What Are the Consequences of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous type of sleep disorder. It’s characterized by the frequent and cyclical cessation of breathing during sleep. Typically, the patient doesn’t realize that he or she has stopped breathing, as it only lasts a few seconds before the brain causes the person to wake up in order to restart breathing. Although the patient’s breathing is only stopped briefly, this pattern of low oxygen can prove deadly in the long run. Fortunately, many sleep apnea patients can find the help they need from their dentist. 

Consequences of Daytime Drowsiness 

Even if the patient isn’t aware that he or she is waking up dozens of times each night, the patient will still suffer from daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea prevents people from entering the stage of deep, restorative sleep. As a result, they’re likely to have trouble concentrating and staying awake during the day. Productivity at work or school can suffer. Even worse, sleep apnea patients are at an increased risk of getting into car accidents or being involved in accidents at work. 

Risks of Cardiovascular Disease 

Patients with poorly controlled sleep apnea are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. This includes high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart disease, and heart attack. Stroke is another common type of cardiovascular event that has been linked to uncontrolled sleep apnea. These potentially deadly complications are alarming, but the good news is that patients can manage their risk by getting their sleep apnea symptoms under control. 

Potential for Metabolic Problems 

Research shows that people with obesity are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. And of course, people with obesity are also more likely to develop metabolic problems like diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, this doesn’t entirely explain why people with sleep apnea are more likely to be diagnosed with these issues. Researchers have discovered that even sleep apnea patients in a normal weight range are at an increased risk of metabolic problems. 

The dentists at Park 56 Dental offer effective solutions for sleep apnea patients, including custom-made oral appliances that support the airway during sleep. If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, get in touch with our dental clinic in NYC by calling (646) 783-3529. We also offer complete smile restoration services! 

What to Expect with Oral Dental Sedation

If your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry, one of your options may be oral conscious sedation. The dentist will give you a prescription for an oral medication ahead of your appointment. You’ll need to fill the prescription and take it as directed. Typically, patients are asked to take the pill about an hour before their dental office visit. 

Because the pill needs to be taken ahead of your appointment, a responsible adult will need to drive you there and bring you home afterward. As the medication begins to take effect, you’ll feel very relaxed. The pill won’t put you to sleep, but you may feel sleepy. During your appointment, time will seem to pass more quickly and you might not remember much of the treatment. 

Park 56 Dental is pleased to offer safe and effective sedation dentistry services in NYC, including oral sedation. Give us a call at (646) 783-3529 and one of our dentists can determine if sedation could be right for you. 

How Oral Health Affects Diabetes Management

Did you know that your dentist can help you manage your diabetes? By visiting your dentist at least every six months for a checkup, you’re reducing your risk of developing gum disease. That’s critically important for diabetics since this disease can make you three times more likely to develop gum disease. 

You can hear more about the diabetes-gum disease connection when you watch the accompanying video. It explains that gum disease can lead to higher blood sugar, which can increase the likelihood of diabetic complications. The good news is that taking good care of your oral health can help you manage diabetes more effectively. 

Looking for a warm and friendly dental clinic in NYC that offers complete oral health services? Look no further than Park 56 Dental! Call (646) 783-3529 for an appointment.

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry? Here Are the Facts You Need to Know

There are different types of services your dentist may provide. General dentistry refers to any care that is primarily intended to improve or maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry is primarily intended to improve the appearance of your smile. These two approaches go hand-in-hand, since having a smile that’s both healthy and beautiful is important for one’s self-confidence. 

Cosmetic dentistry can help support your oral health.  

Although cosmetic dentistry emphasizes the aesthetics of your smile, some of these treatments can also improve your oral health. Take the example of Invisalign aligners. These enable patients to straighten their crooked teeth without having to resort to aesthetically displeasing metal braces. A crooked smile isn’t only a cosmetic concern, however. Crooked teeth can also be more difficult to keep clean, even if you diligently brush twice daily and floss once daily. By straightening your teeth with Invisalign, it’ll be easier for you to get rid of food particles and plaque. Another example is dental implants. Tooth implants replace missing teeth, which is definitely cosmetically preferable to an incomplete smile. However, they can also help you maintain the health of your jawbone by preventing the loss of bone density. 

Cosmetic dentistry treatment plans are individually tailored. 

No two patients are alike. When you visit a dentist to talk about cosmetic options, he or she will take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and goals. Then, the dentist will develop an individual treatment plan based on your preferences. Your treatment plan may include any of the following: 

• Teeth whitening 
• Invisalign 
• Veneers 
• Dental implants 
• Bonding 

Some cosmetic dentistry treatments provide rapid results. 

Patients often want rapid results from cosmetic dentistry treatments. Some of them do take a while to produce results, such as Invisalign, while others take effect right away. If you have an important event coming up, for example, you might ask your dentist about teeth whitening. Your teeth will be several shades lighter by the time you leave the office! 

You’ll find a complete suite of general and cosmetic dentistry services at Park 56 Dental. Our dental office in NYC is known for providing friendly patient care within a welcoming setting. New and current patients can get in touch at (646) 783-3529 to request a dentist appointment.