Questions From Our Members - Sleep Apnea

Question from our member:

D. Davis of Newport Beach, California asks: 

“I am an obese man with sleep apnea.  My doctor has suggested that trimming my tongue fat may help with my sleep apena.  Is there any truth to this?”

Savon’s Answer:

Yes, it does appear that reducing tongue fat may help clear up obstructive sleep apena.  In a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers used a M.R.I. to measure the effect of weight loss on the upper airway in obese patients. They found that a reduction in tongue fat lessened the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms.

About 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, which can be a potentially fatal health condition.  Not only does it disrupt your sleep, it can increase your risk for high blood pressure and stroke.

Obesity is the primary risk factor for developing sleep apnea, but a recessed jaw or large tonsils can also be the cause.


Original post is from out February 2020 Newsletter!

CBD Oil for TMJ and Related Pain

There are many causes of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain) but it seems the most common occurrence is pain. Studies have shown that by treating the causes of TMJ, pain can be greatly reduced or even alleviated.  One of the chief causes of TMJ is bruxism, or teeth grinding.  This can happen as a result of whiplash, misalignment of teeth, stress, anxiety and a variety of other reasons. It can cause damage to the teeth, headache, tinnitus and pain, among other things, over time.  It has been suggested that CBD oil (Cannabinoids) can help relieve the painful symptoms of TMJ by reducing stress, anxiety and relaxing muscles; thereby relieving pain.
Click here to read an interesting article about TMJ and treatment with CBD oil for relief without side effects!

Keep Smiling!!!

Soda Vs. Teeth

Starting at a young age we are told "stay away from sugary drinks, they are bad for your teeth". As a kid, you probably thought "yeah right" and now you are wishing you had listened to your parents.

Did you know that citrus-flavored sodas are the worst for your teeth? with that being said...Mountain Dew is the worst type  and it can cause "mountain dew mouth"  if you drink enough of it. 

Mountain Dew mouth is said to mostly affect the Appalachia region of the United States due to the poverty levels. About 98% of the people who live in this region suffer from tooth decay before the age of 44.

If you are a Mountain Dew drinker, you should rinse your mouth out with water after every can, bottle or cup of Mountain Dew. Also, continue to brush and floss twice a day and see your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings. 

Picture is from google images'


Information found here!

Tooth Cupping

Have you ever heard of tooth cupping (dental cupping or dental potholes)? Good, neither have I!

What is tooth cupping?

Tooth cupping happens when the enamel and dentin that protects the outside of your teeth have worn down (erosion) causing concave dents within your teeth.

What causes tooth cupping?

There are many factors that can cause enamel erosion, some include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Excessive soft drink consumption
• Juice
• Dry mouth
• Poor diet
• Medications

Treatment?

Depending on the severity, your dentist may suggest one of the following to prevent further damage:

• Low: left alone
• Medium: small amount of compost restoration (filling) 
• Critical: crown  

If you notice start to notice any concave dents, consult with dentist for further treatment options!

*Picture is from google images*

Tips for Better Dental Health in Dogs

This is one area that is the most neglected when it comes to a dogs health.  Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to a variety of health problems for your pet, such as infection and malnutrition.

Here are some useful tips to help you maintain your dogs oral health. 

Do The Breath Test

Sniff your dog’s breath. If it smells bad and is accompanied by a loss of appetite, vomiting or excessive urinating, might be a good idea to take your dog to the vet.

Check Under Lips
Check your dog’s gums often looking to make sure they are pink, not white or red. His teeth should be clean, without any brownish tartar.

Signs of Oral Disease

• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Inflamed gums
• Tumors in the gums
• Cysts under the tongue
• Loose teeth

Chewy Treats
They now make healthy chew treats that focus on dental health for dogs of all sizes. Dogs need to chew in order to keep their teeth strong.  Just make sure you buy a size that is appropriate for your dog!

Chew Toys
They not only satisfy your dog’s desire to chomp, they also help make his teeth strong. They can help massage his gums and keep soft tartar off his teeth.

Original post by btflbutterfly
Edited by walnutflwr 10/29/14

Dry Socket Remedies

If you have ever suffered from a dry socket you know how painful they can be. Luckily, there are a few home remedies to help alleviate the pain until you are able to see your dentist.

• Clove Oil: Apply 1-2 drops of clove oil onto a gauze pad and place it on the site of the extraction. Clove oil contains antimicrobial and antiseptic properties along with eugenol to help relive pain.
• Salt Water Rinse: Rinsing with warm salt water helps reduce swelling and helps prevent bacteria from forming.
• Honey: Soak a sterile piece of gauze in honey and dab it gently onto the extraction site. Honey contains antibacterial properties that may help protect against infections.
• Turmeric: A mixture of turmeric and mustard oil has been proven to reduce pain and discomfort.
• Green or Black Tea: Soak a tea bag in hot water, remove and let it cool. Once the tea bag is cool place over the extraction site. Tea's contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Aloe Vera: Apply a small amount of aloe to the extraction site. Aloe contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it also contains collagen which promotes faster wound healing.

Remember these are just a few remedies to help manage the pain until you can see your dentist. It's important to have your dentist take care of the dry socket because they will remove any debris that are in the extraction area. They also have medication that they will "stuff" into the hole to help promote faster healing. You may be asked to come back for check ups until the socket begins to heal. 

Information found here!

Some Dental Randomness...Fun Facts!

More endless research on the internet turned up these interesting trivial facts!

• In the year 1900, the tooth fairy would leave approximately 12 cents. In the year 1998, one dollar. Imagine, at the current rate of inflation....the year 2020...NICE! $$$$$
• You cannot conceal your smoking habit with mouthwash or brushing before a visit! That's right, your dentist knows :).....Apparently, the smoke residue seeps into the tissue surrounding your gums....
• You would need to have more than 300 amalgam fillings to even come close to the amount of mercury that is considered dangerous.
• 100 years ago, 50% of adults in North America were toothless!
• The first electric toothbrush was introduced in 1939.
• The antibacterial properties in Black and Green Tea CAN help prevent cavities.
• Chewing gum that contains Xylitol can help prevent cavities by reducing the bad bacteria in your mouth!
• Mouthwashes containing alcohol are only temporarily effective, and the alcohol dries out your mouth.
• Snails have teeth! Thousands of them....
• Turtles are toothless!
• You will get more radiation from an hour in the sun than from a dental x-ray.

One more....this one is great!

• A survey once done by Time Magazine concluded that 59% of Americans would prefer to sit in a dentist's chair than to sit next to someone on a cell phone!

Enjoy, and Keep Smiling!

My Teeth Could Use Some Brightening- What Actually Works?

We all know that coffee, tea, wine, dark snacks and condiments will stain our teeth. This does not mean you have to swear them off Though!

The dietitian says:
 Just rinse your mouth with water right after eating, or stash some sugar free chewing gum. Consider adding foods and drinks that work towards whiter teeth into your diet, such as cheese, fruit and veggies.

-Lisa Young, PH.D

The dentist says:
Use at home teeth whiting kits such as Crest 3D whiting strips for lighter stains. For darker stains or instant result you will need professional whitening.

-Marc Lowenberg, D.D.S.

The makeup artist says:.
Cool-toned lip colors create an optical illusion. Fair skin should wear pinks, medium/olive toned skin should wear reds, while darker skin tones should stick to plums. Another trick is to dust some bronzer. Tanned skin makes teeth stand out!

-Matthew VanLeeuwen, Celebrity makeup artist



 Information was found in the redbook magazine. October 2013