Michael Piccione, DDS Blog

One of the unexpected upsides of shelter-in-place is how much easier it has become to coordinate family dinners. However, if you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, it can be hard to enjoy these times together. It’s often very difficult to determine the cause of sensitive teeth at home, which makes it even harder to figure out what you should do to treat the issue. Your emergency dentist in Sunnyvale is still available to help you if your pain is severe. But how do you know if your pain is serious enough to warrant an appointment? Try looking out for these signs that your sensitivity might require emergency dental care.  

Families across California and the entire country are learning more information every day about COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization, a dry cough is among the most common symptoms of COVID-19 along with the seasonal flu. If you find yourself seriously ill and experiencing symptoms such as a dry cough, you should contact your doctor right away. However, it is important to understand how serious illnesses and medicine can affect not only your bodily health, but the health of your teeth, gums and mouth as well. In today’s blog, an emergency dentist examines how common cough medicine can negatively impact one’s oral health.

Do you want straighter teeth, but aren’t thrilled about the idea of a mouth full of clunky metal braces?  Invisalign in Sunnyvale can give you the improved smile you want without the hassles, embarrassment, or restrictions of traditional braces. This system straightens your teeth comfortably and discreetly with a series of clear plastic aligners that are designed to blend into your busy lifestyle. Here are eight fun, little-known facts about this new orthodontic treatment.

Are you having a hard time keeping your eyes open at work during the day? You could be one of the estimated 22 million Americans that suffer from sleep apnea. Even though you go out of your way to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep, you still wake up feeling like you hardly slept at all. This disorder could be the reason you’re getting less-than-quality sleep and could be affecting your body in other ways. Read on to learn common symptoms of sleep apnea in Sunnyvale and how it could be negatively affecting your daily life.

Have you ever woken up the morning still exhausted with a headache and a dry throat? Do you snore so loudly that it bothers your bed partner? Do you wake up in the night choking or gasping? If so, you’re not alone. You might have sleep apnea, a condition that affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Read on as a dentist explains the different types of sleep apnea in Sunnyvale.

Strange things sometimes happen when we’re asleep. We may wake up to find that we’ve kicked off the bed covers, twisted ourselves into a strange position, or ended up on the floor. Some resting behaviors are more of a cause for concern than for chuckling, however. Drooling is one example. In some cases, it can be a sign that you’re suffering from sleep apnea in Sunnyvale. If you suspect this problem, then you should see a qualified sleep dentist or other healthcare professional right away.

Sleep apnea in Sunnyvale is a serious condition that many sufferers may not know they have. Left untreated, it can grow worse over time, contributing to health problems like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. The good news is that most cases of sleep apnea can be treated successfully. See a sleep dentist or other healthcare professional if you suspect you’re dealing with this common problem. The consequences of ignoring the issue are too great to risk.

Dying for a Good Night’s Rest

Most of us spend about one third of our lives asleep. It’s a mistake to think of those hours as wasted time. In reality, sleep is essential for health and well-being. It’s a time during which your body and brain recharge themselves, expel toxins from your system, and repair damage suffered throughout the previous day. A good night’s sleep tonight sets the stage for ongoing success tomorrow.

Unfortunately, some people are suffering from a condition that impairs the quality of their rest. It’s called sleep apnea. Here’s how it does its dirty work:

• When an apnea sufferer sleeps, the tissues in and around the throat close around each other, impairing regular breathing.
• This forces the patient to wake up, usually for only a fleeting moment. But this can happen hundreds of times during the night. Since the awakening occurs so quickly, the person usually has no memory of it.
• As a result, the person is unable to reach the stage of deep, refreshing sleep that’s so important for all of us to achieve. The sufferer stumbles through the next day, half awake and highly stressed.

For many apnea sufferers, this pattern reoccurs night after night, sometimes for years. Not only does this impact the person’s quality of life, it can also increase their risk of early mortality. When the body endures stress for too long, something has to give. It’s only a matter of time.

Help Is Available

Most health professionals in the US are trained to look for the typical warning signs of sleep apnea. This includes your dentist in Sunnyvale. Here’s what he or she can do to help you enjoy better rest:

• Perform a complete oral exam. Your dentist can check for telltale signs of apnea, such as loose or excess tissue in the throat or symptoms of teeth grinding.
• Provide a referral for a sleep study. This is the only reliable way to diagnose the problem. You will spend the night in a comfortable residential-type setting while skilled sleep technicians monitor your rest. Some locations also offer take-home kits you can use in your own residence.
• Design or authorize an anti-apnea mouthguard. These are a popular alternative to CPAP masks that many apnea patients prefer. Not only do they help keep the airway open, they also guard against bruxism, which can cause a wide array of oral health issues.

Sleep apnea is nothing to take lightly. See your dentist or other healthcare providers soon if you suspect you’re suffering from this problem. You’ll soon be on your way to deeper sleep and happier, more fulfilling days. We wish you lots of happy smiles for all of years to come.

About the Practice

The team at Dr. Michael Piccione, DDS is trained in a wide array of dental and oral health services, including sleep apnea treatment. They offer a friendly-friendly environment and take many forms of dental coverage. You can reach their office online or by calling (912) 445-2903.

Your greatest ally in your quest for excellent dental health is your family dentist in Sunnyvale. To experience the most benefits, though, it’s vital to maintain preventive care visits. While there, you should also take advantage of the educational opportunity. Here are 5 questions you should definitely ask your dentist.

Stress has probably affected your habits. Like when you couldn’t stop biting your nails before the most important interview of your life. Or because you survived working in retail for way too long and couldn’t help but grit your teeth anytime someone demanded to speak to a manager. Maybe every morning, coffee mug between armpit and laptop bag strap between teeth, you fish around your pockets for your car keys. The thing about bad habits is that you never notice them until someone points them out. Imagine your family dentist in Sunnyvale as that brutally-honest friend that just wants the best for your oral health. Here are a few everyday things that could be harming your teeth.