The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times.




This means the brain, as well as the rest of the body, may not get enough oxygen.


Risk factors of sleep apnea include:

   •   Being male

   •   Being overweight

   •   Being over 40 years of age

   •   Having a large neck size (17 in. or greater in men and 16 in. or greater in women)

   •   Having a familial history of sleep apnea

   •   Having large tonsils or a large tongue

   •   Suffering from Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD

   •   Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems

                         

Sleep apnea doesn't discriminate; it can affect anyone at any age, including children.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including:

   •   High blood pressure

   •   Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks

   •   Stroke

   •   Diabetes

   •   Depression

   •   Worsening ADHD

   •   Headaches

In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

Treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, changing sleep positions or CPAP therapy. Other ways to help sleep apnea include:

   •   Avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills

   •   Changing sleep positions to improve breathing

   •   Quit smoking. Smoking can increase the swelling in the upper airway, which may worsen 

       both snoring and apnea

   •   Avoiding sleeping on your back

Talk to your doctor or dentist about your health history right away if you suspect you or a family member suffer from sleep apnea.

Going Camping? Don't Forget The Bottle Opener!

TOSD #TipTuesday ! 

Going camping? Did you forget the bottle opener? Don't even think about using your teeth! You would be surprised how many people do. This can chip and damage your teeth, leading to an unsightly smile and possible cavities depending on the amount of damage. Remember, we have come a long way since caveman days. We have sophisticated tools and they do not include your teeth. Schedule your appointment with Thousand Oaks Smile Design today!

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The Importance of Oral Health

Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive – they can also tell dentists information about your overall health, including whether or not you may be at risk for chronic disease. 

Research suggests, that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.  

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, there is a relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies.  

Other research shows that more than 90% of all systemic diseases (diseases involving many organs or the whole body) have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Such diseases include:  

• Diabetes 
• Leukemia 
• Pancreatic Cancer 
• Oral Cancer 
• Kidney Disease 
• Heart Disease 

Since most people have regular oral examinations, their dentist may be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem in its early stages.  Research also shows that good oral health may actually prevent certain diseases from occurring.  Schedule your appointment with Thousand Oaks Smile Design because your health is important! 

Meet Our Employee Of The Month Rachel Jackson

Rachel Jackson completed her degree in Registered Dental Hygiene in Southern California, and joined our team in the beginning of 2015. Patients consider Rachel very gentle and caring, while at the same time very thorough. Rachel is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association. She enjoys spending her down time with her family and friends. Rachel's hobbies include reading science fiction books, spending time at her kids school, and enjoying a good family dinner. 

If you are an anxious dental patient, you would be in great hands with Rachel as your hygienist.  She personifies our mission for gentle and caring treatment.  Call Thousand Oaks Smile Design to meet Rachel in person! 

  

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