Parkville Dental Center

Two new studies indicated that sleep apnea has been linked to a higher risks of developing cancer. Researchers found that people with severe sleep apnea were at nearly five-times the risk of cancer. Scientists say sleep apnea-a widespread disorder suffered by 28 million Americans, which disrupts breathing and causes snoring- is linked to low blood oxygen levels. That lack of oxygen can trigger the development of tumors. Treating sleep apnea will improve your quality of life, as well as reduce your risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. And, if you have cancer, treating sleep apnea may help increase your odds of surviving cancer. If you suffer from sleep apnea call today for an appointment today!

How to identify sleep apnea symptoms:#1 Pay attention to how you feel. One very common symptom of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness. Ofter, this fatigue leads to memory problems,irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating , and even changes in mood/personality.
#2 Watch for physical signs. Physical sleep apnea symptoms can easily be mistaken for other ailments, but include: headaches, swelling in the legs and dry mouth in the morning. At night, the patient may experience heartburn, chest pain, excessive sweating while sleeping, and the need to wake up and urinate.
#3 Ask someone to watch you while you sleep. Many times, the first person to notice a patient's sleep apnea symptoms is the patient's bed partner. While asleep, a person with sleep apnea almost always snores, and snores the loudest when sleeping on his or her back. They toss and turn often, and even gasp or choke while asleep. The telltale sign of sleep apnea, however, is an unnatural pause in their breathing/snoring, followed by an apparent struggle for air. This can occur many times in one night.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms listed above call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Huke who is a highly trained TruDenta dentist helping to improve your life , not just your teeth.

May : It's the month of Mother's Day, spring flowers, graduations. But May is also Better Sleep Month. Although we might pay close attention to exercise and nutrition, Americans tend to forget the importance of sleep in maintaining wellness. Getting a quality six to eight hours can contribute to improved physical and mental health at home and in the workplace. In a study, nearly 2 out of 3 respondents reported impaired sleep due to stress. One third of Americans experience poor sleep at least one night per week, and 16% are diagnosed with stress-induced insomnia. Over 40% of survey participants stated they were irritable due to sleep deprivation. Respondents stated their productivity at home and in the workplace was impacted by sleep problems. An estimated $150 billion in lost productivity and absenteeism results from poor sleep. Sleep deprivation can result in a level of impairment as the equivalent of having consumed six alcoholic beverages. Sleep deficits have also been associated with weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, impaired immunity, and decreased tolerance of chronic pain. So this May, go outdoors and enjoy the weather, remember your mom, and resolve to get a better night's sleep. You deserve it!

April is also" Diabetes Awareness Month"-When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body-including your teeth and gums. The good news? Prevention is in your hands. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is key. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of: Tooth decay, early gum disease and advanced gum disease. Learn what you're up against, and then take charge of your dental health.

April may bring showers to mind, but it has also been declared "National Stress Month". Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being "on edge". Too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall health. The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes: Mouth sores, clenching of teeth (bruxism), poor oral hygiene, gum disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease. Individuals with high stress levels tend to increase their bad habits. They should seek healthy ways to relieve stress through exercise, balanced eating, plenty of sleep, and maintaining a positive mental attitude.

Do you have an unattractive smile? While an unattractive smile is not technically a "dental problem", it is considered a dental problem by people who are unhappy with their smile and it's also a major reason that many patients seek dental treatment. An unattractive smile can really lower a person's self-esteem. Luckily, with today's technologies and developments, anyone can have a beautiful smile. Whether it's teeth whitening, dental implants, orthodontics or other cosmetic dental work, chances are that Dr. Huke can give you the smile of your dreams. Call today to get the smile you have always wanted.

March is National Nutrition Month, during this month people should remember that good eating habits not only help maintain weight and healthy hearts, but also help the health of your teeth. While most people know that sugar is bad for the teeth, few know that some foods that are healthy for general health are also good for the teeth. And keeping teeth in good shape, in return, also helps overall health. This month we will be posting more information nutrition and healthy teeth.

Sugar is linked to childhood obesity, which in turn can increase the chance of developing Type II diabetes. Gum disease is also linked to diabetes, among other health problems. Acid is at the root of damage to teeth-either acidic foods and drink, or acids produced by the oral bacteria that live on sugar and convert it into tooth-damaging material. In planning whole-body nutrition, people should consider foods and liquids that counteract tooth-harming acids, provide vitamins and minerals that support healthy teeth and repair damage and stimulate the flow of saliva. It's important to remember that the body is a complete system. Proper nutrition supports not only healthy weight, blood pressure and heart health, but it also supports healthy teeth. This is important because unhealthy teeth and gums can have a serious impact on the whole body.

Why is dry mouth a problem? Besides causing the aggravating symptoms mentioned in last post, dry mouth also increases a persons risk of gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay, and mouth inections, such as thrush. Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.

How is dry mouth treated? If you think your mouth is caused by certain medication you are taking, talk to your doctor. He or she may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different drug that doesn't cause dry mouth. In addition, an oral rinse to restore mouth moisture may be prescribed. If that doesn't help a medication that stimulates saliva production, called Salagen, may be prescribed.

Here are a few steps you can take that may help improve saliva flow. Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing gum- Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist-Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride tooth paste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your dentist regularly- Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible- Using a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air-Using an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.

Today we will be talking about the side effects of certain medical treatments that can cause dry mouth. Damage to the salivary glands , the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced. Dry mouth can also be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck from an injury or surgery.

Common symptoms of dry mouth include: a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth-frequent thirst-sores in the mouth- sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth- cracked lips-a dry feeling in the throat-a burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and tongue-a dry, red, raw tongue-bad breath-hoarseness. Tomorrow we will be talking about why dry mouth is a problem and how to treat it.

Dental health and dry mouth. We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth. The next couple of days we will be posting more information on dry mouth.

What causes dry mouth? There are several causes of dry mouth. These include: Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety,pain,allergies and colds.  Drugs to treat obesity,acne,epilepsy, hypertension, asthma can also cause dry mouth.

Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, azheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia,cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, stroke and mumps.