums are a nice shade of pink.  If your gums are red or purple and they appear to be swollen around your teeth you probably have periodontal disease.

Gums that are tender or sore and bleed easily are another sign.  It is not normal for gums to bleed when brushing or flossing.  Bleeding, sore gums are a sure sign of infection and you should seek treatment as soon as possible.

Pain when chewing can be another sign that periodontal disease is advancing.  Pain that is felt only in one tooth can signal a cracked tooth or the need or a root canal.  Pain that is spread throughout your mouth is more likely a sign of serious gum disease.

What happens if gum disease is not treated?  Several things – the  teeth will become loose, this causes the bone in the jaw to begin to deteriorate leading to eventual tooth and bone loss.  Beyond your mouth, the chronic inflammation and infection spreads bacteria to other organs including the heart.  If you are a woman of child-bearing age you should be aware that bacteria from infected gums have been found in amniotic fluid and linked to premature births.

Now that you know the signs of periodontal disease and how important healthy gums are for your smile and for the rest of your body it is time to to schedule your appointment.  If the reason that you have been putting off treatment is due to fear or anxiety – don’t worry.  Anxiety free care is available – just ask about it when you make your appointment.  Please call my Gahanna, Ohio office at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your consultation.

Posted in Oral Heath Care, sedation dentistry | No Comments »

Dental Technology

I was recently interviewed by Angie’s List about technology in the dental office.  Please take a minute to listen to the podcast and then feel free to contact me about the dental technology I use in my practice at StoneRidge Dental Care in Gahanna, Ohio.

Posted in Home | No Comments »

Back to School

It is that time of year again – back to school preparations are underway.  Kindergarten to college age, families are busy shopping for school supplies, new school clothes and desperately searching for the perfect backpack.  Many students are also undergoing back-to-school physicals because of participation in school sports.

Don’t forget to schedule the dental check-up as well.  For college age kids this is the last chance to spot problems before they crop up when your son or daughter is far from home.  For younger children this is a good opportunity to arrange their dental visit before school and extracurricular activities overflow the family schedule.

Children who are participating in sports should be fitted for a mouthguard to protect their teeth during play.  If you have a child that is participating in sports at a very advanced level you may want to discuss a performance mouthguard like the Makkar Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM).  PPM mouthguards are used by elite athletes in many sports and are scientifically proven to improve performance.

The school year can also be a stressful time.  Many young people, particularly high school and college age students, react to stress by grinding their teeth during sleep.  This condition is called bruxism and can cause jaw problems as well as wearing down or breaking teeth.  As an experienced neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Levy can diagnose and treat nocturnal teeth grinding preventing further damage and discomfort.

Please contact our Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696 to schedule examinations for your family.  Our office is mercury-free and utilizes digital x-rays to reduce radiation exposure  – your family’s overall health and their healthy smiles are important to us – please call today.

Posted in Mercury Free, Oral Heath Care, Teeth Grinding | No Comments »

Common Myths About Your Tooth Decay

A faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine recently wrote an article outlining common dental myths – here are a few dental myths debunked:

• Losing baby teeth to tooth decay is OK. Myth – Some people believe this since baby teeth fall out anyway but decay in baby teeth can damage the developing adult teeth under the gums.  If baby teeth are lost too early the permanent teeth may not be positioned correctly and need orthodontics later on.
• Tooth decay only affects children and young people. Not true!  In adults and seniors common drugs such as sedatives, antihistamines,  diuretics (used to treat high blood pressure), and antidepressants can cause saliva production to slow down.   Since saliva bathes and cleans the teeth this means that oral problems will increase.  Our gums naturally recede with age and these receding gums can result in decay along the roots of the teeth.
• Osteoporosis only affects the hips and spine. People don’t think about it but teeth are held in place by the bone of your jaw.  Lose the jaw bone and you lose your teeth.  Of course, if you lose your teeth (due to gum disease or decay) you will also begin to lose jaw bone even if you don’t suffer from osteoporosis.  A good diet that includes calcium and vitamins D and K can help protect you.

Tooth decay is not something that can be ignored whether you are a toddler, teenager or an adult of any age.  Dental cavities that are not treated will eventually cause pain – usually at the most inconvenient times (holidays, weekends or just before you leave on vacation).

Screening for cavities at Stone Ridge Dental care includes using digital radiography and an instrument called Diagnodent to screen for cavities in hard to see areas. If cavities are discovered they will be treated using modern dental materials – not old fashioned mercury based amalgams.  The tooth colored dental resins match the color of your teeth and provide a safe, attractive restoration  for your cavity.  In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact us today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.

Posted in Mercury Free, Oral Heath Care, cosmetic | No Comments »

Reasons to Smile

Some days it feels like there isn’t a whole lot to smile about but those are the days when smiling will help you the most!  The human face contains 44 muscles that allow us to make thousands of facial expressions, including many types of smiles.

It has been proven that the simple act of smiling sends a message to your brain that you are happy.  This chemical message makes it to the brain even if the emotion isn’t real.  In a 1984 article in Science a study showed that when participants mimicked different emotional expressions, their bodies produced physiological changes that reflected that emotion.  A German study discovered that people felt happy just by holding a small pen clenched between their teeth, which imitated a smile.

Smiling is also contagious – when you are around someone who is happy and smiling it is almost impossible not to join in.  In fact, studies have found that simply seeing a friend smile will stimulate your facial muscles to do the same!

If you are afraid to smile in company, or hide your smile behind your hand you are depriving yourself and your loved ones of happiness.  There are many choices in cosmetic dentistry today that can give you a dazzling smile that you will want to share with the world.

Something as simple as dental bleaching can easily brighten up an otherwise nice, but dingy smile.  Dental bonding techniques and materials can repair many chipped teeth.  Dental veneers are a wonderful option for creating brand new smiles while retaining most of your own tooth structure.  Lifelike and long-lasting, dental veneers can correct the appearance  misshapen, chipped or crowded teeth.

Start smiling again – in the Columbus area contact my office today at 614-476-6696 to schedule a consultation.

Posted in Home | No Comments »