Sleep Apnea and snoring are not the same condition. Snoring is merely the sound of soft tissues in the mouth and throat vibrating as a person breathes, but snoring can also be a simple sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea involves complete airway blockage for periods of 10 seconds or longer repeatedly during a sleep session. Sleep apnea increases a person’s risk for stroke, heart attack, daytime fatigue, irritability, and other issues. There are two solutions to this problem. Esthetic Dental Group of Westport diagnoses and provides reliable sleep apnea and snoring treatment in Fairfield County. A patient that snores should always undergo a sleep study to determine whether or not they do have a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Treatment for sleep apnea will depend on the severity and level of the diagnosis.
We recommend dental checkups at least two times per year for patients with good oral health. This suggestion correlates to the recommendation from the American Dental Association. Your checkup gives us an opportunity to update your dental records and assess your oral health with a thorough examination. Early treatments are always in your best interest.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions, including chewing and biting. If the chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain, you may have temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
TMD can be caused by stress, continual clenching of the jaw muscles, or teeth grinding, this can lead to enamel wearing off the teeth and eventually expose the dentin, a softer material more susceptible to decay, sensitivity, and further wear than enamel.
Dental sealants are the most effective way to prevent tooth decay. The next most effective treatment is fluoride. Dental sealants are recommended by Dr. Steven Regenstein because they are superior in protecting teeth against decay-causing bacteria. The procedure is simple and pain- free. Fluoride is a natural substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride treatment includes applying fluoride to your teeth in gel, foam or varnish form. For most patients, the fluoride is left on for several minutes.
Mouth guard – also called night guard or bite guards is a protective device that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and/or reduce injury. Dental professionals recommend guards as a solution to many problems in addition to their preventive use for athletes. A mouth or bite guard may be recommended for any of the following reasons: