For many people, a bright, white smile is a great confidence booster. For many of our patients, simply maintaining proper oral hygiene and regular visits to our office for cleanings are enough to keep their smile healthy. Those looking to help improve the aesthetics of their smile with whiter teeth should consider the professional teeth whitening procedures we offer at our practice.

While teeth whitening is safe for most people, there are factors worth considering before beginning professional whitening treatment:

- The degree of tooth staining can affect how successful the whitening treatment will be. Dark stains may not bleach as well as lighter, yellow stains.

- Individuals with tooth-colored fillings, crowns, veneers, bonding and bridges should keep in mind that these materials do not whiten. Using a whitening product on teeth that contain these types of restorations can result in uneven whitening. At Arch Dental Associates, we can share with you additional information about the professional tooth whitening procedures that can help you achieve your desired results.

Fear of needles or a bad experience in the dental chair can keep many people away from the dentist until an aching tooth brings them back. Dental Anxiety is common: 25 million Americans avoid the dentist because they are anxious or afraid. But…Imagine going to your dental visits without any apprehension or fear, being able to receive all your dental care in just one appointment, and achieving that beautiful smile you long for with virtually no pain!

For those who truly dread going to the dentist because of anxiety, dental phobias, severe gag reflexes, or sensitive teeth, sedation dentistry is the answer.

Sedation dentistry allows the patient to drift through even the most complex dental work in a semi-conscious state. You will feel completely relaxed throughout your visit, without any discomfort or pain, turning a stressful or lengthy visit into a pleasant and comfortable one. Some of those who enjoy sedation dentistry are simply busy people who use it because they don’t have the time to schedule multiple appointments, preferring to get all their work done in one visit. It is also a great solution for those who have had trouble getting numb in the past.

Sedation Dentistry is a term that refers to the use of anesthesia during treatment to put patients into a relaxed state, like sleep. While sedation implies that patients are unconscious, this is usually not the case. There are many forms of sedation, from simply alleviating anxiety, to “conscious sedation”, which places you in a “twilight sleep”. Conscious sedation is a safe, precise, and highly effective technique for management of moderate to more severe levels of dental fear. This method may also be used for patients who are not physically or behaviorally able to cooperate with dentistry.

Our caring Doctors will discuss with you any concerns or fears you may have, and the sedation dentistry technique recommended will depend upon the treatment being performed and the degree of your anxiety. They will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for moderate sedation with oral sedatives, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), or deeper sedation with intravenous drugs. Our Doctors have received advanced certification and training in I.V. Sedation, and with their combined 60 years of experience, you will be in the best of hands. Whatever your dental needs or desires may be, don’t let anxiety keep you from having that brilliant healthy smile you so deserve.

Just as it does in men, obstructive sleep apnea can raise the risk for women of suffering from heart attacks and having other cardiovascular problems, a new Spanish study indicates.

Sleep apnea -- characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep -- affects many more men than women, up to 3 percent of middle-aged women have the disorder. One common symptom is snoring, tossing and turning, and awake not feeling rested. Most patients have daytime sleepiness because of the sleep disorder. Woman may have far subtler symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue, which lead to frequent misdiagnoses. Little research has focused on women until now. The study results show that sleep apnea is a significant disease in women as well as men. If the condition is suspected, evaluation is crucial and treatment is necessary if it is diagnosed. The new study will probably change awareness among doctors and patients, as apnea is often thought to be a man's problem.

"Women with untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea have a three-and-a-half-fold increase in the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to women without (it)," said researcher Dr. Francisco Campos-Rodriguez, director of the sleep-disordered breathing unit at Valme University Hospital in Seville. The study is published in the Jan. 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers followed 1,116 middle-aged women, all sent to sleep medicine clinics in Spain for suspected apnea. The researchers determined whether they had the condition, measured the severity of the apnea, and divided them into mild-to-moderate or severe groups. Some in each group received CPAP treatment and some did not. Those found not to have sleep apnea served as the comparison or control group. They followed the women for up to 88 months (more than seven years). At the end, 41 patients, about 4 percent, had died of cardiovascular problems and 3 percent of other causes.

Deaths from cardiovascular problems were more frequent in women who had apnea that was not treated, especially when it was severe. "We have provided the first evidence in the (medical) literature that severe OSA is associated with cardiovascular mortality in women, and that treatment is associated with a decrease in mortality risk," Campos-Rodriguez said. CPAP treatment delivers a pre-set level of pressurized air through a mask that the patient wears during sleep but compliance with CPAP is poor especially with women. Alternative treatment options such an oral appliance offer comparable relief from symptoms related to sleep apnea and is the preferred option recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for the treatment of Mild to Moderate sleep apnea. Patients find the mask uncomfortable at first, some get used to it quickly but most don't and for those patients an oral appliance can provide adequate relief from the tiredness that plagues most patients. In the United States, coverage of CPAP by insurance plans is typical but more and more insurance companies are covering the oral appliance in part due to it's cost savings in medical care resulting from untreated sleep apnea.

While the CPAP can provide successful treatment, the biggest hurdle is using it. Many patients feel claustrophobic, others find wearing the mask offensive, and not easy to get up and out of bed with it on. Dr. Singh says that “ for patients who have mild to moderate sleep apnea, cannot tolerate the CPAP, refuse surgery, or have found those to be unsuccessful, an oral appliance custom-made to the patient’s bite is the correct alternative solution. The dental appliance is worn at night. It is light and comfortable to wear, and will help prevent the airway from collapsing and snoring so that the patient gets a restful sleep. I’ve seen my patients’ quality of life improve significantly” says Dr. Pankaj Singh.

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, our team stands ready to help. Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions.

Q: What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in milk or saliva. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap, use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact any one of our offices immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit us.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of the closest hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: How can I best prevent a dental injury from happening to my child in the first place?

A: Oral injuries can occur from many activities.

Many oral injuries occur during physical activity such as sports. You can greatly reduce the chance of oral injury by having your child wear a mouth guard. While there are many store-bought varieties available, a custom mouth guards can often provide better protection. Our offices provide custom-mouth guards and is an Under Armour provider.

• Always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone in the car.
• Child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects.
• Help prevent your child from dental-health related toothaches with regular visits to our practice.
If you have any other questions about dental health and emergencies for your child, please contact us.