Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Sleep Apnea and Anxiety

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Anxiety and sleep apnea have been linked in a number of studies. In 2012, a European study found that more than half of sleep apnea patients also "had some degree of depression and anxiety."

It is important to note that it has not been proven that sleep problems cause anxiety or that anxiety causes sleep problems. A University of California - Berkeley researcher said "It's been hard to tease out whether sleep loss is simply a byproduct of anxiety, or whether sleep disruption causes anxiety." I believe that this "chicken or egg" conundrum will be found to go both directions - depending on the patient.

The connection between anxiety and sleep disorders intrigued University of California- Berkeley researchers. They are trying to discover whether treating one condition will influence the other. Their goal is to find the connection between lack of sleep and the increase in brain activity that contributes to excessive worrying and anxiety. Their study concluded that experiencing sleep deprivation increased "anticipatory anxiety".

Dr. Matthew Walker said "These finding help us realize that those people who are anxious by nature are the same people who will suffer the greatest harm from sleep deprivation." He continued, "By restoring good quality sleep in people suffering from anxiety, we may be able to help ameliorate their excessive worry."

CPAP Raising Your Anxiety Levels?

About half of sleep apnea patients find they cannot tolerate sleeping with the machine all night or even use it at all. A custom oral appliance from a dentist trained to treat sleep disorders can successfully treat mild to serious sleep apnea without the hoses or masks.

Our patients find sleeping with an oral appliance comfortable and highly effective. Visit our Boca Raton office for full service dental and sleep apnea treatment or ask about sleep apnea treatment in our Jupiter, Port St. Lucie or Vero Beach locations. Call us at 1-800-343-SLEEP to schedule your consultation.

Labels: anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea

yourdentalblog

Afraid of the Dentist?

Don't worry about being afraid of the dentist - you are not alone. Lots of people experience anxiety when it comes to receiving dental care and some people have full-blown dental phobias.

Why do you feel this way? There are lots of explanations including a previous bad experience, parents instilling fear when you were a child or just the lack of control you experience while receiving dental care.

If your vision of a dental visit looks like this photo then sedation dentistry might be right for you.

Most patients are comfortable using nitrous oxide or laughing gas during procedures, even dental cleanings. This form of inhaled sedation allows you to relax but clears from your system quickly so you can still drive yourself home.

Some patients find that oral medication taken before the appointment is effecting at calming their anxiety.

For patients who are extremely phobic or who require a lot of dental care at one appointment our office works closely with another medical practitioner to provide deeper sedation.

Don't let your anxiety stand in the way of a beautiful, healthy smile. Contact us today at 561-394-9000 to schedule your visit.

Labels: anxiety

yourdentalblog

Boo! Halloween Doesn't Have to be Scary for your Smile

Is Halloween a scary time for your child's smile? It doesn't have to be. Your children can still enjoy their Halloween treats without damaging their teeth if you follow a few simple rules.

Avoid the sour and sticky stuff. Sour candies like War Heads, etc. contain a lot of acids plus a lot of sugar and the combination destroys dental enamel - just toss these.
Say yes to chocolate. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is actually good for your oral health (in moderation of course). A chocolate bar filled with sticky stuff - not so much!
Avoid sticky, gooey candies. The sugar literally sticks to the teeth which hastens tooth decay.
Don't let your children graze on their candy throughout the day. The best time to allow candy consumption is right after a meal. Saliva is flowing and will help quickly wash away the sugars and, because they aren't hungry, your child won't eat as much candy!

Have your child rinse their mouth with water or chew some sugarless gum right after eating candy. Don't have them brush immediately, but wait about 30 minutes. This gives the saliva time to restore the dental enamel strength following the sugar attack!

Schedule regular dental cleanings for your entire family and help avoid tooth decay. For more information contact Boca Raton dentist Dr. Kenneth Mogell at 561-394-9000.

Labels: tooth decay

yourdentalblog

I Hate Flossing

Friday, September 13, 2013

Dentist hear these words a lot "I hate flossing!"

I understand, flossing is not the most fun or exciting way to spend your time but there are very few things you can do to improve your overall health that take such little effort, so little time and such a small expense.

Don't believe me? Think about the things we are always told we need to do to be healthier overall: exercise, eat right and avoid any vices like drinking or smoking.

I happen to love exercise so for me that isn't a chore but most people have to really force themselves to go to the gym or go for a run. Passing up the donuts and burgers is something we all know we should do but most of us give in to temptation - after all, we don't always have time to cut and chop our way to vegetable goodness for every meal. Smokers all know they should quit but it is very hard and having a drink with friends is part of the social fabric.

So just how does flossing improve your health? Flossing prevents gum disease (and some tooth decay). Gum disease causes inflammation throughout the body and has been linked to everything from heart disease to premature birth to certain cancers. Even dementia may have an oral health connection.

Flossing only takes a few minutes each day - you can do it at any time and any place. You can floss while watching TV or while reading a book. Keep a package of floss picks (those little plastic handles with a piece of floss attached) in the car and you can floss at stop lights!

Not sure about your flossing technique. Ask Shari or Katherine how it should be done at your next hygiene visit. Make your appointment today by contacting us at 561-394-9000.

Labels: dental hygiene

yourdentalblog

3 Ways a Cosmetic Dentist Can Change Your Smile

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The world of cosmetic dentistry is full of amazing things that a trained cosmetic dentist can do to give you the smile of your dreams. Here are three popular options:

Teeth Whitening. You might not think that whitening your teeth falls under the heading of cosmetic dentistry but safely getting your teeth to their perfect shade of white is a popular and important part of any practice. There are two ways to whiten - for those seeking immediate gratification we offer the Zoom! one hour whitening system. For those patients who seek more control over the exact shade they would like their teeth to be, we suggest custom bleaching trays and our take-home professional strength bleaching gel (different strengths are offered in case you may have sensitive teeth). Many patients opt to combine the two, using the Zoom! whitening to jump start the process and then using the bleaching trays to do "touch ups" to keep their smile white.
Dental Veneers. Veneers are very thin restorations created in a lab. They can be used to "straighten" crooked teeth or to create a beautiful white smile for those who have discolored teeth that can't be bleached. Veneers can be used to correct just one tooth or several can be used to change the entire look of your smile. Dental veneers are made of porcelain have a very natural, lifelike appearance. They are durable and long-lasting.
Gum Lift. Do you have a gummy smile? If you do, you know exactly what I mean. Some people are really bothered by the appearance of their gummy smile. The good news is that we can change the appearance of your gum line so that your smile doesn't appear to be all gums!

These are only 3 of the ways that we can use cosmetic dental techniques to improve your smile. Find out more by contacting Boca Raton cosmetic dentist Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell today at 561-394-9000 to schedule a consultation.

Labels: Boca Raton cosmetic dentist, Zoom

yourdentalblog

Do Home Whitening Kits Work?

Saturday, September 07, 2013

You have been thinking about whitening your teeth and, with all the whitening treatments available, trying to figure out if home whitening might work for you.

Many people now choose to bypass professional whitening treatments with their dentists to rid themselves of any stains or imperfections and try a DIY approach. Although many home whitening kits, gels, and strips, are safe to use, they are not the always the best option.

Let’s take a look at the most important things to know before using a DIY whitening treatment.

Gum disease or sensitivity? Then at-home whitening treatments are not a good choice. Only use an at-home treatment if you already have relatively good dental health. If you have dental issues such as receding gums, cavities, or sensitive oral tissue, these issues can be aggravated by using a bleaching treatment.
Dental Work? If you have veneers or crowns in the front of your mouth, remember that they will not bleach!
What time of staining do you have? Only a dental professional can tell you if the type of staining you have will react well to bleaching.
Read the labels carefully. Many DIY whitening treatments contain high amounts of bleach and peroxide. High concentrations of these chemicals cause irritation to the gums and can erode tooth enamel. These chemicals are most commonly found in inexpensive whitening treatments, so it is important to buy a product from a reputable company or brand that you trust.
Choose strips, not trays. Many home whitening kits come with dental trays that do not adhere poorly to your teeth. The chemical solution can easily leak out of these trays, and into your mouth. Swallowing bleach or peroxide can be extremely hazardous to your health, not to mention damaging to your mouth. This same warning goes for the "bleaching" kiosks at the mall! Using dental whitening strips, which adhere to the teeth more firmly to the teeth, are usually a better option than a whitening tray.
Do not use if you are pregnant. It is almost always inevitable that the some chemicals in the kits will be swallowed during use, and these chemicals can be extremely dangerous and cause unknown risks to the fetus.
'Old fashioned treatments' are still effective. Perhaps the safest way to whiten your teeth at home is simply by brushing. Most toothpastes now contain whitening agents, which buff away surface stains, leaving your teeth white and smooth.

Home whitening treatments can be effective for some types of staining. However, the safest way to obtain a vibrant, stain-free smile is to have a whitening treatment done by your dentist. Whether you opt for custom whitening trays to use at home or Zoom! one hour whitening, your smile will be more youthful and bright.