Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts while the patient is asleep.  Patient may not be aware of these short breathing pauses that occur hundreds of times a night. The sleep deprivation (can’t fall asleep or can’t stay asleep) caused by sleep apnea can result in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and increased risk of driving accidents.  Sleep apnea is also linked to some serious medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, liver problems, and diabetes.

Major warning signs of Sleep Apnea

·       Loud and chronic snoring almost every night

·       Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep

·       Pauses in breathing

·       Waking up at night feeling short of breath

·       Daytime sleepiness and fatigue

                                         Other warning signs of Sleep Apnea

·       Insomnia or nighttime awakenings; restless sleep

·       Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

·       Going to the bathroom frequently during the night

·       Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating

·       Moody, irritable, depress

·       Morning headaches

*If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, for a free consultation for Sleep Apnea. Call for an appointment at 626-335-5114 or email: drannalee1@gmail.com.

                                           Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Mild to Moderate Sleep Apnea

·       Lose weight

·       Quit smoking

·       Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives

·       Avoid caffeine and heavy meals with 2 hours of going to bed

·       Exercise regularly, maintain regular sleep hours

·       Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)-dental device that fits inside the mouth, like an athletic mouth guard. OAT is a first line treatment for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. OAT is comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable and convenient for travel.

Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea

·       Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP)-machine is used with a variety of breathing masks that cover the nose and mouth, providing a constant stream of air that keep the breathing passages open while sleeping.  CPAP machines are being updated and improved; they are lighter, quieter and more comfortable.

·       Sleep Apnea Implants-one of the newest treatments; involves the insertion of a pacemaker system that stimulates muscle to keep airways open for breathing during sleep.

·       Surgery-increase the size of the airway; risks of complications and infections.

Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, is a trained dentist in Sleep Apnea who can assist you with treatment.    Dr. Anna Lee performs an airway assessment and Sleep Apnea evaluation.  Dr. Anna Lee also conducts a full evaluation of your teeth, mouth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to ensure that your teeth and jaw structure are healthy enough to wear an oral appliance.  If you have any questions, please call for a free consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit our sleep website at www.glendorasleep.com

Oral Care Tips for Crown Restorations

                                                                         

Teeth are restored with dental crown restorations for different reasons.  It may be that teeth are broken, damaged by decay, cracked, misshapen, or badly discolored. Crown restorations can be made of all metal, all ceramic, and porcelain fused to metal. A common question from some patients when a crown restoration is recommended by their dentist is the longevity of the crown.  The longevity largely weighs on their oral hygiene, oral habits and regular checkups with their dentists.  Here are some of the oral care tips for the crown restorations:

1.     Practice good oral hygiene  

·       Brush 2x per day and floss daily

-use toothpaste with fluoride

-use antibacterial mouth wash

·       Use interdental cleaners to help remove debris & interproximal dental plaque that collects between teeth. They clean hard to reach tooth surfaces and reduce the susceptibility of gum disease and tooth decay

- interdental brushes-clean spaces between teeth

- rubber tips-massage the gums and help to dislodge food particles and plaque to clean between the teeth

       2.     Practice good oral habits

·       Avoid grinding teeth, biting nails, chewing on ice, eating sticky or hard foods, and using teeth to open packages.  These habits can potentially lead to loosening crown restorations or fracturing the porcelain of the crown.

·       Grinding teeth-talk to the dentist to find out the cause of the habit.  The causes may be stress related, muscle tension or malocclusion.

3.     Regular Dental checkups   

·       Dental checkups and cleaning at least 2 times per year

·       Dental x-rays to check on the crowns as recommended by the dentist

Practice good oral hygiene, good oral habits and visit your dentist for checkups are keys to ensure the longevity of your dental crowns.  Talk to your Glendora Dentist about these oral care tips.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you have any questions about the types of crown restorations or need some advice on keeping the crown restorations in your mouth as long as possible, please call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114. You can visit us at www.annaleedds.com.  

                                                                                          

Tooth Brushing Techniques

Many patients are frustrated and often say that they brush their teeth 2-3 times a day, but they still have bleeding gums, cavities, and bad breath or gum disease. They want to know whether they brush their teeth enough or brush properly.

What is the proper tooth brushing technique?

Proper tooth brushing is important for cleaning the teeth and gums.  Here are the recommended steps:

·       Place bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle.  Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.

·       Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion; the brush makes contact with the gum line and is moved downward toward the chewing surface.  Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.

·       Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gum line.  Gently brush using back & forth rolling motion along all the inner tooth surfaces.

·       To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and –down strokes

·       Gently brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor producing bacteria

 How long is the proper tooth brushing take?

·                                     Proper brushing takes at least 2 minutes.

       What type of toothbrushes should be used?

·                                    Soft-bristled toothbrushes

·       

       Small-headed brushes are recommended because they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including back teeth.

·       

        Powered toothbrushes are good alternatives for people with limited manual dexterity.  Talk to your Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, about your dental needs and be advised on the type of toothbrushes that is right for you.

What type of the toothpaste?

·       Fluoridated toothpaste

·       There are toothpastes designed for many conditions: cavities, gingivitis, tartar control, stain control, and sensitivity (cold/sweets). 

·       Talk to your Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, about your dental needs and be advised on the type of toothpaste that is right for you.

How often should toothbrushes be replaced?

·       When the toothbrush bristles flare out or show wear.

·       

      Every 3 months

·       Replace the toothbrush after you have had a cold.  The toothbrush bristles can collect bacteria and may lead to periodontal infections.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you have any questions about the proper tooth brushing techniques and any concerns about your dental care, please visit us at                   www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.