While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines have long been the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dental appliances have become a popular and effective alternative for many patients.

Dental appliances are small devices that fit in your mouth like a retainer and help position your jaw and tongue so your airway is unobstructed during sleep. How can people with OSA benefit from using a dental appliance?

Comfort and Ease of Use

Dental appliances, also known as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), are known for being much more comfortable to wear and use than CPAP machines [1].

Unlike CPAP machines, which can feel bulky and cumbersome, dental appliances are custom-fitted to your mouth and designed to be more discreet. This makes them easier to wear throughout the night, encouraging better adherence to treatment and improving overall sleep quality.

Portability

Dental appliances are lightweight and compact, making them highly portable. Patients who travel frequently find it easy to pack their dental appliance without the need for additional equipment, distilled water, or electrical outlets.

This portability means patients can maintain their sleep apnea treatment even while on the go, reducing the chances of sleep apnea symptoms recurring during travel.

Reduced Noise

CPAP machines often produce noise, which can be disruptive to both the user and their bed partner. However, dental appliances are not battery-operated and make no noise, allowing for a more peaceful sleeping environment.

This can be particularly beneficial for couples, as it minimizes disturbances that could otherwise affect both partners’ sleep. Those who can’t tolerate CPAP because of the noise may find dental appliances are the better option [2]. 

Improved Sleep Quality

Some OSA patients find that dental appliances can significantly improve their sleep quality. By keeping the airway open without using a machine while sleeping, these devices can facilitate deeper and more restful sleep, leading to increased daytime alertness and improved overall health from reduced sleep apnea symptoms.

Custom Fit for Your Comfort

There are different types of dental appliances patients can use for OSA, but ones custom-crafted by your dentist are made to fit the unique structures of your mouth and jaw [3].

This customization can lead to improved comfort and better treatment outcomes for patients. Since the device fits much like a retainer and is custom-made, it can be a more comfortable and sustainable form of treatment.

Considering a Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea?

Dental appliances offer a viable and effective alternative for managing sleep apnea. With their comfort, portability, and ease of use, they have become the preferred choice for many patients.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or have been diagnosed with the condition, ask your dentist or sleep specialist whether a dental appliance can help you improve your sleep quality, reduce OSA symptoms, and enhance your overall health.

Sources:

1. https://www.aadsm.org/oral_appliance_therapy.php   
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dental-appliances-for-sleep-apnea-do-they-work-2021042822476 
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6956298/ 

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Make a Dentist Appointment

Although it might feel like your tooth is fine at the moment, you need to make a dentist appointment right away. Call and tell them what happened and ask when they can fit you in. The following suggestions will only last a few days at the absolute most. You need to get your tooth repaired as soon as possible!

Make Use of Dental Cement

Over-the-counter dental cement can usually be found at your local pharmacy. If you apply this to your filling, it can substitute as a protective layer if your dentist appointment is a couple days away. If you had a crown placed over your filling and it came loose, you can try to fit the crown over the tooth. If you choose to do this, it’s imperative that you clean the crown first. You can also use the dental cement to temporarily “glue” your crown back on.

Try Clove Oil for Pain

Since your cavity is the result of eroded enamel, your affected tooth is going to be pretty sensitive. You may experience a mild pain from temperature or exposure, or it may be intense. To help cope with the pain, you can try clove essential oil. It’s relatively inexpensive and can be found at most supermarkets. Dab a very small amount—about a Q-Tip size—onto your cavity to help ease your tooth pain.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

It’s important to keep your mouth clean while your filling is exposed. You don’t want any food particles or bacteria making a home in there. Carefully remove food debris, brush gently around the area, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. You may also choose to rinse with warm salt water, which may help ease pain.

Sugar-Free Gum Can Help

As with dental cement, sugar-free gum can work as a temporary filling. It may even help ease your tooth sensitivity. Never use gum that has sugar, otherwise it can make the cavity worse and irritate the area. Simply chew a piece of gum and place over the area. Keep it on for as often as you’re able to until your appointment.

When you lose a filling, don’t panic! You will need to see your dentist as soon as you can, but it’s not exactly a dental emergency. You can employ the use of these materials and practices to help you out in the meantime. Remember, seeing your dentist can fix the cavity right up. Fillings don’t last forever and you’ll need to replace yours eventually!

Post image courtesy of All Brite Dental

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What Procedures It’s Used In

Laughing gas can be used for any procedure in which the patient feels anxious, has a gag reflex that may prevent dental care, a patient who cannot receive other forms of anesthesia, or children who can’t tolerate dental procedures, such as those with special needs.

Does Laughing Gas Cause Adverse Reactions?

Although reactions from laughing gas are rare, they can happen in some patients. They usually are the result of too much laughing gas or from the gas being inhaled too rapidly. Patients who have reactions may get headaches, feel cold or hot, feel nauseous or need to vomit, or be very tired. Your dentist will ensure you receive the right amount of laughing gas to be comfortable for your procedure.

How Laughing Gas Works

Your dentist will place a small mask—sometimes called a clown nose—over your nose and have you breathe normally through your nose. You will not fall asleep and will still be able to speak with the dentist and respond to questions.

Laughing gas usually takes a few minutes to take effect and the effects begin to wear off as soon as the mask is removed. Once the gas is discontinued, you’ll receive oxygen for about five minutes to help you avoid a headache later. Oxygen also helps to fully get rid of the gas once the effects wear off and your procedure is done!

How Should You Prepare for Laughing Gas?

You should have something on your stomach before your procedure, but eating a big meal isn’t recommended before or after the procedure. You should talk to your dentist about when it’s ok for you to eat or drive following the procedure.

Laughing Gas and Children

Laughing gas is safe for children and is actually the most commonly used form of sedation dentistry for kids. It can be very helpful in relaxing children for procedures that would otherwise be frightening or painful.

Who Should Not Receive Laughing Gas?

Women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a history of substance abuse or mental health concerns should speak with their dentist prior to the procedure about whether or not nitrous oxide will be safe for them to have.

Laughing gas is always used for relatively short procedures and can help keep you relaxed and still while relieving any anxiety you may have. Laughing gas has many advantages as a form of sedation—you can talk with your dentist about whether or not laughing gas would be a good fit for your dental procedure or a dental procedure for your child that requires anesthesia.

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See the Dentist by Age One

Your baby should see the dentist by their first birthday. Usually by this time, children have at least one tooth in. When your child’s first tooth comes in, this is a good opportunity to start thinking about visiting your local dentist. The dentist can tell you if your child’s mouth is healthy and ready for the other teeth. Your dentist can also advise you on best practices to take care of your child’s mouth. As soon as your child has that first tooth, you can begin gently brushing it. As soon as they have two teeth that touch, you can incorporate flossing!

Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation by Age Seven

Yes, your child will probably still have baby teeth in at age seven. However, at this point, the orthodontist is able to see how your child’s teeth are coming in and if orthodontic intervention is needed. Crooked teeth, a misaligned bite, and jaw issues are all usually easily corrected with the right orthodontic treatment.

Your child may not need braces at all, or your orthodontist may advise you that treatment is needed in the near future. Sometimes beginning treatment before all the primary teeth are lost can help set your child’s mouth up for straighter adult teeth as they continue to grow! Although not every child will need orthodontic care, seeking a professional opinion sooner rather than later is ideal.

When to Receive Oral Health Care

After your child receives their initial dental visit, you should continue to visit your dentist at regular intervals as your child’s primary teeth come in. Since tooth decay can be common even among children, it’s important to ensure your child’s oral health is on par. Your dentist can talk with you about setting up a regular schedule during your initial visit.

For your orthodontic care, your orthodontist will advise you on what care—if any—is needed and when. Your child is unique and his or her treatment plan will be specific to them. The sooner you seek treatment, the more effective treatment will be! When preparing for your child’s first visit to the dentist and orthodontist, keep in mind that these professionals are here to help your child’s smile be the best it can be. From keeping tooth decay and gum disease away to ensuring your child’s teeth come in straight, don’t wait to seek care from your local professionals to create a beautiful smile for your little one!

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The appearance of dental fluorosis can vary from person to person. Some people may have white lines in their enamel that look subtly different from the rest of their teeth. Other may have white flecks or spots in their enamel. However, dental fluorosis could also be present as brown stains on the teeth. Your enamel may even be grooved and make these dark areas difficult to clean. The good news is that although dental fluorosis isn’t harmful, it can still be treated if you’re self-conscious of your white marks.

Causes of Dental Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is caused by a lack of minerals in your tooth’s enamel. This usually comes from the excessive consumption of fluoride. Fluoride is naturally present in water, but some cities add additional fluoride to their drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Although fluoride is generally considered a good thing by oral health care professionals, too much fluoride is just as bad as not enough. Between multiple sources of fluoride such as those from drinking water, toothpaste, and mouth rinses, children may be exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride that could lead to dental fluorosis.

How to Prevent It

The interesting thing about dental fluorosis is that it only happens during the formation of teeth in the jaw. This means the only time dental fluorosis can happen is during childhood after the primary teeth fall out and before the permanent teeth come in. In fact, it’s impossible for dental fluorosis to develop after the adult teeth have come in. Talk to your dentist about how much fluoride your kids actually need and what fluoride sources they’re exposed to. Your dentist can advise you if you should cut back on the fluoride. Ensure your kids don’t swallow their fluoride dental products. Some kids swallow because they taste good, but this can increase their fluoride intake and be dangerous!

Treatment Options

Fortunately, dental fluorosis isn’t a disease, just a cosmetic problem. Sometimes the uneven whitening is only noticeable by your dentist. For others, the white areas are more severe. For most people who have dental fluorosis, the whitening isn’t severe enough to warrant treatment as the appearance will be subtle.

Although fluorosis won’t cause other dental health problems, the stains will be permanent. Treatment can help mask the stains and improve the appearance of your smile. Your dentist might suggest professional teeth whitening to even out the white areas, crowns, or veneers to help alleviate the appearance of your dental fluorosis.

Having dental fluorosis can be a nuisance to your physical appearance, but there aren’t any lasting effects of this condition on your oral health. Talk to you dentist if you’re concerned about the look of your dental fluorosis, or if you want to know more about the appropriate amount of fluoride for your children’s teeth!

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Nitrous Oxide: Minimal Sedation

You may know this gas by its more common name, laughing gas. This is the lightest level of sedation and the only one in which you should be able to drive home after your appointment. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask that your dentist puts on your nose. As nitrous oxide has a short-term effect, you’ll feel relatively normal soon after the procedure.

Oral Sedation: From Mild to Moderate

Oral sedation is totally customizable—you and your dentist can discuss which level of sedation would be best to help relieve your dental anxiety. For this type of sedation, you’ll usually swallow a pill about an hour or so before your dental procedure. While you may become drowsy, you will still be awake and be able to respond. This is one of the most common sedation dentistry methods used as the dose can be adjusted for mild to moderate sedation.

IV Sedation: Moderate Sedation

For IV sedation, you’ll receive your sedation through an IV. This will allow the drug to quickly relax you before your procedure. This is not the same as general anesthesia, in which you would be totally unconscious during the procedure. During an IV sedation, you are still partially awake and able to respond to commands or stimuli. This is for people who don’t respond well to oral sedation or would like a quicker method of relaxation rather than waiting for a medication to work.

General Anesthesia: Deep Sedation

General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation in which you will be totally unconscious during the dental procedure. You will not be able to respond to commands or be roused from your state. General anesthesia requires that your breathing and heart rate be monitored, as this deep level of sedation affects these most basic functions. This form of sedation may be used if you need a lot of dental work, cannot relax even with the other methods of sedation, or if you need oral surgery.

Sedation dentistry makes going to the dentist easier for people who suffer from dental anxiety. It can enable patients who haven’t been to the dentist in years to get the much needed treatment they need without the fear and anxiety of pain. It’s important to find a dentist who’s experienced in sedation dentistry and understands your fears and concerns. Find a local dentist who can offer sedation dentistry to relieve your dental anxiety so that you can enjoy your smile again!

Image courtesy of stockimages at freedigitalimages.net

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Hard or sticky candies such as peppermints, caramels, gummy bears, or taffy are not safe for your braces! These destructive sweets not only increase your risk for cavities, but they can also get lodged in your braces and be difficult to remove. They can even cause brackets or rings to come loose! Hard candy can be replaced with soft, delicious ice cream! Ice cream also tends to be high in calcium, which can help strengthen your teeth. Look for ice creams with limited added sugar such as sorbet, fruit pops, or even dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk ice cream.

Crunchy Cereal: Replace with a Smoothie

Those crunchy breakfast cereals are a popular morning staple—but they’re also hard to chew with your tender teeth! You can replace morning cereal with a smoothie which will be gentle on your smile and full of nutrients! You can add vegetables, fruits, and milk or yogurt for a delicious and healthy alternative to that crunchy cereal.

Apples and Firm Fruits: Replace with Soft Fruits

Biting into an apple or another firm fruit can seem impossible with your braces, and should be avoided in order to prevent damage to your orthodontia. However, you have plenty of options when it comes to soft fruits! You can replace with melons, mangoes, bananas, kiwi, and even yogurt or applesauce. Fruit combined with yogurt makes a great snack, dessert, or even a breakfast treat and can be soothing on your tender smile!

Raw Crunchy Vegetables: Replace with Soups

Raw veggies such as carrots and celery are great for you—but they can be difficult to crunch into with your braces! Try replacing raw vegetables with cooked ones, such as in a soup! Mashed potatoes also make a great meal addition and are super easy to eat with braces.

Hard Breads, Crackers, or Pretzels: Replace with Soft Breads or Pasta

Crunchy breads, hard pretzels, and crunchy crackers are a favorite among many people. These can be difficult to eat and can damage your braces, so try to stay away from them! You can replace them with softer breads, soft pretzels, and even pasta. Pasta is often easy to eat and can be versatile—macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, lasagna, even cold in pasta salads can be easy and tasty to consume with your braces.

Tough Meats: Replace with Tender Meats, Stews, or Eggs

Chewing on meat isn’t always easy on your teeth when you’re receiving orthodontic treatment. These tough meats are easily caught in your braces and can injure your smile! Instead of tough meats such as steak or even breaded meats like fried chicken, replace with tender meats: soft turkey, beef or ham stew, or baked chicken. You can also take advantage of hard-boiled, scrambled, or fried eggs—these are easy to eat with braces.

When it comes to food, you can make smart choices and replace some of the tougher foods you used to eat with safe alternatives: so pick this, not that with your orthodontic treatment!

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They Last for Life

One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they never need to be replaced. The screw that’s inserted into your jawbone naturally becomes part of your body and remains sturdy for life. You’ll need to get a new crown on the end every 10-15 years, but this is all the maintenance that’s required besides caring for your teeth like you normally would!

Financing Is Available

Dental implants can be costly, but their price is not without reason: having a strong, secure, and natural-looking replacement for your teeth means less maintenance for you and a better appearance. If you’re worried about paying for your dental implants, talk with your dentist. Many dentist offices offer financing or payment plans to help you afford the smile of your dreams. Some offices even offer financing at 0% interest through CareCredit!

Just Like Normal Teeth

Once your natural teeth are gone, they don’t grow back. It can be hard to find a great replacement for something that nature created perfectly. Dentures and partial dentures don’t provide the security of a permanent smile that many people want. Dental bridges will eventually need to be redone. How can you get your beautiful smile back after tooth loss?

Dental implants provide a unique solution that allows your smile to remain strong and beautiful even after tooth loss. You won’t be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and your dental implant, and neither will anyone else. You care for dental implants just like your natural teeth; and with regular checkups, your implants are designed to last for life!

Prevent Bone Loss

One of the top benefits of dental implants is preventing bone loss in your jaw. Lost jaw bone may not seem like a big deal, but the truth is that this lost bone can cause teeth shifting and change your facial structure over time. When your teeth are no longer there to stimulate your jaw bone, your body compensates for the loss by decreasing the amount of bone in the area. As a result, the surrounding teeth are no longer able to stay in place, and your face may appear hollow or shrunken over time.

Since dental implants are inserted into your jaw, they stimulate your body to grow new jaw bone as it accepts the dental implant to support your new “tooth”. This means your face retains its full shape and the surrounding teeth are held in place with adequate bone structure!

Have you considered dental implants for your tooth loss? Talk to your dentist about restoring your smile with these great tooth replacements. Dental implants require a simple surgery but last a lifetime with proper care. Enjoy your smile again with dental implants!

Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Plaque Needs to Be Scrubbed Away

Plaque is that fuzzy feeling you get on your teeth after waking in the morning and generally a few hours after brushing. Bacteria in our mouths as well as foods can cause this substance to build up on our teeth. Plaque typically doesn’t pose a risk to our teeth and gums as long as it’s sufficiently removed every day via brushing and at the dentist office during regular professional cleanings.

Mouthwash by itself can’t remove plaque—plaque needs to be gently scrubbed away with your toothbrush as well as with proper flossing. Swishing mouthwash around in your mouth can compliment your oral hygiene after brushing and flossing, but it won’t help to remove harmful plaque after an entire day of not brushing!

Mouthwash Can Help Remove Food

Mouthwash is beneficial to your smile in addition to brushing because it can help remove food that’s stuck between your teeth as well as make your breath fresher. Although getting food particles out from between your teeth is important, this is something that’s best done physically with floss rather than general rinsing—flossing will actually help to scrape plaque away as well!

Before bed, flossing to remove those food particles can be beneficial along with mouthwash. Mouthwash can help prevent buildup of food particles as well as the bad bacteria that can contribute to bad breath and gum disease. If you have chronic bad breath even after brushing and using mouthwash, visit your dentist—this is a symptom of gum disease!

An Occasional Substitute

We all forget to brush our teeth once in a while, or else we find ourselves in a situation without a toothbrush. When this happens, using mouthwash is better than not doing anything at all. If you’re without a toothbrush, swish with mouthwash as you normally would—overuse of mouthwash is just as damaging as not using it at all!

If you’re without floss, mouthwash can help with that as well. It can help remove that stuck food and kill bacteria associated with oral disease. However, remember that mouthwash is best used in combination with these practices—but if you forget your toothbrush once in a while, some mouthwash can help you make it through the night!

Mouthwash might seem like a quick and easy solution instead of brushing and flossing before bedtime, but the truth is that it’s just not an effective replacement to actually cleaning your teeth. Mouthwash can help prevent harmful bacteria and give you fresh breath, but you should never stop brushing your teeth in favor of mouthwash before bed!

Image provided by nenetus at Freedigitalphotos.net

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Dentists can notice the signs for sleep apnea, since you may complain of headaches, dry mouth (mouth breathing while sleeping) or lethargy. You also see your dentist more often than the doctor, usually every six months or at the least every year for your checkup and professional cleaning. Be open with your dentist and talk with him or her about any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Your dentist is trained to notice the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea—and if you’re breathing through your mouth while sleeping, dry mouth could create an increased risk for cavities and even gum disease. If your dentist thinks you may be suffering from sleep apnea, he or she will recommend a sleep medicine specialist to diagnose you.

Treatment at the Dentist Office

Treatment for sleep apnea can’t happen until you get diagnosed with this sleep disorder. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, your dentist can actually help treat your sleep apnea! Depending on your type of sleep apnea, an oral appliance may help. Oral appliances reposition the jaw and tongue to improve airflow. They’re easy to wear, removable, and only worn while you sleep.

Sleep apnea oral appliances are covered by many insurance companies as essential treatment for sleep apnea. They help to keep your upper airway open and therefore prevent the collapse of your airway while you sleep, which can cause you to stop breathing. Your dentist has undergone training to recognize symptoms of sleep apnea as well as to treat it. Talk to your health care professionals about your symptoms!

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It’s important to know the risk factors as well as the symptoms of sleep apnea to determine if you’re at risk and if you are, when to seek a professional diagnosis of your condition. The risk factors for sleep apnea include:

 Being overweight or obese

 Age (older adults experience sleep apnea more often)

 Alcohol use or abuse

 Smoking

 Being a man (men are twice as likely to experience sleep apnea)

The symptoms of sleep apnea range from snoring, dry mouth, and fatigue during the day to irritability, a dull headache, or awakening during the night short of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor to see if a sleep apnea oral appliance could help alleviate your symptoms!

Sleep apnea is considered a serious sleeping disorder that can increase your risk of death and lead to other serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and atrial fibrillation (AFIB). Talk to your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask if he or she can recommend a sleep specialist. Sleep apnea can be treated by your dentist, so don’t ignore the signs!

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