June 7, 2011

Carb Cravings Linked to Poor Sleep in Teens

A study presented at the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies showed that strong cravings for carbohydrates in teens were in direct relation to their levels of daytime sleepiness. The kids with excessive daytime sleepiness were 50% more likely to crave carbs compared to kids who didn’t feel sleepy. Kids who craved carbohydrates were also much more […]
June 3, 2011

Men With ED Should Be Screened for Sleep Apnea

Researchers presenting at the American Urological Association meeting in Washington, D.C. suggest that men with erectile dysfunction should be tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study found a link between the two disorders in 870 middle-aged men who are part of the Law Enforcement Cardiac Screening Program. According to lead researcher Dr. Boback Berookhim “The study is the largest […]
June 2, 2011

Worried About Germs?

No matter where you go today there seems to be antiseptic wipes or germ-killing gels placed for your protection. We wipe down the shopping carts at the grocery store and clean the TV remotes with alcohol wipes in the hopes we are protecting ourselves from germs. The makers of Listerine and Reach oral rinse products recently completed a survey about […]
May 27, 2011

Asthma Breathing Problems Worse At Night

Studies have shown a link between asthma and sleep problems such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Coughing, wheezing and other breathing issues frequently become worse at night leading to sleep deprivation. According to Dr. Stanley Fineman of the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic “Airways tend to have more spasms at night due to normal hormonal fluctuations.” Asthma occurs when […]
May 25, 2011

What is Sleep Apnea?

When people talk about sleep apnea they are usually referring to obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition that occurs during sleep when the muscles in the throat relax, blocking the flow of air.The sleeper stops breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer.  This causes the amount of oxygen in the blood to drop […]
May 20, 2011

Mouth Can Give Clues to Other Health Problems

We know that gum disease is linked to many conditions affecting the body such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. But there are also conditions that may show early clues in the health of your teeth and gums – sometimes before other symptoms appear. Here are a few that science has proven: Tooth Loss and Osteoporosis. The disease that weakens […]
May 17, 2011

Add Impotence to List of OSA Symptoms

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has now been linked to erectile dysfunction. Researchers at Mount Sinai in New York conducted a study of 870 men. The average age was in the late 40’s and their body mass index average was in the obese range. Sixty-three percent of the men had OSA and once the researchers adjusted for other health issues and […]
May 12, 2011

College Kids Need the Dentist Too

Classes are winding down at colleges and universities all over the country. If you’ve got a child in college they will soon be home for the summer. While most students joke about the “Freshman 15” weight gain that can occur when they leave home and indulge all their unhealthy eating choices, at the office we typically see “Freshman Cavities”. Students […]
May 11, 2011

Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening Important

Oral, head and neck cancer refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck region. Since this is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week I thought some additional information on the subject would be useful. Common warning signs are: Red or white patch in the mouth that lasts more than two weeks Change in voice or […]
May 5, 2011

Sinusitis May Be Caused by Dental Infection

Chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed and swollen for an extended period of time. This painful condition leads to about 13 million visits to physicians each year. For many people a bout of antibiotics can solve their problem. Other patients aren’t so lucky and resort to surgery – which doesn’t always work. A group from […]
May 4, 2011

Chronic Headaches Can Be Caused By TMJ Dysfunction

Headaches are a common reason for doctor visits leading to invasive tests, referrals to specialists and many times, no diagnosis. It is frustrating for patients to discover that physicians cannot pinpoint the reason for the intense pain that plagues them. While the causes of many headache episodes are never found, a lucky few find their way to a neuromuscular dentist. […]
April 28, 2011

Sleep Difficulties Linked to Metabolic Syndrome

Snoring, trouble falling asleep and feeling tired upon waking are all signs that may predict the development of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition linked to weight gain, heart disease and stroke. According to a study published a few months ago in the journal Sleep loud snoring was associated with more than twice the risk of developing metabolic […]
April 27, 2011

Save Your Heart – Treat Your Gums Right

The link between gum disease and cardiovascular problems has been well established by scientific research. The gum disease causes an inflammatory response in the body and inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The bacteria commonly found in gum infections have been discovered in plaques in coronary arteries. The good news is […]
April 19, 2011

Sleep Deprivation Dangers in the News

From the tragic bus accident in the Bronx that killed 15 people to the continued reports of air traffic controllers falling asleep on duty, the dangers of going without proper sleep have been making news. Last year AAA polled drivers and found that one third of them admitted to falling asleep or nodding off while driving in the past year. […]
April 13, 2011

Summertime Sleep Issues

Summer will be here before we know it – even if it did feel like Winter would never end! Summer tends to bring changes in our regular routines. The kids are out of school, your favorite shows are off for the summer or maybe you like the summer replacements better, and there is always vacation time. These changes all add […]
April 6, 2011

Sleep Apnea Especially Dangerous for Diabetics

A study from the University of Birmingham in the UK reported that people with obstructive sleep apnea that also have Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of losing their sight and increased foot problems. The study looked at a group of people who had type 2 diabetes, out of that group more than half also had obstructive sleep apnea. […]
April 1, 2011

Root Canal Awareness Week

The American Association of Endodontists published a survey that showed that 70 percent of American fear losing a natural tooth – the same percentage that fear root canals, the procedure that can save that same natural tooth. Most of the fear of root canals is based on outdated ideas of the treatment.  Almost 90 percent of patients who had undergone […]
March 29, 2011

Don't Skip Those Dental X-rays

“I’ll do them at my next visit” is an all too common response when patients are told it is time for dental x-rays. No, we don’t do them for fun and no, we don’t do them to pad the bill. Dental x-rays are an essential tool for diagnosing many oral health issues that your dentist cannot see with the naked […]
March 24, 2011

Diagnose Sleep Apnea at Home

It is a life threatening medical condition that effects millions. But many people are going without getting diagnosed for the sleep apnea because of the hassle and the expense. Almost 20 million American’s may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, in part due to the growing obesity problem. The rise in sleep apnea cases is also adding to our national […]
March 23, 2011

Young People Getting More Oral Cancers

Did you know that squamous cell cancer of the tongue has been rising in younger Americans 18 to 44 years of age? The largest increase seems to be among young women. The researchers noted that historically, cancers of the oral cavity were associated with older men who had a history of smoking and alcohol use (like actor Michael Douglas). During […]