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Newsletter - issue 7 items (2001)
Agitated
by Snoring?
What causes snoring? Muscles and soft tissue in the throat
and mouth relax during sleep and can cause obstruction of the airways to various
degrees. When this happens the body’s reflexes attempt to maintain air volume
and it is this increased velocity of the air in the constricted space which
causes the snoring. Sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for 10 seconds
or more), can occur if the airway is fully obstructed. Effects of sleep apnea
include daytime tiredness, increased risk of strokes, high blood pressure and
heart related problems. Snoring may be an indicator of sleep apnea.
Several treatments are available for snoring problems. ‘SILENTNITE’ is a custom made snoring prevention device. It can achieve a 90% reduction in snoring and a 50% reduction in sleep apnea. It is like a soft cover that fits snuggly over the upper and lower teeth .
The covers are connected by a hinge which brings the lower jaw gently forward
by a predetermined amount, increasing the airway space. It is compact, comfortable
and allows jaw movement during sleep. For trendy snorers this device comes in
a variety of colours! Unfortunately this device is unsuitable for people who
wear full dentures, and people with sleep apnea should consult a doctor before
a device is made.. If snoring is a problem please don’t hesitate to speak to
us. We also have some fact sheets, with further reading available.
Put a Twinkle
in your smile
If you would like to enhance your smile, twinkles may be the answer.
Twinkles are tooth jewellery. They are made of 24k gold with or without a diamond
or a ruby and they come in various shapes including stars, hearts, teardrops
and circles. No drilling is required so there is no harm to the tooth. They
are easy to remove or change. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes and is inexpensive,
so if you would like a twinkle in your smile please speak to us.
Why
are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth erupt at the back of the mouth usually in late
teenage years. The mouth is often too small to accommodate them. Wisdom teeth
thus frequently cause overcrowding. This may result in orthodontic problems,
(the way teeth fit together), or damage to/ pressure on neighbouring teeth.
The teeth can become impacted ie growing at an awkward angle and unable to erupt
properly. They can be a constant cause of infection eg when the gum repeatedly
grows back over the partially erupted tooth, trapping food under it. Cysts and
tumours may also result.
When wisdom teeth cause problems they are usually removed. It is also often better to have them extracted if there is a high probability of future problems as. the younger the patient the lower the incidence of complications. The surgical removal of wisdom teeth may result in more discomfort than normally experienced by routine extractions. Prior to extraction a careful assessment with radiographs is made.
In most cases I am happy to carry out the extraction myself . I have participated
in several courses specifically for this, in Birmingham, England.and will try
to make wisdom tooth removal free from anxiety and discomfort. Some insurance
companies now allow dentists to carry out surgical wisdom tooth removal, so
patients can benefit from the procedure being carried out in the comfort of
familiar surroundings. Please approach us if you would like to know anything
further.
Tooth Decay
& G M Plants
After many years of research, a vaccine against the bacteria, Streptococcus
mutans, which is the main cause of dental caries, is currently undergoing clinical
trials and could possibly be available commercially in five or six years. The
vaccine is applied directly to the teeth, ie no injections, and is thought to
be effective for up to one year. Interestingly the vaccine is produced using
green plants which have been genetically modified.
Dental caries in the western world has been declining in recent years, probably due to the use of flouride. However, still about 50% of five year olds have cavities and only about 5% of adults are cavity free. Sadly, in some areas there is starting to be an increase in the number of caries again. In some groups of the population, for instance many third world populations, people with salivary disorders or people who are handicapped, dental cavities will always be a problem. A vaccine helping to prevent these cavities would therefore be a very useful aid in the fight against tooth decay.