Posts

Sleep troubles? How we can help with snoring.

Are you waking up every morning feeling more tired than the night before? Are you being kicked by your partner all night because of your snoring? Sleep doesn’t come easily to everyone.

Did you know dentists have special training to deal with OSA, Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Your dentist can recognize your risk factors for sleep apnea from the size of your jaw opening (too small) and size of your tongue (too large). Both of which can obstruct your airway. Together with your GP we can work towards your good night’s rest.

Sleep apnea doesn’t just make you feel tired, it also affects your oral health. OSA forces you to breath out of your mouth all night which can cause dry mouth which can lead to tooth decay, plaque build up, mouth sores, and periodontal disease.

How we can help you sleep:

When you come in for your next appointment with Dr. Ross, let us know about your sleeping problems. We will contact your GP and request that they send you for a sleep study. Together with your physician we will determine if oral appliance therapy is an appropriate course of action and you will be referred back to our office so we can make your appliance.

Oral appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea are a non-invasive way to prevent airway collapse in people with mild to moderate OSA. Many people find it more comfortable and convenient than a CPAP machine. While studies show 92% of patients wearing oral appliances found snoring to be either eliminated or significantly improved.

We want to help you feel rested and refreshed!

Call us today to book an appointment!

 

Source

For older adults, dry mouth might be related to medications.

For older adults dry mouth is a common problem. As we begin taking more medications as we age our likelihood of experiencing some degree of dry mouth increases. Medications used to treat urinary incontinence, depression, insomnia, and anxiety, as well as diuretics used to treat high blood pressure are all linked to dry mouth symptoms.

In fact, studies have shown that medications used to treat urinary incontinence were nearly six times more likely to cause dry mouth than a placebo.

This is problematic as dry mouth means you don’t have enough saliva (spit) in your mouth to keep it moist. A dry mouth leads to bacteria growth and a much higher risk of decay and oral infections.

It’s important to inform your dentist of any new medications you are taking so that we can monitor their affect on your oral health. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry mouth it is important to mention it at your next regularly scheduled cleaning appointment.

Call us to set up your next cleaning appointment! (604) 936-1263