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

Thursday, March 31, 2016

More Than a Snore: Sleep Apnea's Negative Health Effects

Sleep is a vital part of life. Our bodies use sleep to rest and repair from the day. If you are not getting a good night's rest then your body is fighting an uphill battle to repair itself. Many people are not getting the rest they need because sleep apnea is standing in there way.
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder where you temporarily stop breathing throughout the night. This can be caused by a blockage in the throat or because the brain is not sending the correct signal. It usually happens between 10 and 50 times per night.
While at first thought sleep apnea sounds like a nuisance that leads to a restless night, it has far further reaching consequences. Here are some of the dangers of sleep apnea:
·         Emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
·         Memory loss.
·         Weight gain.
·         Heart complications such as heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, and irregular heart beats.
·         Stroke.
·         Worsening ADHD.
·         Headaches.
·         Diabetes.
The traditional sleep apnea treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine, which keeps a continuous flow of air through your nose so that breathing is normalized. While the CPAP machine is still the most effective treatment, it is often unnecessary as these simple life changes can make a tremendous difference:
·         Quit smoking.
·         Limit alcohol, especially before bed.
·         Avoid certain medications.
·         Losing weight.
·         Wearing a specialized mouth guard.
The most common symptom associated with sleep apnea is loud snoring throughout the night. You may also have sleep apnea if you wake up feeling out of breath, like you are choking, or gasping for air. Also if you frequently stop breathing for long periods of time or have general restlessness you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

If you live in the Norfolk, VA area and think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, call Dr. Michael Folck's office at (877) 206-3444 to schedule a consultation.

posted by TammyS at 4:17 PM

Monday, March 28, 2016

Braces and Good Dental Hygiene

Taking care of your braces is a full-time job. With all the issues you'll have to be aware of while wearing braces, your normal dental hygiene routine won't be enough. The efficiency of your braces will be determined by how well you take care of them; the more often your braces have to be repaired or have parts replaced will lengthen the amount of time you'll have to wear them.

Making sure your braces are clean and free of food debris will also help limit any potential problems, such as gum disease, that may occur because of food that hasn't been sufficiently removed. 

Remember the following tips to maintain good dental hygiene with your braces:

·         Continue to brush for two minutes at least twice a day, but with braces you'll want to use a powerbrush or a toothbrush specially designed to be used with braces. A 45-degree brushing angle will help remove the food that gets stuck in the brackets of your braces. Use a fluoride toothpaste and remove your elastics before beginning.
·         When you floss (you already floss once a day, right?), use a superfloss that is made to be used with braces.
·         In addition to avoiding sugary drinks such as juices, sports drinks, and sodas, you'll now need to avoid chewy and sticky foods such as candies, peanut butter, gum, and popcorn. Be careful when chewing bread and bagels (break them into small bites) and hard fruits and vegetables (apples and carrots, for example).

Dr. Michael Folck has the experience to help guide you through wearing braces, from showing you the best way to brush or floss to repairing anything that needs his attention. Please don't hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns.


If your braces need a check-up or if you'd like to talk to Dr. Folck about what braces can do for you, call Dr. Folck’s Norfolk dental office at (877) 206-3444 to schedule an appointment today.

posted by TammyS at 4:12 PM

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!