The profession of dentistry has experienced an amazing evolution over its lifetime. References to tooth decay can be found in various ancient texts. At one time, a local barber would provide haircuts and pull troublesome teeth in the same shop. Dentistry evolved from these humble beginnings to what we know today: a structured medical discipline where patients benefit from evidenced-
On the list of common reasons people avoid the dentist, cost is usually near the top. It is a fact — some dental treatments are expensive. However, you have some control in working to avoid pricey dental procedures. Two of the best ways to avoid needing expensive dental treatments are to visit a dentist regularly for an exam and cleaning and following proper dental hygiene advice every day.
The National Sleep Foundation estimates over 18 million adults in the United States, or about one in every 15 people, suffer from sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that interrupts breathing, resulting in disruptive sleep. Individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea will experience a repetitive (partial or complete) airway collapse throughout their sleep, which prevents air from reaching the lungs.
Have you ever experienced tenderness in your jaw area? Facial pain is a rather common issue in the general population, with 15 percent to 20 percent of people reporting symptoms. While some only suffer temporarily, others find their discomfort lingers for a longer period or reaches a level that significantly diminishes their quality of life. This type of pain can greatly affect chewing, biting and even speech. When the discomfort lingers or reaches severe levels, it will often prompt a doctor visit to address the issue.
According to the American Cancer Society, 51,540 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2018. During the same period, a total of 10,030 deaths are expected. These statistics are even more important for Kentucky residents, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted upon reviewing data from 2015 that Kentucky has the second highest rate of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the country, with 13.4 new cases per 100,000 people.
Recent studies show periodontal disease – more commonly known as gum disease – is much more common than previously thought, with almost half of the adults in the United States suffering from it. The prevalence of periodontal disease is even worse when looking at the male population: 60 percent of men over age 30 years suffer from gum disease.
It has been over a year since Andrea Crookston made the decision to make her oral health a top priority and partner with University of Kentucky Dentistry. Prior to starting the journey, Crookston would hide her smile when taking photos. Fear and anxiety kept her from going to the dentist every six months as recommended. Instead, she would only go when the pain was too much for her to tolerate.
Many people think of orthodontic treatment when they have concerns about crowded or misplaced teeth. While metal braces are often considered a rite of passage for teenagers, there are a number of issues orthodontic treatment can help address for individuals without age limits. These issues include not only teeth and occlusion (the position of the teeth when the jaws are closed) but also facial balance and aesthetics.
Many people may be aware of adults who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder of breathing during sleep, but few realize children can also suffer from this condition. During an apnea event, a child may only be able to take a small amount of air – or none at all – into his or her lungs. A child with OSA can breathe normally during some portions of the night, but during an obstructive episode, the ribcage moves, trying to fill the lungs with air, but the airway is obstructed in....
Although the concept of digital dentistry began decades ago, advancements aided by the computerization of many tasks continue to be introduced to the marketplace and dental practices. These changes allow dental care providers to offer new options in patient care, helping to increase both the accuracy and effectiveness of care solutions, which ultimately supports greater patient satisfaction. If you’ve been putting visiting the dentist off, you may want to take a moment to see if....
It only takes something as quick as one soccer ball or basketball hitting a face to affect a smile forever. All sporting activities have an associated risk of dental trauma due to falls, collisions and contact with hard surfaces or sports-
There is no shortage of things to think about when you’re pregnant, from prepping for baby’s arrival to squeezing in enough rest. Unfortunately, some areas such as oral health are overlooked during pregnancy. Hormonal changes as well as behavioral changes occur for many women during pregnancy, both of which can directly affect the mouth. As the baby’s wellbeing can be impacted by the oral health of the expectant mother, special attention should be placed on oral health and any....
When Lexington resident Hannah Andrews started suffering from pain in her jaw that migrated toward her ear, she visited an urgent care clinic to confirm whether she had an ear infection. Ear infections may require an antibiotic for treatment. But when she was checked, Hannah was told her ears looked fine. Instead, clinic personnel thought the real culprit could be linked to an issue with her temporomandibular joint – a small joint located on each side of the jaw responsible for....
Did you know tooth decay in children is four times more common than asthma? In fact, one of the most prevalent childhood diseases is dental caries, a process where the presence of bacteria in the mouth leads to the weakening of protective tooth enamel, which in turn can lead to tooth decay.
The American Cancer Society estimates roughly 53,000 people in the United States will develop oral cancer in 2019. That’s about 145 new cases confirmed each day. More troubling still, Kentucky has one of the nation’s highest incidences of oral cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What started as a way for cigarette smokers to kick the habit is shaping into another health challenge. Increasingly, a growing percentage of youth are discovering e-
The food we eat affects not only our teeth but also our health overall. Webster’s Dictionary defines diet as the kinds of foods a person, animal or community habitually eats. “Diet” can mistakenly be associated with food restriction and often carries a bad connotation. However, a healthy approach to eating results in benefits that may include improved sleep, more energy, clearer skin and fat loss, as well as strong teeth and bones.
There are a variety of reasons you may develop a sore or lesion in your mouth. These include everything from simply biting your tongue, cheek or lip to wearing poor-
Snoring is a very common condition that affects roughly 90 million adults in the United States. While more prevalent among men, women also snore, and although snoring affects individuals of all ages, it tends to become more common as we get older. Snoring is caused by the vibration of tissues in the throat when the muscles relax while an individual is asleep. This vibration during breathing can cause a loud noise that varies in intensity. It may occur occasionally or regularly.
New teeth can be exciting, whether you are seeing your little one’s first tooth arrive or a child is getting their first visit from the tooth fairy. However, with new teeth, as with many major childhood milestones, numerous questions may arise. Parents and guardians may have concerns about their child’s oral health.
In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of companies offering direct-
Over time, teeth can take on stains from consuming everything from coffee and tea to foods with tomato-
Many people have heard of periodontal or gum disease and they understand those who suffer from it can experience tooth loss if the condition is left unchecked. In fact, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, damaging the mouth silently with possibly little to no symptoms such as pain. What some people may not understand is the association between periodontal disease and other systemic, chronic conditions.
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CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS CAN DEVELOP SLEEP APNEA
regulation of growth hormone, allowing the cells of this developing organism to multiply and repair. In the cognitive area, it is during sleep that a child consolidates all that was learned during the day. It is also during sleep when emotions are regulated and stored.
Because sleep is important for children, the consequences of chronic OSA can be paramount. It can affect the central nervous, cardiovascular and metabolic systems. This can influence a child’s ability to concentrate in school and cause poor academic performance, behavioral and cardiovascular problems and poor growth and development. Many children diagnosed with attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or behavioral disorders at school have been found to have OSA. Poor sleep quality and lack of adequate blood oxygenation were the primary causes of the original diagnosis.
Apnea in children can be produced by the difference between the amount of air a child needs to enter their lungs and the amount of space in their airway that allows air to enter. The amount of airway space can decrease when a child is sleeping because the muscles that line the airway relax or because of the
presence of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, fatty deposits lining the airway and/ or an anatomically small airway. Although most airways decrease due to lower muscle tone during sleep, in some children the space left can be critically small, allowing almost no air into the lungs.
A pediatric dentist can be a good screener for this type of sleeping disorder because their area of expertise is neighboring the airway. During a dental visit, tonsil size should be evaluated, and large tonsils should be followed up by a thorough examination and history taking to rule out OSA. Pediatric dentists will ask about snoring because this is an important factor to consider: 50 percent of frequent snorers have OSA. Another important factor to consider is elevated body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Recent studies have determined the prevalence of OSA due to a high BMI is increasing rapidly. To objectively rule out OSA, an overnight sleep study may be performed; this will accurately determine if OSA is present and if treatment should follow.
Managing OSA depends on the severity of the condition. It usually begins with surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Other treatment options are weight loss for children with a high BMI, use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and/or anti-
OSA is a troublesome condition that can affect a significant part of our child population. A complete history and examination at the dentist’s office can help screen those children who are at risk. An overnight sleep study can objectively diagnose OSA. Once diagnosed, many options are available to manage this condition. With early diagnosis and treatment, health and behavioral consequences produced by OSA can be reverted.
DR. LINA SHARAB
Dr. Cristina Perez is an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and the Director of the Pediatric Residency Program. As a pediatric dentist with additional expertise in orofacial pain, her clinical interests include temporomandibular disorders and obstructive sleep apnea. More information about UK Dentistry is available at www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/dentistry.
Many people may be aware of adults who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder of breathing during sleep, but few realize children can also suffer from this condition.
During an apnea event, a child may only be able to take a small amount of air – or none at all – into his or her lungs. A child with OSA can breathe normally during some portions of the night, but during an obstructive episode, the ribcage moves, trying to fill the lungs with air, but the airway is obstructed in such a way this is not mechanically possible.
Imagine how hard it is to hold your breath under water even for a couple of seconds. Children with OSA are involuntarily holding their breath for 10 seconds at a time, more than 10 times per hour all night long. Once a child’s brain is aware air is needed, the child wakes up and can breathe normally until the obstructions sets in again. This disturbance can cause very poor sleep quality. Furthermore, these lapses in air intake can cause the level of oxygen in the blood to be so low the child can suffer important consequences to their general health.
Sleep is a fundamental process in a child because it helps the physical recovery of the muscles, ligaments and bones children use and overuse all day. In a growing child, sleep is important for the secretion and