May 16th, 2012
According to researchers 8.5 million American adults have experienced sleepwalking. We normally think of sleepwalking as a very rare occurrence but it seems it is not so unusual after all. People who suffer from sleep apnea, depression or obsessive compulsive disorders are at higher than average risk according to research published in Neurology.
Some medications, including over-the-counter sleeping pills and antidepressants can also increase sleepwalking. If people who have a history of sleepwalking take these medications it can bring on a sleepwalking event.
Study author Dr. Maurice Ohayon of Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Research Center said “I would like to correct the impression that this phenomenon is rare. This is a huge number of people.”
People who wander at night at least once during a year are likely to have a family history of the problem. The nightimel ramblings also disturb the sleep of family members. Most people find out that they sleepwalk because a family member tells them about it.
Many sleep disorders disturb the sleep of family members especially obstructive sleep apnea. The loud snoring and gasping noises often wake people in nearby bedrooms and this means very little sleep for the bed partner. Most sleep apnea sufferers seek diagnosis and treatment because of the urging (and complaining) of family members.
If you snore loudly and experience extreme daytime sleepiness you may suffer from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Many patients have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but find sleeping with a CPAP machine impossible and discontinue treating their disease. This accounts for about 50% of patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Untreated sleep apnea does more than disturb your rest. It also dramatically increases your risk for heart attack, stroke and more. You can treat your sleep apnea without the mask and hoses – sleeping with an oral appliance allows the airway to remain open at night allowing you to breath freely and eliminates the snoring.
Please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 to discover how oral appliance therapy can give you, and your loved ones, a full night of restful sleep.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance
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May 11th, 2012
About 80% of us never get canker sores and scientists still don’t really understand what causes them. The theory is that we get canker sores because of a problem with our immune system. Some people get lots of them and some people may get just a few during their lifetime.
Canker sores are not serious, usually they are just annoying and painful. The sores can show up on the inside of the lips, inside the cheeks, at the base of the gums or on the tongue. Most of the time we only get one canker sore at a time but some unlucky people can have several at once. Ouch! Fortunately they only occur a few times each year for most people. In some cases canker sores have been linked with other diseases such as Behcet’s syndrome.
Many people can tell when a sore is forming. They feel a burning or tingling before the sore starts to form. The sores take two or three days to form and usually are painful for only a few days. Most canker sores go away after two weeks. You should call your dentist if your canker sore is unusually large (almost 1/2 inch across) or if you are getting more sores, or getting them more often than you used to.
As with any mouth sore if it doesn’t heal after an appropriate period of time please visit us immediately to rule out any serious conditions. If you also experience other symptoms such as rashes, joint pain or fever call your physician.
Treatment of canker sores consists mainly of relieving the discomfort – there is no cure. Over-the-counter numbing creams and gels may be helpful and rinsing with warm water and avoiding spicy or salty foods are suggested. If a sore is very large or painful prescription medications may be called for. While canker sores are painful, don’t skip brushing and flossing!
Please contact Dr. Nelly Silva at Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 schedule an appointment if canker sores or other mouth sores have been bothering you.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, Collegeville Dentistry
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May 4th, 2012
May is National Smile Month so let’s see a happy grin! Perhaps your smile isn’t quite ready for National Smile Month. Over time our smiles can darken and become dingy looking even when they are healthy. Dingy smiles make us look older than we actually are. 
You don’t need to live with that old, yellow smile. Dental bleaching is a safe, effective way to brighten up your smile. Your options for bleaching your teeth include over-the-counter kits and strips that are only marginally effective and sometimes very expensive. Another problem with do-it-yourself whitening is that certain types of discoloration and staining can’t be bleached.
Your dentist can tell you the most effective bleaching method that will work for you. We love the Zoom! whitening system. In about an hour you can have a smile that is many shades whiter and brighter.
If you have teeth that have been stained by certain antibiotics or other substances dental bleaching may not be an option but you don’t have to live with dark, gray teeth. Dental veneers can give you the smile of your dreams and are durable and long lasting.
Please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 to discuss your cosmetic dentistry dreams.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, cosmetic, whitening
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May 2nd, 2012
It has been estimated that 40% of people with untreated sleep apnea will develop hypertension (high blood pressure) and 30% of people who have been diagnosed with hypertension already have sleep apnea but most aren’t aware of it because they have not been diagnosed. If you have tried medications to control your hypertension but nothing seems to work then you might want to explore the hypertension/sleep apnea link.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs during sleep when when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax and drop back, blocking the airway. Oxygen levels drop and the brain eventually triggers the sleeper to waken briefly to begin breathing again. These wakings are usually accompanied by loud gasps or snorts and loud snoring punctuates most of the night. The continual stoppages of breathing strain the entire cardiovascular system so it is not surprising that high blood pressure is common in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Diagnosing sleep apnea begins with a sleep study that monitors your breathing and oxygen levels during sleep. CPAP machines are the most commonly used first treatment for sleep apnea. While CPAP is highly effective, it is not tolerated by almost half of all sleep apnea patients. A very effective treatment that is more comfortable and less intrusive is an oral appliance created by a dentist who has special training in the field of dental sleep medicine. Oral appliances work with your body by gently placing your jaw in a forward position that keeps the airway open during sleep. A dentist who has special training in the field of dental sleep medicine are the only professionals who can custom fit and adjust the oral appliance to effectively treat your sleep apnea. The device is covered by many medical insurance plans.
Please contact Dr. Nelly Silva at Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 to schedule your consultation to discover if obstructive sleep apnea may be affecting your hypertension.
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Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, obstructive sleep apnea
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April 27th, 2012
Does your dental health have anything to do with the chance that you might develop dementia? A new study from Japan the suggests that there could be a connection. The study of more than 4000 elderly adults in Japan showed that those who didn’t visit the dentist regularly or had lost several teeth and did not use dentures had a higher risk for dementia than those who had good dental health.
Lead researcher Dr. Yukio Hirata said “The number of dementia patients is increasing, but there are no effective treatment and prevention methods. Therefore, finding risk factors contributes to solving the problem from the viewpoint of prevention.” Dr. Hirata also reported that some earlier studies had suggested that gum disease and its complications, including tooth loss, might be a risk factor for dementia. Tooth loss has a profound effect on diet and nutrition as well as overall quality of life for the elderly.
Avoid potential tooth loss by brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist every six months (or more often if you have gum disease or risk factors for gum disease).
There are times when tooth loss may be unavoidable and the tooth must be replaced. Bridges used to be the only way but today replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant is a wonderful choice. Dental implants act like a natural tooth and, unlike dental bridges, do not require special care for cleaning and flossing. A restored dental implant will look and feel just like your own tooth.
To find out if a dental implant is right for you please contact Dr. Nelly Silva at Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555. We’ll keep you smiling!
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, dental implants, tooth loss
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April 25th, 2012
A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has associated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with major depression. There was no link shown between snoring and depression. The lead author of the study, Dr. Anne Wheaton said “Snorting, gasping or stopping breathing while asleep was associated with nearly all depression symptoms, including feeling hopeless and feeling like a failure.” She continued “We expected persons with sleep disordered breathing to report trouble sleeping or sleeping too much or feeling tired and having little energy, but not the other symptoms.”
The study took into account other factors like weight, age, sex and race but still showed the the likelihood of depression increased with the reported frequency of snorting or instances when breathing stopped during sleep.
The study suggests screening for sleep breathing disorders in cases of depression, especially because it is estimated that 85% of sleep apnea sufferers have not been diagnosed.
Treatment for sleep apnea may include using a CPAP machine but for the large number of patients who cannot tolerate sleeping with CPAP the use of an oral appliance can effectively manage their obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance is custom designed by a dentist who has special training in sleep breathing disorders like Dr. Nelly Silva of Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville.
To find out if you have obstructive sleep apnea or to see if you are a candidate for oral appliance therapy please contact Dr. Silva at 610-489-5555 to schedule your consultation.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, obstructive sleep apnea
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April 19th, 2012
The toothpaste ingredient that has been proven to be most effective in protecting your teeth against cavities is fluoride. Toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association are considered clinically effective. In order to achieve this the toothpaste must contain a certain amount of fluoride. Some patients may require even stronger fluoride toothpastes which are available by prescription.
Toothpaste companies spend a lot of money advertising lots of other ingredients and gadgets to get your toothpaste dollar. Are any of these special additives worth it? Here’s a look at some you’ve probably seen advertised.
Tartar control toothpastes are frequently advertised. These toothpastes contain tetrasodium pyrophosphate which protects your teeth from hardened plaque (aka tartar) by disrupting part of the tartar formation process. These toothpastes can’t remove existing tartar however, only a visit to your dental hygienist can do that. They may help keep tartar from building up as quickly.
If you have sensitive teeth there are many products on the market that claim they will help. Whether or not they do depends upon the reason why your teeth are sensitive. These pastes usually use potassium nitrate as the active ingredient. Ask your dentist if these will help you.
Whitening toothpastes remove surface staining only, not much more than your regular toothpaste. If you want white teeth your best bet is a professional whitening from your dentist. Professional whitening is the only way to achieve a bright, white smile.
Triclosan is an ingredient that is currently used in one toothpaste called Colgate Total. It is supposed to continue killing bacteria long after you have finished brushing. Since this is a new idea it will be interesting to see if this reduces gum disease over time.
Baking soda toothpastes add a zing to your brushing but are really no more effective than regular fluoride toothpaste. Some people like the tingly feeling they get with these so if they help you brush longer then go ahead.
Stripes, colors and fancy packaging – Whatever works to get your kids to brush! If fancy toothpaste stripes on a toothbrush make your child more willing to complete the job, why not take advantage? Otherwise you really don’t need to spend a lot to buy an effective toothpaste and remember that store brands are usually much cheaper than the larger, advertised brands.
Whatever you choose remember to use a soft bristle toothbrush and brush for 2 minutes each time. To schedule your professional cleaning with your dental hygienist please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, periodontal disease, sensitivity, tartar
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April 17th, 2012
Do you have a spouse that snores? I mean the really loud, lumberjack sawing wood kind of snore that keeps you from getting the rest you need. If you answered yes, you aren’t alone. Researchers actually have a name for this — Spousal Arousal Syndrome (SAS).
The non-snoring partner is often woken up several times an hour and can lose an average of two hours of sleep each night — not to mention what sleep they do get is fragmented and of poor quality. The health consequences can be significant as lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, increases in blood pressure, memory problems, irritability and daytime tiredness.
Most couples who deal with snoring report having argued over the problem and many sleep apart most nights. Often the partner that snores does not realize how bad their snoring problem really is — this is where a video or audio recorder can come in handy!
The most important thing that both partners need to know is that very loud snoring, especially accompanied by gasping or snorting, can be a sign of a serious sleep breathing disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax and collapse into the throat during sleep. This blocks the airway. A partially blocked airway means snoring, a completely blocked airway means that the sleeper stops breathing and is getting no oxygen. When the body is starved for oxygen the brain will rouse the sleeper just enough to get them breathing again, the sleeper doesn’t realize this is happening and doesn’t remember anything in the morning. The spouse usually hears it all and has a difficult time falling back asleep.
If your spouse has an extreme snoring problem they need to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Once diagnosed and treated you can both enjoy a full night of sleep without interruptions. Serious health consequences including heart attack and stroke are linked to obstructive sleep apnea so getting treated is important.
Please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 to arrange your sleep apnea consultation. There are treatment alternatives that do not require use of a CPAP machine.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, obstructive sleep apnea
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April 14th, 2012
You may have seen news stories this past week about a study published by the American Cancer Society which apparently linked frequent dental x-rays with a non-cancerous brain tumor. This type of tumor, called a meningioma, occurs in about 8 of every 100,000 people which makes it a rare disease although it is the most commonly diagnosed type of brain tumor. The study, completed at Yale University, looked at more than 1400 people who were diagnosed with a meningioma. The average age of the patients was 57.
The study seems to show that patients with the tumors were twice as likely to have had frequent dental x-rays since childhood. The study did not look at patient’s actual dental records to record the actual number of x-rays but instead relied upon the individuals in the study to remember how many x-rays they have had. I don’t know about you but I can’t remember how many dental x-rays I’ve had over my life and I do this for a living.
NBC Nightly News reported on this subject and did a very good job. The also noted that memories may not be completely accurate and NBC experts and others are reminding patients that due to the age of the study subjects much of the x-ray exposure occurred years ago when dental x-rays exposed patients to much higher doses of radiation. Digital radiography is now used by most progressive dental offices and offers very low radiation exposure. Many experts are questioning the results and I’m sure additional studies will be completed.
Unfortunately, we need dental x-rays. A physical and visual examination by a dentist is not enough for us to detect all oral diseases – tumors, abscesses, cracked teeth, decay and more need x-rays for diagnosis. We do try to limit their use however. At Advanced Dentistry of Collgeville we order dental x-rays only when needed for diagnosis and treatment. Protective aprons and thyroid collars are used for the safety of our patients.
Please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555 to schedule your next appointment.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, digital x-rays
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April 11th, 2012
Lots of claims are made by toothpaste makers but how do you know which claims are fact and which are fake? Sometimes it’s not easy to tell so here’s a short guide to help you decide.
Toothpaste Ingredient Claims:
Fluoride – Yes, if a toothpaste is approved by the American Dental Association it is considered clinically effective, meaning it strengthens the tooth enamel. This helps protect against cavities.
Tartar Control – Tartar control toothpastes can’t remove tartar from your teeth but a chemical in the toothpaste, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, helps reduce the amount of plaque that hardens on your teeth to form tartar.
Sensitive Teeth – Whether these toothpastes help people with sensitive teeth depends upon why they are experiencing sensitivity. Your dentist can help you decide and there are prescription toothpastes that may do a better job.
Baking Soda – Makes your mouth feel refreshed but doesn’t really do anything for your oral health. If the fresh feeling makes you brush more that’s a good thing.
Whitening Toothpastes – These remove surface stains but won’t really do anything to “whiten” your teeth. Professional dental bleaching is effective, safe and the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment in America.
Triclosan – This ingredient is available in Colgate Total and is supposed to continue killing bacteria long after you finish brushing.
“Natural” Toothpastes – Popular brands like “Tom’s” usually contain fluoride which makes them effective. The “natural” ingredients and avoidance of animal testing for these products appeals to many.
So, what choice should you make in the toothpaste aisle? Look for the ADA seal of approval and then choose a brand that is affordable and tastes good. You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toothpaste unless your dentist has prescribed a special type for your dental needs.
Just remember to brush for 2 minutes each time and floss daily! To schedule your dental hygiene appointment please contact Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at 610-489-5555.
Tags: Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, cavity
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