When it comes to getting effective care for irregular breathing caused by sleep disorders, you have options. As an alternative to the traditional CPAP machine, our Dallas dental office offers the benefits of oral appliance therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea care.
Oral appliances offer patients the following advantages:
No Forced Air: CPAP machines help patients breathe during sleep by sending a steady stream of air through a face mask. While this is successful, it’s often a strange experience to adjust to and can make it hard to sleep. Oral appliances do not force air into passageways – they simply make it easier for you to breathe on your own.
No Masks and Heavy Equipment: As mentioned above, CPAP machines require the use of a face mask, which is attached to another appliance that produces the flow of air. The mask is placed over your nose and mouth and is held in place by a series of straps that wrap around the back of your head. Oral appliances are small, like retainers, and do not create the discomfort that many patients experience with CPAP equipment.
Better Comfort During Sleep: Because using CPAP means you have to wear an appliance attached to the front of your face, it can be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. As they are not attached to bulky machinery, snore guards for sleep apnea do not limit sleeping positions, so you can comfortably enjoy a night of restful sleep.
Portability: CPAP machines can be cumbersome to travel with, as they essentially become another piece of luggage. In contrast, oral appliances are small enough to fit into your pocket, even in their carrying cases, making it easy for you to take your sleep therapy appliance wherever you need to go.
Oral appliances work to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea by holding your jaw in a position that promotes the easy, natural flow of air through passes. There’s no need for forced airflow or for large, uncomfortable pieces of equipment. Oral appliances for sleep disordered breathing make it simple to find a comfortable solution for sleep apnea. For more information on how you may benefit from comfortable and convenient sleep therapy with oral appliances, contact Dr. Jeff Colquitt for your complimentary consultation.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
Preventing Gum Disease: Beyond Brushing and Flossing
Gum disease problems start off small, but can quickly snowball to cause serious issues for your teeth and overall oral health. In many instances, these problems can be prevented with some better choices about health, wellbeing, and your hygiene routine.
Stopping gum disease in its tracks takes some simple steps, beyond the standard routine of brushing and flossing, which include:
Making Smart Diet Choices – Certain foods, such as leafy greens, create a natural scrubbing effect when consumed that keeps teeth clear of debris, which can settle on enamel and develop below the gum line. Making better diet choices helps to prevent the development of bacteria and acid that damage teeth and soft tissue and is also wise for your overall well-being.
Reducing or Eliminating Bad Habits – Smoking, in particular, or use of any tobacco products elevates your risk for gum disease. While that may seem minor compared to the other health risks of smoking, gum disease directly contributes to tooth loss, which is a difficult health problem for many dental patients.
Asking Your Doctor about Medications You’re Using – Certain hormonal medications can increase your chances for gum disease by creating dry mouth. Patients with dry mouth do not have enough natural saliva to sweep away debris and bacteria throughout the day, allowing these materials to rest on teeth and soft tissue for longer than normal. If you are on medication that could present oral health problems, ask your doctor or our dental office about the best ways to combat problematic side effects.
Increasing Routine Dental Visits – While visiting the dentist more than twice a year might not be high on your priority list, it’s essential if you’re at an elevated risk for periodontal problems. Boosting the number of times you visit the dentist for an exam and cleaning allows us to keep an eye on your oral health and thoroughly clean teeth more often, therefore giving bacteria and plaque less of an opportunity to damage your health.
For patients whose soft tissue health has declined, seeking treatment as early as possible helps you keep your natural teeth and restore your overall oral health. Treatments like deep cleanings and even periodontal surgery can help you keep your teeth and enjoy improved health.
For more information on how our Dallas dentist, Dr. Jeff Colquitt, helps prevent and treat gum disease, contact our office for your next dental appointment.
Stopping gum disease in its tracks takes some simple steps, beyond the standard routine of brushing and flossing, which include:
Making Smart Diet Choices – Certain foods, such as leafy greens, create a natural scrubbing effect when consumed that keeps teeth clear of debris, which can settle on enamel and develop below the gum line. Making better diet choices helps to prevent the development of bacteria and acid that damage teeth and soft tissue and is also wise for your overall well-being.
Reducing or Eliminating Bad Habits – Smoking, in particular, or use of any tobacco products elevates your risk for gum disease. While that may seem minor compared to the other health risks of smoking, gum disease directly contributes to tooth loss, which is a difficult health problem for many dental patients.
Asking Your Doctor about Medications You’re Using – Certain hormonal medications can increase your chances for gum disease by creating dry mouth. Patients with dry mouth do not have enough natural saliva to sweep away debris and bacteria throughout the day, allowing these materials to rest on teeth and soft tissue for longer than normal. If you are on medication that could present oral health problems, ask your doctor or our dental office about the best ways to combat problematic side effects.
Increasing Routine Dental Visits – While visiting the dentist more than twice a year might not be high on your priority list, it’s essential if you’re at an elevated risk for periodontal problems. Boosting the number of times you visit the dentist for an exam and cleaning allows us to keep an eye on your oral health and thoroughly clean teeth more often, therefore giving bacteria and plaque less of an opportunity to damage your health.
For patients whose soft tissue health has declined, seeking treatment as early as possible helps you keep your natural teeth and restore your overall oral health. Treatments like deep cleanings and even periodontal surgery can help you keep your teeth and enjoy improved health.
For more information on how our Dallas dentist, Dr. Jeff Colquitt, helps prevent and treat gum disease, contact our office for your next dental appointment.
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