Tired All the Time? Answer These Questions to Assess Your Sleep Apnea Risk

Snoring is a problem for 25% of American adults, and almost half of all adults snore occasionally.  Snoring is much more than an annoying habit.  It can be a symptom of a more serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition which prevents normal breathing during relaxation.  When the throat muscles relax during sleep, they collapse upon each other, obstructing the airway and causing loud snoring and/or periods of apnea (not breathing). OSA can cause a variety of problems with both overall health as well as lifestyle.

25% of American Adults 

Suffer With Habitual

Snoring.

OSA and Chronic Health Conditions

Patients suffering with OSA can experience problems ranging from high blood pressure to clinical depression.  Extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day, along with forgetfulness, mood changes and even loss of libido affect quality of life.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Help

The good news is, there is help available.  Traditional treatment for OSA often includes the use of a C-PAP machine over night. Many patients find the C-PAP cumbersome and uncomfortable, reducing compliance.  Dental treatment for snoring and sleep apnea has been shown to reduce symptoms significantly. A custom made dental appliance which maintains an open airway, reducing snoring and preventing obstruction of the airway during sleep, can reduce or eliminate the serious problems associated with sleep apnea.

Snoring/Sleep Apnea Self Assesment

Answer the following questions to asses whether snoring or sleep apnea could be affecting your ability to achieve a good night's sleep. 

1. Do you often wake up in the morning with a very dry or sore throat?
2. Do you suffer from forgetfulness, mood-changes or decreased libido?
3. Do you snore, or have you been told that you snore?
4. Do you experience sleepiness or decreased energy during the day?
5. Do you frequently wake up in the morning with a headache?
6. Do you awaken during the night with a sensation of gasping or choking?
7. Do you experience restless sleep?
8. Do you experience extreme sleepiness while driving?

 If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, then you could be suffering with OSA.  The best way to find out for sure is to have a personal examination and consultation with a sleep apnea treatment provider, such as Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.

Your examination and consultation will reveal if snoring or sleep apnea is likely a problem for you.  A professional sleep-study will be used to gain a proper diagnosis.  Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea is easy to use and easy to comply with using a dental sleep apnea oral device.  For more information about OSA and treatment for snoring and sleep apnea, contact Dr. Burroughs at Forest Lane Dental. 

New Rules Prevent Doctors From 'Calling In' Prescriptions for Pain Medications

New Prescription Rules Go Into Effect Soon

Have you ever called your dentist late on a Saturday with a dental emergency?  Emergencies happen, and often, they do not happen during normal office hours.  Tighter regulation of prescribing certain medications can make painful dental emergencies a little harder to cope with. 

Beginning October 1, 2014, DEA and DPS regulations will change the drug classification of common pain medications, requiring all prescriptions to be written on official forms.  This means that all patients receiving prescription pain control must come to the office to receive the prescription. 

No More 'Calling In' Prescription Pain Medications

The new, tighter regulations are a good thing for preventing the abuse of prescription medications like hydrocodone and codeine.  Making these substances harder to get will hopefully help control the amount of prescription medications making their way onto the street.  For dental patients, this means, in the event of a late night toothache, your dentist will no longer be able to 'call in' a prescription for pain medications to ease your discomfort until you can make it into the office for treatment.

The Best Way to Prevent the Need for Prescription Pain Medicine

These new regulations can have a silver lining for patients who typically wait for a dental problem to become painful- it may prompt patients to seek help for their dental problems before they become severe and painful.  Regular dental check-ups are for more than just cleaning teeth.  Your dental exam is intended to track your dental health and take note of changes such as tooth decay, gum disease and the stability of previous dental restorations.  When you avoid check-ups and wait for dental problems to become symptomatic, dental emergencies happen.  Most dental problems do not cause pain until they have become severe and advanced.  Detecting and repairing minor, painless dental problems before they become symptomatic will not only prevent pain, but will cost far less to repair.  Keeping your teeth in good repair will prevent most weekend dental emergencies.

Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups Can Prevent Dental Emergencies

One hour, twice a year is the investment you make in your dental health.  In addition to good personal dental hygiene, keeping your dental check-up and cleaning appointments every 6 months will help prevent dental disease as well as detect problems like cavities before they become painful and symptomatic.  Your teeth are not supposed to hurt, keep them healthy with professional dental care.
Schedule a dental check-up.

Save Money on Dental Care

The cost of dental care can be hard for a family, but that should not prevent you from getting the dental services you need to maintain a healthy smile for life.  Forest Lane Dental, the office of Dr. Jack E. Burroughs offers these tips for saving money on dental care.

1.  Take advantage of special promotions.  Forest Lane Dental offers new patients a special discount when they establish themselves as a patient of the practice.  An exam and necessary x-rays is $59, making a check up affordable for families without dental insurance.  Other special promotions are available as well, from dental crowns for just $599 to cosmetic teeth whitening products at a special rate as well.  To see all the money saving promotions available right now, click here.

2. Do not skip dental cleanings and check-ups.  A professional dental cleaning is one of the most affordable dental treatments available, and one of the most important.  Removing hardened plaque (tartar) and cleaning hard to reach surfaces of your teeth helps prevent serious dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease.  Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove tartar build up, so having your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year achieves this important step.  In addition, regular dental check-ups help detect problems while they are still small, making dental restorations simpler and less expensive.

3.  Maximize your dental insurance contributions.  Dental insurance is designed to reward prevention of dental problems.  Most dental plans cover the cost of regular dental maintenance in full.  Take advantage of this fact! Stay on schedule with check ups and cleanings for free with most PPO dental plans.  If you do need repairs, take care of them as soon as they are diagnosed to save on the cost of treatment.

4. Get A Pre-Estimate. When more complex dental restoration is necessary, such as with dental crowns, bridges or even root canal treatment, ask your dentist to request an insurance "pre-estimate" from your dental plan.  This will give you a pretty accurate picture of the cost of treatment as well as exactly what will be paid by your plan on your behalf.

5.  Utilize Interest Free Financing.  Your Dallas dental office accepts payment through Care Credit.  This finance option makes it possible to break more extensive dental treatment fees down into smaller bites with a monthly payment plan, often with no interest when paid within 6 months. 

Is it time for your check-up?  Contact Dr. Burroughs and Forest Lane Dental today to get on track to healthier teeth and gums.

Back to School Dental Savings at Forest Lane Dental

Start your school year off right with a healthy dental check-up.  American kids miss over 5 Million hours of school each year due to dental problems and dental appointments.  Preventive dental care is one way you can make sure your kids teeth stay healthy and cavity-free.

Save on Dental Check-Ups in Dallas

For a limited time, Forest Lane Dental of Dallas is offering patients dental exams and x-rays at an affordable cost.  Uninsured dental patients can save with $59 exams and x-rays if you schedule during the promotion.  Regular dental exams help detect developing dental problems, making it possible to repair and correct them before they become extensive and expensive. 
Schedule your dental exam with Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.

Need a Crown? Affordable Dental Crowns are Here

The cost of dental care inhibits proper treatment for many families, especially in cases where there is no dental insurance.  Forest Lane Dental offers affordable treatment fees as well as simple monthly payments using Care Credit. 

Dental crowns can save a tooth when a filling cannot.  For a limited time, Forest Lane Dental patients can get that dental crown they have been putting off for just $599*.  This is a special offer is valid for private payment patients and is not valid with other discounts or insurance coverage.  If you have been told you need a dental crown, now is the time to act.

Take Back Your Dental Health Today!

Now is the time to take back your dental health.  It has never been easier or more affordable to get started on the path to good dental health.  Contact Dr. Jack E. Burroughs at Forest Lane Dental to get started.

*Regular fee for a dental crown (porcelain-fused-to-metal) is $1133.  Promo fee of $599 includes basic tooth preparation, temporary and permanent crown.  Additional services such as build-up or root canal treatment are at additional fee if needed.  This is a discounted fee for service offer and not valid with other discounts, promotions or insurance coverage. 

It’s Back to School Dental Check-Up Time!

Every school year, American kids miss over 51,000,000 hours of school because of dental problems and toothaches.  You read that correctly, 51 Million!  Although it is the most common childhood disease, tooth decay, is also one of the most preventable.  Taking simple steps to help ensure that your kids go back to school with healthy teeth and gums will save you time, money and lost school hours this year.

 

Schedule a Dental Check-Up and Professional Cleaning Every 6 Months

We often hear people say that they aren’t having any dental pain, and they can’t see any problems so they do not need to go to the dentist.  This is especially true among school age children.  In fact, kids should start seeing the dentist along with the appearance of the very first baby teeth.  Turning them on to regular dental care from an early age helps prevent anxiety and dental fear.  Just as important, regular dental check-ups and teeth cleaning help keep teeth and gums healthy.  If a problem does begin to develop, you can be sure your dentist will identify it early, before it becomes an expensive and painful dental problem.  Staying on track with dental check-ups every 6 months is a proven way to avoid serious dental problems. 

Sealants for Permanent Teeth

When it comes to children’s personal dental hygiene, a very reliable rule of thumb is this- a child does not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively on their own until they can successfully tie their shoes.  Because kids’ dental habits are not always consistent or predictable, dental sealants can help seal out destructive plaque and bacteria on the chewing surface of the back teeth.  A dental sealant is a simple, painless and extremely affordable treatment that can help prevent tooth decay.  Seal permanent teeth as they come in.  Dental sealants usually last long enough for kids to become more effective at dental hygiene every day. 

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride helps teeth stay healthy and strong.  Fluoride treatment can inhibit tooth decay and help keep enamel strong and durable.  Your dentist can recommend a professional treatment that will help prevent cavities.  Fluoride treatments can be applied in the dental office or given as a prescription gel to use at home.  Proper use of fluoride treatments has been proven to help prevent cavities. 

Schedule a Back to School Dental Check-Up

There is more to a kid’s dental check-up than just a polish and a quick check!  Your child’s dental appointment is a learning opportunity.  Your hygienist is responsible for educating kids about the best personal dental hygiene habits and providing instruction for good home care.  She can talk to your kids about how to keep their teeth healthy and clean.  Using fun visual aids, demonstrations and instructions they can understand, your hygienist knows how to talk to kids about their teeth.  To schedule your family’s Back to School Dental Check-Up, contact Forest Lane Dental today.

Bad Breath? 10 Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh

Bad breath is embarrassing.  There are many causes for bad breath, clinically known as halitosis.  Here is what you need to know about combating bad breath daily.

1.  Bad breath can be caused by medications and dry mouth.  If you take medications that cause dry mouth, try an over the counter saliva substitute such as Biotene® or sip on water throughout the day.  You can stimulate saliva production with sugarless mints as well.

2.  The gum disease periodontitis causes bad breath.  Unhealthy gums that bleed easily, receding gums and loose teeth are the product of the gum infection periodontitis.  The bacteria and infection causes severe odor that cannot be brushed, flossed or cleaned away with mouthwash.  If you have bad breath caused by gum disease, see your dentist right away to begin treatment and get the infection under control.

3.  Certain foods can cause bad breath.  Onions and garlic for lunch?  Even if you brush and floss the odor from pungent foods can escape through your mouth even hours after eating.  If you suffer with acid reflux disease, you may find that symptoms are often accompanied by bad breath. Keeping acid reflux under control through diet and medication can help.

4.  Even healthy mouths have an odor sometimes.  Make sure you brush twice a day and floss once.  Bacteria that remain on the surface of teeth and gums turn into plaque.  When not removed regularly, plaque buildup can cause bad breath.

5.  Clean your tongue.  Brush your tongue, or use a tongue scraper daily to remove filmy residue from oral bacteria.

6.  Watch your diet.  A diet high in sugars and carbohydrates causes excess plaque and bacteria to form in your mouth.  In addition to causing bad breath, plaque and bacteria are the causes of tooth decay and gum disease. 

7.  Use an alcohol-free antibacterial mouth wash daily.  Mouth wash can help destroy odor causing bacteria that remain after brushing and flossing.

8.  Wear a denture or partial?  Keep it clean!  Remove it daily for brushing and cleaning, and use an antibacterial soak to keep it bacteria free. 

9.  Change your toothbrush regularly.  Bacteria from your mouth can hide out on your toothbrush, reintroducing bacteria when you brush your teeth.  Changing your toothbrush every 8 weeks or so will help prevent bacteria from taking up residence on the bristles.  Keep your toothbrush in a clean, dry place. 

10.  See your dentist regularly.  A professional dental cleaning removes plaque buildup (calculus) that cannot be removed with brushing alone.  A regular exam detects problems like tooth decay and gum disease before they become advanced.  Your dentist can also provide advice and products to help eliminate bad breath. 

For more information about combating bad breath, contactForest Lane Dental, the Dallas dental practice of Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.