Wednesday, September 18, 2013

You Could Have Sleep Apnea and Not Even Know it

It may be hard to believe, but some people have no idea that they are suffering from Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea affects people all over the world. Your Woodlands Dentist explains that Sleep Apnea is a condition that causes men, women, and sometimes children to stop breathing while they are asleep. Recent studies have shown that people who suffer from Sleep Apnea are at risk for other complications.

Patients who suffer from Sleep Apnea and go through a sleep study wake up as many as 112 times an hour. That means that some patients who have Sleep Apnea will stop breathing two times a minute.

Unfortunately, some people who have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea after a Sleep Apnea study resort to surgery, but doctors are asking that more research be done as surgery for Sleep Apnea could cause serious complications. Although surgery may sound like an appealing option as opposed to wearing a continuous positive air pressure or CPAP while they sleep, your Woodlands Dentist Dr. Dernick will tell you there are other options.

According to Health.com surgery for Sleep Apnea has a 25 to 30 percent success rate and patients who suffer from severe Sleep Apnea are less likely to eliminate Sleep Apnea symptoms. If your doctor promises that surgery will cure your Sleep Apnea, it is time to schedule an appointment with a Woodlands Dentist who specializes in Sleep Apnea.   

Non-invasive methods are always the best option when it comes to Sleep Apnea, but Dr. Dernick, your Dentist in Woodlands, can help you sleep better at night and it does not require surgery, or a CPAP machine.

When you schedule an appointment with the best Woodlands Dentist, Dr. Dernick, and the doctors that he works with, will most likely suggest a sleep study. During the sleep study, you will be monitored in order to diagnose Sleep Apnea. If you do have Sleep Apnea, your Dentist in Woodlands and his staff will offer an alternative to a cumbersome CPAP machine.

Your Woodlands Dentist can make custom fitted and fabricated oral appliances that will help you sleep better. The appliances that are worn overnight will help your jaw move forward allowing your airways to open up. Sleep Apnea appliances have had amazing results, and are the best alternative when it comes to Sleep Apnea. Although you can buy oral appliances over the counter at your local drugstore, your Dentist is Woodlands does not recommend it. Dr. Dernick and his professional staff have had oral appliance therapy and know what is best for you.

If you believe that you may have Sleep Apnea, or have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, schedule an appointment with your Woodlands Dentist today. 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Ask Your Woodlands Dentist about Sleep Apnea

According to the best Dentist in Woodlands Texas, people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea experience disturbed sleep along with lower levels of oxygen in their blood. Men and women who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea run the risk of developing heart disease, hypertension and memory and mood problems because of oxygen starvation and disrupted sleep. Those who have sleep apnea are also more apt to become involved in a car accident.

Sleep apnea could be life threatening, and if you suspect that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your Woodlands Dentist.

Your Dentist in Woodlands works with other physicians who are experts when it comes to sleep apnea. When you schedule an appointment with your Woodlands Dentist, he will ask you how you have been sleeping and other questions regarding your sleep habits. If Dr. Dernick believes that you may have a problem sleeping he may schedule a sleep study, which usually requires an overnight stay, in order to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea.

During the sleep study, your functions will be closely monitored while you are asleep. Those monitoring your study will check your sleep state, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, respiratory efforts, and airflow.  If your Dentist in Woodlands and his attending physicians diagnose sleep apnea Dr. Dernick will fabricate oral appliances that are custom made to fit.

The custom-made oral appliances from your Woodlands Dentist will help you sleep better avoiding some of the medical and emotional problems that go along with sleep apnea and are much more comfortable than traditional sleep apnea devices such as a continuous positive airway pressure device, otherwise known as a CPAP.

Your Dentist in Woodlands recommends lifestyle changes that could alleviate some of the symptoms of sleep apnea. These include:
  • Weight loss
  • Cutting down on alcohol
  • Quit smoking
  • Sleeping on your side instead of your back


Sleep apnea affects millions of people all over the world, and if you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment today with your Dentist in Woodlands.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Don’t Wait Until It Is Too Late

Gum disease can cause all kinds of problems and not just with your teeth. Recent studies have shown that gum disease can cause additional problems, especially if you let it go untreated. Bleeding and swollen gums, consistent bad breath and tooth aches are just a few of the problems that you will begin to notice if you are suffering from gum disease and that is where your Dentist in Woodlands comes in. Dr. Robert Dernick has been helping people just like you get rid of gum disease giving you the healthy mouth and smile that you have always wanted.

Your Woodlands Dentist will tell you that gum disease does not always cause discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, most people do not even know that they have gum disease until it has progressed to periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is usually accompanied by bleeding gums. If you suspect that you may be in the early stages of gum disease, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with the best Dentist in Woodlands.

Gum disease is caused by food that is caught in between your teeth and if you do not brush, floss, and see your Woodlands Dentist on a regular basis, bacteria will begin to develop. Bacteria or plaque will eventually turn into tartar that can destroy your healthy gums. Once the bacteria have settled into your gums it can cause your bones to shrink away from your teeth. A loose tooth is a sure sign that you have a periodontal disease. Unfortunately, if you have reached this stage and your teeth are already falling out the damage has been done and is irreversible. If your perodontitis has gotten to this point, your Dentist in Woodlands will have to replace your lost teeth with dental implants, dentures, or bridges.

Your Woodlands Dentist can easily treat your gum disease, but if you want to avoid restorations, you must schedule regular appointments with your Dr. Dernick. Your Dentist in Woodlands and his highly trained team of professionals will monitor your gums by measuring the depths of your gum lines. If there are noticeable pockets, your Woodlands Dentist will recommend a deep cleaning or scaling and planing.

Do not wait until it is too late. Schedule an appointment with the Best Dentist in Woodlands from a thorough examination. Only Dr. Dernick will be able to determine if you are suffering from gum disease.