How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Overall Health?
Gum disease is more prevalent than most people think – recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that roughly one-half of American adults suffer from some form of these conditions. Periodontal (or gum) disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in plaque and is responsible for more than just inflamed and tender gums. Left untreated, gum disease can negatively affect your overall health in many ways. Though periodontal disease starts off in an…
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Do I Have Sleep Apnea and Don’t Know I Have It?
Snoring is something that affects roughly 90 million adult Americans, 37 million of which experience snoring on a nightly basis. However, that loud and persistent snore may be more than just a disruption to you and your loved ones’ sleep. In fact, that snore may indicate that you have sleep apnea and don’t even know that you have it. Sleep apnea is characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing while you sleep, and these constant interruptions can play havoc on your…
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Why Do People Feel Uncomfortable Going to the Dentist?
If you’re afraid of making that dreaded trip the dentist’s office, you’re not alone. Phobias and anxieties stemming from the thought of visiting the dentist plague roughly 1 in 5 people. With such a large percentage of people letting this fear affect their dental and overall well being, it begs the question; why exactly do people feel so uncomfortable about going to the dentist? For some people, it may have something to with past painful experiences at the dentist. Baby…
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How Much Can Obstructive Sleep Apnea Shorten Your Life?
Of the two forms of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the more common condition. Your airway either collapses or is blocked while you sleep. This blockage leads to a common sleep apnea symptom: snoring. Unfortunately, many ignore the snore. As a result, their sleep apnea goes undiagnosed. This is dangerous, as undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea may shorten your life and lead to many health problems. OSA restricts the amount of oxygen your lungs can take in while you…
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When Should I Schedule My Child’s First Visit to the Dentist?
As parents, we all know that routine visits to the doctor are crucial to the development of healthy and happy children. It’s easy to focus on all of the booster shots and physicals, but your child’s oral health is just as important to maintain as everything else and should not go ignored as they age. Don’t just assume that visits to the dentist can wait until your child has a full mouth of teeth; in fact, it’s recommended that you…
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What is Sleep Apnea?
Are you currently dealing with excessive fatigue, lingering headaches, and decreased memory? If you notice any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you may have sleep apnea. Undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea can seriously impact your health in many ways. But before you can do anything about your sleep apnea, you must receive the proper diagnosis. If you have ever wondered about sleep apnea testing, the answer might be simpler than you think. There are two main forms of…
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Why Are People Afraid to Go to the Dentist?
Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are crucial in keeping a healthy smile. However, when people are afraid, they don’t go often enough, and some people refuse to go at all. The British Dental Health Foundation surveyed people who didn’t see a dentist on a routine basis. The foundation asked why they didn’t go. The primary reason for 36% of responders was fear! So why specifically are people afraid to go to the dentist? Some people are…
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How Sedation Dentistry Helps People Who Fear Going to the Dentist
Fear of going to the dentist is a far more common problem than most people think. Dental anxiety and phobia have been estimated to afflict between 9%-15% of Americans, or roughly 30 to 40 million people. Too many people have come to associate the dentist with unwelcoming environments, painful drills, and large needles. Letting fear of the dentist leads you to put off necessary dental work, which is a bad idea in the short and long term. Painful infections and…
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How Does Untreated Sleep Apnea Affect Your Long-Term Health?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, and one of the most common complaints of someone with untreated sleep apnea is snoring. Forty percent of adults over 40 snore, often without even knowing it. But, what many people consider an annoying and involuntary habit is often one of the primary symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more than just the snore, and if left untreated, it can pose serious risks to your long-term health. There are…
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When is the Best Time to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal has become one of the most common dental procedures in the world. Nearly 85% of adults have had theirs removed to protect their oral health. These “third molars” that form in our early teens and twenties often cause damage to surrounding teeth as they grow in. Even if they grow in cleanly, they can still attract bacteria that cause infection in the mouth. Waiting often makes the issue worse, so the best time for removal is sooner…
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