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How Our Office Could Help Ease Sleep Apnea Symptoms |
Posted on 12/21/2020 by Ankur Johri |
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans. It occurs as a result of either your throat muscles relaxing and blocking your airway, or your brain not sending the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Sleep apnea causes your breathing to slow down or even stop completely for periods of time while you are sleeping. When treatment methods such as oral appliances and CPAP machines are not effective, our team of professionals can perform surgery to ease your sleep apnea symptoms. What Symptoms Does Sleep Apnea Cause? Sleep apnea causes a variety of symptoms that disrupt not only your sleep, but your daily life as well. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, wake up with a dry mouth or throat, and experience poor sleep quality overall. If you have sleep apnea, you might also be excessively tired during the day and struggle with insomnia, nightmares, headaches, irritability, and more. Surgery for Sleep Apnea Oral appliances and CPAP devices are usually the first treatment option prescribed for sleep apnea patients. However, many people find these devices uncomfortable and would prefer another option. There are several different surgical procedures that can be used to treat sleep apnea. The most common procedure performed on sleep apnea patients is called a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP. During this procedure, excess tissue is removed from the palate and pharynx, and the tonsils are also removed if the patient still has them. After removing the tissue, we suture the area to keep it open and unobstructed. Other surgeries that are used to treat sleep apnea include nasal surgeries for patients who suffer from nasal congestion and obstruction; the Pillar Procedure, which involves placing rods in the palate; advancement of the hyoid, tongue, or lower jaw; tongue base reduction; and tracheostomy. If you have sleep apnea and want to explore your treatment options, call our office today.... Read more... |
Symptoms You Need to Know of Oral Cancer |
Posted on 12/7/2020 by Ankur Johri |
Oral cancer is known as cavity cancer. It affects different parts of the mouth and the back of the throat. Mostly, it develops on the gums, at the base of your tongue, under your tongue, and the back of the mouth. This type of cancer accounts for nearly 3% of all cancers diagnosed across the world. More often, it occurs in people aged 40 and above, with men being the most affected. Its primary cause is tobacco and alcohol consumption, sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV 16 type), and sun exposure. Age is also a factor that contributes to increasing cases of cavity cancer. Oral Cancer Symptoms Cavity cancer can be fatal if not diagnosed early enough and treated at the right time. That is why you need to be aware of its symptoms so you may take drastic measures in time. These signs may include a sore, lump, or a thick patch on your lips, mouth, and throat. The lumps may appear swollen and tender or even form rough crusts and spots that erode the affected areas. In some cases, you may see red or white patches in your mouth or experience a sore throat for one week or more. The development of velvety or speckled patches is also a symptom of cavity cancer that you should know. Apart from that, you should beware of unexplained bleeding and numbness in your mouth. You should also watch out for the loss of feeling in the mouth, pain, or tenderness in your face, and neck. All these are some of the most common symptoms of oral cancer that affect many people. Others may include hoarseness, ear pain, change in voice, and dramatic weight loss. So if you notice the above-mentioned symptoms, you can call or visit us today for more helpful tips.... Read more... |
What You Should Do If You Have a Single Missing Tooth |
Posted on 11/16/2020 by Ankur Johri |
If you have one tooth missing in your mouth, it can make a big difference in your periodontal health. You may not think that the lack of one tooth is any big deal, but it does make a difference. Read the following information to gain further insight on why this is true. Why Missing a Tooth Is a Big Deal If you have a gap in your smile, you need to fill the void to prevent problems with shifting and to maintain the proper bite alignment. Otherwise, you will have problems with eating or chewing, or may experience an issue with crowding. When crowding happens, it can make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, which only worsens the condition. Now that you know why a missing tooth is not good for your oral health and comfort, you need to have the problem corrected. So, how do you do this? Solutions for Correcting a Missing Tooth By speaking to us, you can find a solution to fill in the gap in your mouth and improve your bite and oral health. One of the ways this can be done is to add a fixed bridge. You can also have an implant and crown placed at the site. It just depends on the site and your current periodontal health. If you currently have gum disease, for example, we will need to treat that first before you can get an implant. Otherwise, it may be best to see about getting a tooth-supported fixed bridge. The main thing to keep in mind is to fill in the space. Remember – one single missing tooth can lead to several missing teeth. Therefore, it is important to treat any gum disease and fill in the gap as soon as possible. If you have a missing tooth or other periodontal concerns, give us a call. Set an appointment for a consultation and exam today.... Read more... |