Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Doctors believe that there are more than 18 million people living with sleep apnea and many of them are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night.

More men than women have sleep apnea, but in women the incidences increase after menopause, most likely as a result of hormonal changes.

Obviously sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, however undiagnosed sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems and diabetes.

Watch for these signs that you may have sleep apnea:

• Loud or chronic snoring - Snoring is a milder form of airway obstruction. If you’re snoring loudly, chronically and keeping your partner awake, it could be a sign of sleep apnea and you should talk to a sleep apnea dentist.
• You gasp for air – Sleep apnea suffers commonly pause in breathing. Those pauses are often followed by gasping, choking or snorting. In severe cases, you may experience frenzied gasps for air every 15 to 30 seconds throughout the night.
• Exhausted all day – Poor sleeping at night leads to sleepiness during the day. But this is one of the most often overlooked signs of sleep apnea. If you’re spending seven to nine hours in bed per night and still feel sleepy during the day, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure - Sleep apnea is linked to hypertension. When you stop or pause in breathing, this causes your blood pressure to spike.
• Use the restroom often at night – This could be linked to aging, but it is also a classic sign of sleep apnea. The stress on your body caused by not breathing triggers a full-bladder sensation.
• Wake up with a headache - Frequent pauses in breathing during the night decrease the oxygen levels in the brain, causing pain.

If you suffer from all or some of these signs, the best thing to do is to contact Dream Smile Dental, a sleep apnea dentist, and schedule a consultation. We will do some diagnostic tests in the office and then most likely send you home with a sleep monitor. This will give us the necessary information to determine the level of sleep apnea you suffer from and be able to recommend the ideal treatment option for you.

Play Am I Wearing Invisalign with the DSD Girls on our Facebook Page for a chance to Win a FREE Just Released Sonicare Diamond Electric Toothbrush!

Answer "YES" or "No" on each photo. Anyone who guesses all 5 correctly enters a drawing to win a FREE Just Released Sonicare Diamond Electric Toothbrush.

 

Why does Starbucks sell 256 thousand gallons of coffee every day? Because the average American generally doesn’t get enough sleep and needs to compensate in order to stay focused throughout the day. Although coffee is a temporary solution, the root of the problem is not really being addressed and we’re missing out on the benefits of a good sleep.

When a person gets the necessary 7 hours of good sleep, there are effects that occur which include enhanced concentration, enhanced mood, reduction of stress effects, optimized immune system and increased pain inhibition. Simply put, good sleep makes us healthier. In fact, it even makes the flu shot work better.

So how do we get this good sleep so we can avoid the ample caffeine intake and the fatigued feeling throughout the day? Well first we have to assess the reason why we’re lacking this sleep. In most cases it’s some form of sleep apnea. This is defined as a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep. Although this sounds like something one would know they experienced, most people don’t even realize they do this.

Snoring is the most common sign that a person suffers from sleep apnea which explains why 23% of sleep partners sleep in separate rooms. But before you send your partner to the couch, consider that they may need to see a dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. Not only because of the daily drowsiness, lack of concentration and lowered immune system, but also because sleep apnea leads to serious health issues. These issues include respiratory disease, stroke and heart attack according to sleep apnea dentist Evetta Shwartzman D.M.D.

A CPAP (machine that forces oxygen through a face mask during sleep) used to be the only way to treat sleep apnea and it still is for severe cases. For less severe cases, a comfortable mouth guard is available that is worn at night. Referred to as The SomnoDent, this guard fits the teeth in such a way that it actually opens up the airway. This allows for more oxygen to enter the body and minimizes lack of breath events throughout the night.

As a result, you wake up feeling more rejuvenated, experience less stress and build up your immune system to handle sickness. More importantly, this actually prolongs your life. By minimizing your chances of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, you’re more likely to live a longer and healthier life.

For photos and more information please contact: Diana@dreamsmiledental.com or call (781) 330-0900.

Those who are fond of reading magazines and watching television are often curious how those models have such shiny white teeth. Well, there are people who are really gifted when it comes to their teeth. All they need is a little maintenance and they can have that bright smile for a long time. There are also people who have teeth that are easily broken or damaged. Some dentists say it is because of the lack of calcium in their body. However, we can all have that bright white smile by undergoing some dental procedures.

The most sought after treatments center around cosmetic dentistry, which has great benefits for people who have oral problems. Cosmetic Dentstry is proven to be very effective in restoring your smile. There are procedures that can be accomplished in a day's work but there are some processes that will take more time to accomplish .. such as those procedures that require surgery. The majority of restoration procedures are affordable and well worth the investment. Cosmetic dentists specialize in teeth whitening that can take as little as one visit. There are other procedures that are involved like dental bridges, gum surgery, veneers and implants. The presence of black spots can be solved by filling up your tooth with tooth colored fillings. We can also fix dentures, lengthen your crown, and repair cracked teeth all with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

The demand for cosmetic dentistry has sky rocketed over the past few years. Increasing your confidence can be done through cosmetic dentistry, in great thanks to the advancement of technology and science.

Those who are fond of reading magazines and watching television are often curious how those models have such shiny white teeth. Well, there are people who are really gifted when it comes to their teeth. All they need is a little maintenance and they can have that bright smile for a long time. There are also people who have teeth that are easily broken or damaged. Some dentists say it is because of the lack of calcium in their body. However, we can all have that bright white smile by undergoing some dental procedures.

The most sought after treatments center around cosmetic dentistry, which has great benefits for people who have oral problems. Cosmetic Dentstry is proven to be very effective in restoring your smile. There are procedures that can be accomplished in a day's work but there are some processes that will take more time to accomplish .. such as those procedures that require surgery. The majority of restoration procedures are affordable and well worth the investment. Cosmetic dentists specialize in teeth whitening that can take as little as one visit. There are other procedures that are involved like dental bridges, gum surgery, veneers and implants. The presence of black spots can be solved by filling up your tooth with tooth colored fillings. We can also fix dentures, lengthen your crown, and repair cracked teeth all with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

The demand for cosmetic dentistry has sky rocketed over the past few years. Increasing your confidence can be done through cosmetic dentistry, in great thanks to the advancement of technology and science.

You might be thinking what is so important about our wisdom teeth when they can get us in so much trouble because of the pain. If you are currently suffering from this kind of pain, maybe it would help you to learn some important facts about removing wisdom teeth. Our wisdom teeth usually emerge while we are at the ages of 17 to 21 and these are the third set of molars that we get. To many people, this can be the start of some serious tooth problems.

The problem with our wisdom teeth is that they often grow in the wrong way. This can cause the other teeth in the arch to get pushed out of alignment. This in turn, can cause some really bad teeth formations where other dental problems may also arise from. Among the worst that could happen is when the wisdom tooth grows through the gum causing an opening where bacteria, plaque, and other debris can enter and get trapped. This is usually the cause of the severe wisdom tooth pain that we often experience.

Therefore, the most common and suitable treatment for this wisdom tooth pain is to remove them. Here are 5 tips you should know about removing your wisdom teeth.

1. The extraction of the wisdom teeth depends on their position.

If your wisdom tooth is completely erupted from the gum, then it is much easier to remove it. The problem lies when the wisdom are deeply rooted into the gum and jawbone.

2. Will you feel any pain?

The pain caused by the pulling of the teeth can range from minimal to almost none existent. This is because your gum and the teeth will be numbed prior to the procedure of removing wisdom tooth. If the dentist decides that you need to be sedated, you will be given a sedating medication to minimize or eliminate any anxiety you might be feeling.

3. How fast can you recover from the procedure?

The speed of your recovery will depend on the difficulty of the removing of your wisdom teeth. Nevertheless, your dentist will prescribe a pain medication to help ease any discomfort caused by the procedure.

4. Expect to experience some facial swelling.

You should expect some facial swelling on the area where your wisdom tooth was removed. To help minimize the swelling, you can use cold compress and hold it in place for about 10 to 20 minutes on and 10 to 20 minutes off.

5. When can you expect complete healing?

Again, it depends on the difficulty of the tooth extraction, but usually it ranges from a few weeks to even a couple of months. But within the first week after the dental procedure, you can expect a significant improvement in the healing of the affected area. The healing should be enough to let you eat more normally and have less bouts of pain or discomfort.

Be sure to contact us should you need to have your wisdom teeth removed. It is always a good decision to remove these molars since they tend to produce more problems than not. Set up an appointment with us today and we'll be happy to help.

Most people only visit the dentist when there is a problem with their teeth. The mentality is "My teeth don't hurt. Why go to a dentist?" However, visiting a dentist regularly can actually help to prevent tooth pain before it becomes a problem.

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months. During these regular checkups, your dentist will perform an oral cleaning, X-rays, and a physical examination of your teeth. These measures are taken to prevent tooth decay and catch potential problems early on, before they get out of hand.

You may be saying, "But I take good care of my teeth". This may be true, but despite your efforts to keep your teeth clean by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, there are still areas of your teeth that you cannot effectively clean. Visiting a dentist regularly can help to ensure that these areas are cleaned properly preventing tooth decay that often leads to tooth pain.

Tooth pain is an unnecessary situation. The dentists at Dream Smile Dental can ensure that your teeth are healthy and well cared for. However, tooth pain can sometimes be the least of your worries if you continuously skip visits to your dentist. Tooth pain is usually a sign of tooth decay. Although you may not realize it, this can be a very serious situation. Decaying teeth often develop pus-filled pockets called an abscess. An abscess, if addressed early on, can be cured by either antibiotics or by treating the affected tooth. If left untreated, you may risk losing your tooth which can lead to an unhealthy bite as well as digestive problems

Visiting your dentist twice a year can help to prevent problems with your teeth in the future. It also ensures that any existing problems are addressed before they become serious. If you have not seen your dentist recently, consider making an appointment today.

Oral cancer or medically known as oral cavity cancer, is any type of cancerous tissue development which is located in the oral cavity. It can originate in any tissues of the tongue and mouth which could be of any histolgic type (tumor) - teratoma, melanoma, adenocarcinoma, lymphoma or any other lymphoid tissue. Below are a few symptoms of oral cancer that you should be aware of:

• Red and white patches inside the mouth and lips
• Sore lip
• Mouth bleeding
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Difficulty wearing dentures
• Neck lump
• Pain in the ears

Almost 90% of oral cancer cases are carcinomas, originating mostly in the mouth and lips. These Squamous carcinomas are malignant tumors which spreads rapidly within nasal cavity, sinus and to the head and neck. The mortality rate for oral cancer is 35%. The reason why there is a low mortality rate for this type of cancer is that because most cases are not detected early. Prevention is the key to avoid this dreaded disease. Below are some known risk factors:

1. History of neck and head cancer
People who have had a experienced neck and head cancer are much prone in developing another cancer type or ordinary disease located in the head and neck.

2. Tobacco
Smoking is the number one cause for oral cancer. Any type of tobacco products like cigarette, pipes and cigars all can cause cancer. People who are heavy smokers are at higher risk for this disease.

3. Alcohol
Alcohol contributes highly to this type of cancer especially if the patient is a smoker or using any type of tobacco. Alcohol abuse can fasten the development of cancer by three folds than those people who don't drink.

Most importantly we have a machine called the Velscope that can detect a cancer below the surface up to 5 years before it becomes visibly noticeable.  This can save a person from having major reconstructive surgery which will alter their face (like the recent case of Robert Ebert from Siskel and Ebert movie critics).  He lost his whole lower face and can't speak.  The Velscope can help in catching cancer early and preventing these situations.


Oral cancer is a silent type of cancer disease which is deadly and life threatening. The only solution is to avoid this risk factors at all cost. The most known factor is tobacco so better cease smoking from now on to prevent any diseases such as this. Prevention is better than cure, take note of that! Contact us today if you or a loved one has any of the symptoms listed above. Also its best that when you schedule your next appointment that you talk with your dentist about oral cancer and more prevention methods.