TREATING SLEEP APNEA IN NIAGARA FALLS AND NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often for a minute or longer. If you snore loudly and feel tired after a full night’s sleep, you might suffer from sleep apnea. Around 1 in 5 adults have mild symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, while 1 in 15 have moderate-to-severe symptoms.
There are three types of sleep apnea; obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form that occurs during sleep when the throat muscles, tongue and soft tissues of the mouth relax causing the airway to become blocked. Despite the difference in the root cause of each type, in all three, people with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during the night.
Common Signs and Effects
Some of the common signs of apnea are:
Snoring
Choking, interrupted breathing or gasping while sleeping
Inability to fall asleep or remain asleep
Frequently waking up thirsty or with a sore or dry throat
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Jerking limb movements during sleep
SIDE EFFECTS
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Mood swings
Daytime fatigue
Heart rhythm disturbances
High blood pressure
Heart failure
Severe sleep apnea can result in serious complications, including high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, and even heart failure. People suffering from severe sleep apnea are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents. In addition, accidents associated with drowsiness are more often fatal.
To treat obstructive sleep apnea, we provide practical oral appliances that are small in size, portable and easy to wear. These devices are affordable and especially attractive in comparison to alternatives such as CPAP machines. Call us to find the oral appliance right for you.
ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARDS IN NIAGARA FALLS AND NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
Athletic mouthguards are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably over the upper teeth. When it comes to sports equipment, mouth guards are a priority. They protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and most importantly, they protect from concussions and jaw fractures.
A mouthguard should be worn whenever one is involved in an activity with risks of falling or head contact with other players or equipment. Football, baseball, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics are common sports.
Often, football and hockey are considered the most dangerous sports for teeth, but nearly half of the sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.
Any mouthguard is better than no mouthguard. However, it is important to choose a mouth guard that fits comfortably. If a mouth guard interferes with breathing or speech, or if it feels bulky, it won't be worn.
When not in use, all mouth guards should be stored in a plastic container to avoid damage due to excessive heat or cold. They should be washed after each use, using cold or lukewarm water. Hot water may cause distortion. Prior to insertion, a mouth guard may be rinsed in mouthwash to freshen the taste. As a general rule, it is recommended that a standard mouthguard be replaced every 6 months or season. Research shows that mouthguards become less effective when they lose their thickness. There is less protective material to absorb external impact and protect your teeth from injury.
Whatever your age or sport, mouth guards are an important part of sports safety and your exercise routine. Do what you can to protect your smile and preserve your health. Ensure that you have a properly fitted mouthguard made by a professional.
WHITENING
Tooth whitening is a great way to brighten your smile. We offer custom take-home whitening treatments in strengths available only from dental professionals. This is especially useful for those who want to lighten the shade of their existing natural teeth and remove any stains or discolouration caused by ageing, coffee or tea. Often whitening treatment can be done prior to new partial denture treatment thus allowing for lighter denture tooth shade to be paired nicely with your natural teeth.