Virginia beach Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry Blog - Dr. Michael Folck

Monday, June 18, 2012

Headaches and Sleep Disorders


Several studies have shown that people with obstructive sleep apnea disorder are more likely than other people to wake up with a headache. In one study from 2009, 8.9 percent of patients without sleep apnea reported morning headaches, while 33.6 percent of the sleep apnea sufferers reported morning headaches.

Sleep apnea causes you to wake briefly and repeatedly throughout the night. Sleep apnea arises when your airway is partly blocked, causing your body to wake itself. The oxygen deprivation of sleep apnea may be the cause of the frequent headaches. 

Headaches caused by sleep disorders seem to be associated with getting too much or too little sleep. In order to get a better night's sleep, adopting the following lifestyle habits may help:

  • Get into bed at the same time every night
  • Awake and get out of bed at the same time every day
  • Establish an exercise routine
  • Do not consume caffeine before bed
  • Avoid excessive alcohol before bed
  • Avoid tobacco use

In addition to making these lifestyle changes, you may benefit from sleep apnea treatment. Oral devices can be worn while you sleep to prevent airway blockage. The devices keep your throat open, often by holding your jaw in a forward position.

To find out if sleep apnea treatment is right for you in Newport News, Virginia, or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced Virginia sleep apnea dentist Dr. Michael Folck to schedule a free initial consultation.

posted by Admin at 9:34 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 11, 2012

Exercising and Sleep Apnea


The hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle – sleep, nutrition and exercise – fall by the wayside in the busy lives of many Americans. For the millions of Americans suffering from sleep apnea, these staples of a healthy lifestyle may seem unattainable. 

Sleep apnea makes it impossible to get a good night's sleep, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness and an impaired ability to concentrate. Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Congestive heart failure

Sleep apnea is often linked to being overweight. For an overweight person, exercise can reduce sleep apnea by leading to weight loss. Exercising in the late afternoon, at least three hours before you go to bed, has been shown to greatly improve sleep quality. 

The excessive tiredness caused by sleep apnea makes it difficult to stick to an exercise regimen. The vicious cycle of sleep apnea is that the condition causes many people to lose motivation to exercise, and the lack of exercise contributes to weight gain and sleep apnea.

 In order to establish an exercise routine, you may benefit most from treating your sleep apnea first. Treatments include oral devices that you wear in your mouth while you sleep. The devices are designed to keep the airway unobstructed during sleep. An oral device may help you establish a healthy sleeping pattern, which may provide the rest necessary to start an exercise routine. 

If you suffer from sleep apnea and live in Norfolk, Virginia, or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced Virginia sleep apnea dentist Dr. Michael Folck to schedule a free initial consultation.

posted by Admin at 9:33 AM 1 comments

Monday, June 4, 2012

Dentures or Dental Implants


If you are missing multiple teeth, there are a few different tooth replacement options, including dentures and dental implants. Both of these options can be successful in replacing teeth, but each has advantages and disadvantages. 

Dentures are not what they were 50 years ago. A viable tooth replacement option, dentures have several benefits, including:

  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Effective tooth replacement for people who are not dental implant candidates
  • Replace all of your teeth or some of your teeth
Dentures have disadvantages as well. Dentures are prone to sliding around and are not entirely stable compared to dental implants. Other advantages of dental implants include:
  • Promote strong jawbone
  • Provide durable chewing and speaking surface
  • Permanent tooth replacement
A major disadvantage to dental implants is that not everyone is a candidate for the surgery. For these patients, dentures are often a good alternative.

After discussing your dental needs, Dr. Michael Folck, D.D.S., will determine the best way to replace your missing teeth. Your case is unique, and the best treatment for you will depend on your unique dental needs.

If you are interested in dental implants or dentures in Newport News, Virginia, or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced Virginia cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Folck to schedule a free initial consultation.

posted by Admin at 9:33 AM 0 comments

Call or email us today to learn more about Dr. Folck, our office, and what we can do for you. Your first consultation is no-obligation so you've got nothing to lose, and plenty to gain!