Category: Blog

Not just sleep, but rather the quality of sleep matters for proper brain and bodily functions. If you are not getting sleep, it’s only a matter of time before your work or school performance starts dwindling. There are various causes of sleep problems. The treatments may also vary per patient depending on what is causing the sleep problems. We will talk about sleep apnea, its symptoms and treatment options in this article.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a relatively common condition affecting many people, regardless of age and dental health. People suffering from sleep apnea tend to experience breathing difficulties when sleeping, which as a result, causes them to get inefficient, low-quality sleep. The condition occurs when there is a limited air intake due to the upper airway muscles relaxing, thus limiting air passage. The disease affects men more than women and is more prevalent in overweight people,

Unfortunately, many cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed until they advance and become severe and challenging to treat.

Why Do You Need Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Sleep apnea may not be easy to self-diagnose since its symptoms tend to occur at night when the patient is asleep and unconscious. Unfortunately, this can have dire consequences as undiagnosed sleep apnea has been linked to severe health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

a) Reduces Risks of Vehicle Accidents

Sleep apnea treatment is essential as it can significantly reduce vehicle accidents caused by fatigue. Research shows vehicle drivers with sleep apnea are more likely to cause vehicle accidents than those who don’t have the condition. That is because lack of sufficient sleep causes loss of concentration and impedes fast decision-making, which can affect driving.

b) Improves Mental Health

People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea are at a higher risk of getting mental health problems such as moodiness, irritability and depression. Studies also found sleep apnea to be associated with anxiety. Mental health issues can cause self-esteem issues that can affect your performance and social life. Our sleep apnea dentist near Chino Hills can diagnose and treat your sleep apnea before it worsens and causes mental health problems.

c) Helps in Better Diabetes Management

Sleep apnea increases the chances of developing diabetes. The American Thoracic Society found that treating sleep apnea led to better insulin resistance in patients not diagnosed with diabetes. Research also found untreated sleep apnea patients already diagnosed with diabetes have a difficult time managing their blood sugar levels.

d) Increases Sleep Quality

People living with sleep apnea tend to regularly stop breathing, sometimes forcing them to wake up at night to catch a breath. The frequent interruptions in the patient’s sleeping patterns greatly affected their quality of sleep which caused them to feel tired and sleepy during the day. In addition, sleep apnea patients tend to snore at night, affecting their partner’s sleep. It’s, therefore, essential to see a sleep apnea dentist to seek treatment for your sleep apnea.

What are the Types of Sleep Apnea?

There are two common types of sleep apneas:

1) Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, which is commonly abbreviated to OSA, is the most common type of sleep apnea. The condition is caused by irregular breathing patterns resulting from over-relaxation of throat muscles, which limits air intake. OSA patients also tend to experience morning headaches and feel tired and sleepy during the daytime due to not getting enough sleep. Below are things that may increase the chances of getting obstructive sleep apnea:

> Lifestyle

Smoking and consuming alcohol regularly can increase the risk of getting obstructive sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol leads to the relaxation of throat muscles worsening the effects of OSA. On the other hand, smoking increases fluid retention and inflammation in the upper airways worsening the condition.

> Underlying Health Issues

Suffering from cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes makes it easier for you to get OSA. Having a lung disorder like asthma can also make symptoms more severe.

> Obesity

People carrying excess weight are more likely to experience OSA than healthy individuals. That is because obese patients tend to have excess fat, which may be deposited in the upper airway making it harder to breath.

> Age and Gender

In terms of age, patients above 60 years are more affected by sleep apnea than their younger counterparts. Regarding gender, men are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than women.

2) Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is caused by failure of the brain to send signals to respiratory muscles resulting in shortness of breath. Like OSA, central sleep apnea can affect anyone, irrespective of age. Obesity, being male and regular smoking and drinking will increase the risks of contracting central sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Daytime sleepiness
• Shortness of breath when sleeping
• Snoring at night
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Morning headaches

Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea treatment will vary depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. If you are suffering from mild sleep apnea, our dentist in Chino, CA 91710, may recommend lifestyle changes such as weight loss and giving up smoking and drinking. If the changes don’t work, our dentist will recommend sleep apnea therapy which is usually very successful at treating sleep apnea.

Get Sleep Apnea Treatment Near You

Sleep apnea is a common condition that can cause severe health problems if left untreated. Our dentist in Chino recommends immediate sleep apnea treatment to prevent complications resulting from sleep apnea. If you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact Ramona Dentistry of Chino for diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment in Chino, CA!

Tooth loss affects your smile, oral health, dental function, and self-esteem. Fortunately, dental professionals provide various options to replace missing teeth. One of the natural-looking and durable options is tooth implants. Read on to learn how to care for your dental implants after getting them.

What are Dental Implants?

They are types of dental restorations used by our dentist in Chino, CA, to help replace missing teeth. Dental implants are surgically fixed in the jawbone or gums to support various tooth replacements. For example, an implant can support crowns, dentures, or bridges. They enable the replacement of one or several teeth. Also, getting dental implants help restore full dental function.

What is Dental Implant Aftercare?

The procedure for dental implants is pain-free and comfortable. It is because your dentist will take precautions to prevent pain or discomfort. For example, they use anesthesia and sedation during the procedure. However, you will experience side effects like swelling, tenderness, and pain later. You should also expect slight bleeding from the operated site.

The symptoms will continue until the gums heal and the implant fuses with your jawbone. Therefore, you should properly care for your mouth and the surgical site afterward. Dental implant aftercare begins immediately after the procedure. Proper aftercare promotes fast recovery and helps manage the symptoms.

> Do’s After Dental Implant Surgery

• Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions: People have various issues requiring specialized care after implant surgery. Therefore, you should follow your dentist’s precise instructions following the procedure. Doing so ensures fast and successful healing.
• Take Rest: Get plenty of rest after the procedure. Resting will help prevent excess bleeding and swelling and promote healing. So, clear your schedule for a day or two and get someone to help you while you relax.
• Elevate Your Head: Ensure you elevate your head while lying down for adequate blood flow to the head. Elevating your head helps to decrease swelling in the surgical site and prevents excessive swelling.
• Check What You Eat: After the implant procedure, your gums and mouth will be sore, irritable, and swollen for a few days. Therefore, you should avoid taking spicy, hard, hot, or chewy foods for the first several days. Instead, consume soft, nutritious foods. Try more solid ones as the swelling and pain decrease.
• Ease The Discomfort and Swelling: Use pain relieving medication and cold packs to reduce pain and swelling in your mouth. Take medicine as instructed by your dentist, and use the ice packs for ten minutes on and off.
• Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene: Brushing your teeth and flossing after the procedure is essential. However, you should wait until the dentist approves before brushing at the implant site. In the meantime, maintain proper hygiene by using a warm saline rinse after meals. However, use the rinses at least 24 hours after the procedure.
• Attend Post-surgery Dental Evaluation: Visiting our dentist near Chino Hills during recovery is crucial. The expert will ensure you recover fast and have no complications.
• If You Have Bruxism, Use Customized Night Guards as You Sleep: They will prevent dislodging or damaging the implant. A nightguard also prevents excess pain when you grind your teeth around the implant site.

> Don’ts During Dental Implant Recovery

• Do not resume normal activities or do strenuous exercise immediately after surgery. This helps avoid excessive bleeding and swelling.
• Avoid hot foods and beverages since they increase bleeding, pain, and swelling.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods since they irritate your gums and lead to excessive pain and bleeding.
• Do not smoke or take alcohol as you heal following a dental implant procedure. The contents in alcohol and tobacco inhibit healing and may lead to implant failure.

Conclusion

Dental implants look like natural teeth making them unnoticeable when you smile or speak. They restore your chewing and speaking functions like natural teeth. In addition, implants are long-lasting, sturdy, and a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Get Dental Implants Near You

Are you considering replacing your damaged or missing teeth with tooth implants near Chino Hills? Then contact us at Ramona Dentistry of Chino to get dental implants in Chino CA. We offer various dental implant options depending on the number of missing teeth. Also, we consider personal needs to make a choice that improves your smile and facial looks.

People who might be self-conscious about traditional braces will consider clear aligners as their option. Invisalign clear aligners can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues. Here is a comprehensive overview of what they are and how to take care of them.

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Invisalign aligners are clear, smooth plastic braces used in orthodontic treatment. They are virtually invisible and removable, especially when eating, flossing, or brushing your teeth. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable compared to traditional braces. They do not irritate your gums or cheeks during your treatment process. Their treatment is estimated to last 12 to 18 months, depending on the severity of your orthodontic issue.

Why Do You Need Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here is why you may need Invisalign to enhance your smile:

• If you have crowded or misaligned teeth
• Have gapped teeth
• Bite issues such as underbite, crossbite, or overbite

What are the Tips to Clean Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Here are some important tips, do’s, and don’ts after getting Invisalign clear aligners:

Do’s after Getting Invisalign

• Clean Your Aligners Daily: Before wearing your aligners, remember to clean them. First, wash your hands and clean one clear aligner at a time using soap and water. Clean them inside and outside carefully and gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the aligners. Wearing unclean aligners can put you at risk of developing bad breath and tooth decay.
• Soak Them Every Day: To ensure that your aligners look and smell fresh, you must soak them at least once daily. You can soak them in a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. After you have soaked them, get a toothbrush to brush off plaque and food particles from it. Use a different toothbrush from the one you use for your teeth. After brushing the Invisalign, rinse them off using warm water before placing them back into your mouth.
• Rinse Them Off After Removing Them: Whether you are taking them off to eat, drink or brush your teeth, rinse the aligners every time you take them off. This prevents plaque and dry saliva from building up.
• Brush Your Teeth Before Putting Them Back: Our dentist in Chino, CA recommends that your teeth and gums remain healthy during Invisalign treatment. Practicing regular oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth will keep your teeth strong and healthy. Before putting your aligners back on, endure your gums and teeth are clean. If not, food particles can get trapped against your teeth inside the aligners and could lead to decay or gum infections.
• Take Them Out Every Morning: Bacteria builds up on the Invisalign trays while sleeping. Developing a morning routine of removing and cleaning your trays is vital to your oral health.
• Handle Stains Gently: Even after adequately caring for them, you may notice that your aligners are getting cloudy or discolored. Our dentist near you suggests not to use anything harsh or harmful when removing stains. You can eliminate the cloudiness by mixing equal measurements of warm water and hydrogen peroxide and soaking the aligners in the solution for a few hours.

Don’ts after Getting Invisalign

• Leave Your Trays Lying Around: Store them in a safe place when you are not using your aligners. Leaving them out in the open air exposes them to bacteria buildup. In addition, there is also the chance that they may get lost or damaged. Always carry your aligner case with you. If you forgot your case, soak the aligners before using them again.
• Eat Or Drink with Your Aligners On: While it’s okay to drink water while wearing your aligners, our Invisalign dentist near Chino Hills recommends removing them when eating and taking other beverages. This is because other drinks and food substances can stain the aligners. In addition, they are also not made to withstand the pressure of chewing or biting. This can damage the aligners or get food particles stuck on them.
• Use Scented Soaps: Using a scented or colored soap to clean your aligners will leave them tasting unpleasant when wearing them. The colors used in soaps may also stain the aligners.
• Don’t Use Toothpaste: The majority of toothpaste contains abrasives like silica or baking soda. These abrasives are very helpful when removing stains from your teeth. However, when used on plastic aligners, they can rub away the plastic and cause grooves and scratches. This will make your aligners look cloudy.
• Use Hot Water: While hot water might seem like the best way to kill germs and bacteria from your aligners, it can damage them. The heat can manipulate their shape and enable them not to straighten your teeth effectively. Use lukewarm water when cleaning your aligners.

Visit an Orthodontist Near You

Figuring out how Invisalign aligners work and how to clean them is vital in ensuring that they remain in good condition. The cleaning routine is easy though it may take time before you commit to the steps. Contact us at Ramona Dentistry of Chino if you are ready for a straighter smile with Invisalign in Chino, CA!