3 Role’s A Dentist Can Play In Sleep Apnea

While it is relatively new to have your dentist involved in your sleep problems, Dr. Judy Strutz and her team have been spending extra time studying how to help you with this process. Sleep apnea is a process where your body quits breathing multiple times throughout the night, due a problem with your tongue cutting off your airway. While there are other treatments available, dental devices and support from Dr. Strutz & her team can make this process less painful and more helpful to your overall health.

Sleep is critical for the body to recharge itself. Without proper sleep you may end up feeling tired, or restless, which can lead to problems at work. Step 1 is diagnosis. Before any treatment can begin, you first need to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. This can occur through a sleep study and/or by answering a few questions during your initial examination about sleep patterns, whether you snore, and how you feel when you wake up in the morning.

Dr. Strutz can evaluate what type of device is best going to work for your sleep apnea. In order to decrease the problems that occur with sleep apnea, the key is to keep your jaw and tongue in a certain position. Dental devices can keep your tongue from falling in the back of the throat and cutting off your airway.

Once you have been evaluated, and the type of device you need as been determined, Dr. Judy Strutz and her team can design a custom appliance. By having it done in the office it ensures you have an amazing fit that will get you on your way to a restful night’s sleep.

For more information on sleep apnea contact Dr. Strutz & her team today.

It’s Never To Late To Get The Smile You Love

You may hear the word cosmetic dentistry or cosmetics and immediately think it is a waste of time. You may even think to yourself that your dentist is just trying to take more of your money. Cosmetic dentistry is about more than just a pretty smile. Broken and cracked teeth can impact your body, your job and your self-confidence.

Individuals only have seven short seconds to make a first impression. If your smile is riddled with broken or cracked teeth, you may find yourself passed over time and time again for that promotion you are qualified for. “Individuals who struggle to move up in their job not only suffer from higher levels of depression, they may also be impacted by money problems that can lead to relationship problems,” says Dr.Judith Strutz.

Nutrition is critical to the overall success and health of your body. Everything you eat can benefit your body. Individuals who are impacted by broken teeth may change which foods they eat due to the pain it causes at meals.  You may experience a drop in your overall energy, and general health, as well as chronic jaw pain if the issue is not taken care of.

Some cosmetic procedures are completed to whiten and brighten your smile, which helps with the overall look, while veneers and other similar procedures are created to fix your smile using a more permanent solution.

                                   Contact Dr. Strutz & her team today for a comprehensive exam.

5 Negative Repercussions To Lack Of Sleep Due To Sleep Apnea

 Sleep is a critical part of living a healthy life. Chronic sleep disorders and lack of sleep cause a variety of health problems not to mention interpersonal struggles. When it’s a challenge to stay awake at work, you may find yourself becoming moody and ill-tempered.  Sleep difficulties can cause you to feel continually tired even when you may have gone to bed with the intention of getting eight hours of sleep.  Many times sleep issues are related to sleep apnea. Waking all throughout the night to catch a breath of air impacts your body and prevents you from ever enjoying the deep restful sleep you need. Here’s what you need to know:

1.     Sleep drowsiness can increase your risk on the road. While driving down the interstate tired may not seem like a big problem, it can cause a decrease in reaction time similar to that of a drunk driver.

2.     Sleep deprivation can decrease your overall problem solving and thinking abilities. Having a restful night’s sleep allows you to be alert and on your toes when faced with challenges at home and at work. “While being tired,” says Dr. Judith Strutz, “causes thinking and reasoning to be a difficult task.”

3.     Heart disease, heart attack, and high blood pressure are a potential problem for individuals who suffer from chronic sleep deprivation.

4.     Depression has been linked to individuals who sleep less than six hours a night. A lack of sleep, can increase moodiness and an inability to function well during the day – both of these factors may contribute to depression.

5.     Excess cortisol levels cause problems for the skin. Your body when it does not get enough sleep increases the release of cortisol. This stress-inducing hormone can cause loose skin and dark circles beneath your eyes.

If you are one of the many Americans unable to get a good night’s sleep, you do not have to continue to suffer; Dr. Judith Strutz and her team can help.

Four Foods That Benefit My Teeth

There are foods that can help increase the health of your teeth. Different types of foods allow your body and teeth to reap a variety of nutritional value. Some foods are a benefit because they increase the amount of saliva productions, while other foods are natural whiteners. 
1. Cheese is fantastic for improving your smile by increasing the amount of saliva you produce. As your saliva production increases it allows food debris to be removed from the surface of your teeth when you are eating. 

2. "Nuts are not only a great source of protein, but they may help protect and improve the overall look of your smile," says Dr. Strutz. Nuts are equally important because they are high in vitamins that are essential for increasing the strength of your teeth - vitamins including Vitamin D - and they also contain fiber. 

3. Milk is full of calcium. Calcium improves the enamel on your teeth and strengthens your teeth overall. 

4. Meat is thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). - Web MD. 

Dr. Judy Strutz states, "while some of the foods you eat increase the opportunity for damage to your teeth, it is beneficial to consume the foods above on a daily basis to keep your smile in fantastic health." 

3 Tips To Fantastic Dentures

Dentures have come a long way from when your great-grandmother had them. No longer do you need to have poorly fitting dentures that come out at the most inconvenient times. “If you are looking for a fantastic set of dentures, make sure you follow these three easy tips to ensure you receive a brilliant smile,” says Dr.Judy Strutz.  

     1.   Be prepared to spend the time to get an outstanding result. Many dentists will provide dentures after only a couple of visits to their office. As dentures do best when they are custom made, be ready to visit your dentist several times before you even see a mock-up of your final denture. Time is of the essence, but you do not want to rush this.

2. While everyone wants a luminous smile, if your smile looks too radiant with dentures, it might appear that you are wearing exactly that - dentures. Dr. Strutz suggests, “Consider a tooth shade that brightens, but yet provides a natural look.” Shining as bright as a diamond has a time and a place. The color of your denture is not one of them. 

3. How your teeth fit together is critical for the success of your dentures. Make sure you are seeing someone who understands occlusion or bite issues and can make your dentures fit and stay when you are eating and speaking. There is nothing more embarrassing then losing your teeth when you are in the middle of something important. 

While dentures have come a long way over the years, the tips above will help you to keep looking young and healthy even after you have lost your own teeth.