Diagnosing & Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Do you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? This potentially serious sleeping disorder causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly as often as 30 or more times an hour all night long. You might have OSA if you snore loudly, feel drowsy even after sleeping for a full eight hours, or wake up with a sore throat, dry mouth, or headache. Fortunately, options are available for treating obstructive sleep apnea. You just need the right diagnosis and an effective treatment method.

Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Many different health problems can cause symptoms similar to OSA. After all, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Everything from your mouth and nasal cavity anatomy to sleep position and alcohol consumption can lead to snoring.

Other sleep disorders can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness, including insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), narcolepsy (falling asleep suddenly during the day), and restless leg syndrome.

There are even multiple types of sleep apnea. While obstructive sleep apnea stems from overly relaxed throat muscles, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. When someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea, the condition is known as complex or mixed sleep apnea.

Each type of sleep apnea calls for a different treatment, so it’s important to diagnose the condition correctly. There are two primary tests for diagnosing OSA: polysomnography and a home sleep apnea test.

Polysomnography is a sleep study conducted in a lab. You are hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lungs, brain, breathing patterns, limb movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Polysomnography is useful for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea and ruling out other sleep disorders.

A home sleep apnea test provides your doctor with information similar to a polysomnography test, but you get to sleep in the comfort of your own home.

Ask your doctor about these tests if you ever snore loudly enough to disturb your partner, wake up gasping for air, or feel excessively tired during the day. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to determine if your sleep apnea could be wholly or partly caused by an anatomic blockage in your nose or throat.

Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Once you have a formal diagnosis, treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can begin.

Lifestyle changes

If you have a mild case of OSA, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to get your symptoms under control. Your doctor may recommend the following:

Lose weight and exercise regularly

Limit your alcohol consumption

Quit smoking

Avoid sleeping on your back

Use nasal decongestant

Avoid taking sleeping pills

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, consider treating obstructive sleep apnea with other methods. Your doctor may recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This involves wearing a face mask hooked up to a device beside your bed. It delivers constant air pressure to keep your throat open while you sleep.

Sleep apnea oral device

While CPAP is the most commonly prescribed method for treating obstructive sleep apnea, many people find the mask burdensome. It may prevent you from getting comfortable enough to fall asleep, and the noise of the machine might keep you awake.

If you have mild to moderate OSA, you may qualify for another option called a sleep apnea oral device. This popular alternative to CPAP involves wearing a custom-made mouth device that holds your jaw forward slightly, preventing your tongue and other soft tissues from blocking your airway.

Many types of sleep apnea oral devices are available today, but Dr. Ania recommends the MicrO2 Sleep Device. Made from control-cured PMMA, this appliance is more durable, precise, and predictable than other oral devices. It’s also more streamlined for a comfortable, retainer-like fit that makes you more inclined to wear it every night.

Surgery

You should only consider surgical intervention if severe sleep apnea drastically affects your quality of life, and you have attempted other non-invasive options first without success. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)—the standard surgical procedure for treating obstructive sleep apnea—involves removing some of the soft tissue from the back of your throat. Other surgical options include implants, jaw surgery, and tracheostomy.

Begin Sleep Apnea Treatment Today

After attempting to improve your sleep apnea with lifestyle changes, the next best option may be to try a sleep apnea oral device. Dr. Ania administers home sleep tests and creates custom-made oral sleep apnea devices to change the lives of our patients for the better.

If you still have questions, schedule an appointment with our Boulder dentist by calling 303-443-0998. We look forward to helping you achieve a more restful sleep than you’ve had in years!

Posted: October 16, 2019 By: Comment: 0

Healthy Fruits and Veggies for Your Mouth

Fruits and Veggies

Eating more fruits and veggies can benefit your health in many ways, including promoting strong teeth and healthy gums. Learn which produce items help out your mouth the most in honor of National Fruit and Veggie Month this September.

Apples

They say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but this crisp, nutritious fruit is also great for promoting healthy teeth. The crunchy texture of apples allows them to mimic a toothbrush, scrubbing your teeth to remove plaque. The chewing required to eat an apple also increases salivation, which helps neutralize the citric and malic acids that may stick to your teeth after eating fruit. Apple-chewing even stimulates your gums to help keep them healthy.

To be clear, apple juice contributes to tooth decay because it’s high in sugar and doesn’t have the scrubbing or saliva-increasing effects of eating fresh apples. Juice also lacks fiber, which is found in the skin of the fruit. To maximize the benefits, choose fresh fruit instead of juice whenever possible.

Produce Rich in Vitamin C

Many fruits and veggies are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps protect the gums and other soft tissues from cellular damage and bacterial infection. Foods rich in vitamin C include apples, pears, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapefruit, and oranges.

As a quick note, citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, but they are also highly acidic. Shortly after enjoying the taste and health benefits of a grapefruit or orange, brush your teeth or swish with water to prevent citric acid from lingering.

Carrots, Celery & Other Fibrous Vegetables

Healthy gums are vital to your overall oral health. Chewing on raw fibrous or hard vegetables stimulates the gums, generating higher saliva flow in the process.

Carrots and celery are particularly beneficial for your teeth because they are also a good source of beta carotene. This relates to oral health because your body needs beta carotene to create vitamin A, an essential nutrient for building strong teeth.

Leafy Greens

Eating salads regularly helps you get more folic acid in your diet. This type of B vitamin promotes a healthy mouth by supporting new cell growth in and around your teeth. In general, the darker the leaf, the more nutrients it contains. Some of the best leafy greens for a healthy mouth include spinach, kale, chard, and green and red leaf lettuce. Cruciferous vegetables, such as asparagus and cabbage, also rank high on the list.

Nutrients found in leafy greens include vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. Your body stores phosphorous in your teeth and bones, which helps increase the absorption rate of calcium and magnesium.

Berries

Blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, and more are high in anthocyanins. In fact, that’s what gives berries their vibrant colors. Anthocyanins are thought to prevent pathogens from attaching and colonizing on host tissues, including teeth. Then, cranberries, in particular, contain compounds that have been shown to disrupt the enzymes that allow tooth decay-causing bacteria to form.

The only problem with berries is that their rich colors can stain teeth. Remember to brush shortly after eating a handful of berries, or at least swish with water, to help prevent staining.

When to Eat Healthy Fruits and Veggies

Many fresh produce items are considered “functional foods,” which means they offer additional biological benefits beyond just their nutritional value. To get the most out of functional foods, you must eat them at the right time.

For instance, the tooth-scrubbing, gum-stimulating benefits of apples benefit you the most if you eat them last. This way, you help remove food particles from your teeth and get a gum massage at the end of your meal. It’s also helpful to eat acid-neutralizing foods after enjoying citrus fruit, such as milk, cheese, or unsweetened tea. This way, you get all the benefits of eating foods high in citric acid without the tooth decay to go with it.

How to Get More Fruits and Veggies in Your Diet

Sometimes, including enough fresh produce in your diet is easier said than done. Follow these tips to increases your daily fruit and veggie intake:

  • Add strawberries, bananas, or blueberries to your waffles or oatmeal.
  • When you need a snack between meals, reach for an apple or carrot sticks.
  • Freeze fruits and veggies to use in smoothies.
  • Set produce out on the counter where it’s easily visible.
  • Buy ready-made salads for a fast, convenient lunch.
  • Add spinach, tomatoes, and other favorite veggies to your pizza.
  • Stir vegetables into noodle dishes and soups.
  • Have fruit for a healthy, sweet dessert.

Maintain Good Oral Health with Regular Dentist Visits

Eating plenty of fruits and veggies helps to strengthen your teeth, promote healthy gums, and prevent cavities, but just because you have a healthy diet doesn’t mean you can skip routine dental exams and cleanings. If it’s been six months since your last trip to the dentist, consider scheduling an appointment with our Boulder dentist, Dr. Ania, by calling 303-443-0998. Our team will help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile you can be proud of!

Posted: September 4, 2019 By: Comment: 0

What is the MicrO2 Sleep Apnea Oral Device?

Sleep Apnea Oral Device

If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, or your partner complains about your snoring, you might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Finding an effective treatment is important to prevent the harmful side effects of OSA, which may include daytime sleepiness, headaches and migraines, high blood pressure, balance issues, weight gain, increased risk of stroke, and more.

Dr. Ania’s office fits patients with a minimally obtrusive sleep apnea oral device called the MicrO2, an effective option for treating mild to moderate OSA. This could be the solution you’ve been looking for!

What is the MicrO2 Sleep Apnea Oral Device?

You have a few options for treating sleep apnea, one of which is wearing an oral device while you sleep. The MicrO2 is an appliance that fits over your upper and lower teeth. The intention is to hold the lower jaw forward slightly, which helps keep your tongue and throat tissues from collapsing into the airway and blocking your breathing. To maximize the usefulness of this sleep apnea oral device, you must have it custom-made by a certified dentist like Dr. Ania.

Features & Benefits of the MicrO2 Sleep Apnea Oral Device

Several brands and styles of sleep apnea oral devices are available today, but we stand behind the design and innovation of the MicrO2, which is based on the clinical expertise of leaders in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine. Here are some of the features and benefits the MicrO2 offers:

Durable and strong

The MicrO2 is the only sleep apnea oral device made from control-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). This plastic is extremely strong and durable, allowing it to last for years with proper care. In fact, the manufacturer offers a three-year warranty permitting a free one-time repair, reline, or replacement per arch.

Still, if the appliance wears out, gets lost, or breaks, your unique bite model is saved digitally in your dentist’s computer. This allows a replacement to be manufactured in just seven days.

Comfortable and easy to use

The MicrO2 feels similar to wearing a plastic retainer. Because it’s designed using CAD/CAM technology, the spot-on accuracy means it fits over your teeth with incredible precision.

Inserting the device into your mouth is easy, and the contoured cheek and lip borders prevent it from digging into your soft tissues. It’s not overly bulky, either. The lingual-free design leaves plenty of room for your tongue. You can also open and close your jaw during wear, which is different from many other sleep apnea oral devices.

Easily adjustable

While other sleep apnea appliances have cumbersome metal hinges, screws, or elastics, the upper and lower arches of the MicrO2 feature unique 90-degree non-radius posts that are custom-made to fit your bite. These posts hold your lower jaw forward without any moving parts.

There are even multiple arches in the set you take home, allowing you to achieve the perfect adjustment. Simply trade out the upper or lower arch for another one in the set until you feel as comfortable as possible.

Attractive design

The MicrO2 is made of crystal-clear material, giving it a sleek, beautiful look. The clear plastic is also easier to keep clean than colored devices.

Other uses

While the primary purpose of the MicrO2 is to treat sleep apnea, it also reduces tooth grinding. This helps protect your teeth and gums and minimizes the risk for TMJ disorders.

Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea

Many patients who try the MicrO2 quickly see the value of this sleep apnea oral device in their daily lives. Here are some of the benefits of treating sleep apnea with the MicrO2:

Decrease daytime sleepiness, the primary reason people seek treatment for OSA.

Improve your quality of sleep so you wake up feeling rested.

Reduce snoring to help your partner get a restful sleep as well.

Improve your mood and mental health so you feel happier from day to day.

Increase your cognitive function to help you concentrate and get more done at work.

Lower your risk of traffic accidents by making you feel more alert behind the wheel.

Boost your quality of life with higher energy levels and an overall more positive outlook!

Treat Your Sleep Apnea with the MicrO2 Device

Ready to take a giant leap forward to improve your sleep? Dr. Ania can test you for sleep apnea with a home sleep test. If you show signs of mild to moderate OSA, you may benefit from wearing an oral device at night. We’ll fit you with a custom MicrO2 and get you on your way to better health and wellness!

To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ania, please call our Boulder dentist office at 303-443-0998.

Posted: August 27, 2019 By: Comment: 0

7 Fun Facts About Your Teeth

Your Teeth

Aside from when you’re brushing and flossing, how often do you think about your teeth on a daily basis? You rely on them for eating, talking, and smiling with confidence, but you may hardly give them a second thought most days. Take a moment to learn these seven fun facts about teeth so you appreciate them a little more.

Teeth are like fingerprints.

Just as no two people share the same fingerprints, no one has exactly the same teeth as anyone else. Not even identical twins have the same teeth. That’s why dental records are useful for identifying deceased individuals.

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body.

Enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth. Its primary purpose is to protect the softer parts of the tooth underneath. Enamel is comprised mostly of calcium and phosphate, the same substances found in your bones. However, enamel is even stronger than bone because of the particular proteins and crystallites that form it.

With that in mind, it’s important to understand that enamel still isn’t invincible. It can chip or crack in traumatic accidents, and it’s vulnerable to decay. Sugar and acid in the food you eat interact with the bacteria in your mouth to form plaque, a white, sticky substance that attacks your enamel and marks the start of tooth decay. Soda and candy are especially damaging, so you should make an effort to avoid them.

Dentin grows; enamel doesn’t.

Dentin is the tooth layer located beneath the enamel. Small channels and passageways carve their way through the dentin, which is how nerve signals and nutrients pass into each tooth. Dentin is also harder than bone, but unlike enamel, it doesn’t remain static. Instead, dentin grows and changes throughout your life.

“Tooth worms” were blamed for cavities until about 60 years ago.

In centuries past—and up until as recently as 1960—people thought dental cavities occurred because tiny worms bored holes through teeth, like earthworms eating through an apple. It was thought that toothaches associated with cavities were caused by a worm wriggling around inside the tooth. Today, of course, we know that tooth decay is caused by bacteria feeding on remnants of food left behind in your mouth.

Up to 300 types of bacteria live in your mouth.

It’s estimated that 200 to 300 bacterial species inhabit the human mouth. This may gross you out, but only a few species contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. The species known as streptococcus mutans is the main culprit for poor tooth and gum health. When these bacteria eat the sugar and carbohydrates lingering in your mouth after a meal, they leave acids behind that eat away at your enamel.

The best way to get rid of the harmful bacteria and acids in your mouth is to brush and floss daily. A natural sweetener called xylitol, which you can find in some brands of chewing gum, is also an effective way to decrease the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth. Streptococcus mutans can’t feed on this sugar alcohol, so these bacteria die off, leaving your mouth cleaner and your teeth less susceptible to decay.

(Almost) everyone has the same number of teeth.

Both men and women of all races have the same number of teeth. First, you develop 20 primary teeth as a child. By the time your permanent teeth replace all of your baby teeth, and your six- and 12-year molars grow in, you’re left with eight incisors, four canines, eight bicuspids, and eight molars for a total of 28 teeth.

It gets complicated when the time comes for wisdom teeth, or third molars, to appear in your late teens or early 20s. If your wisdom teeth come in, and you have room for them in your mouth, you’ll end up with 32 teeth. Many people have their third molars removed because there simply isn’t space.

Then, about 35 percent of the population never develops wisdom teeth. Some scientists believe this anomaly will continue becoming more and more prevalent as humans evolve to no longer need wisdom teeth at all.

Your teeth start to develop before you’re born.

A baby’s first tooth may not erupt until around eight to 12 months old, but the tooth buds of all 20 primary teeth and 28 permanent teeth are already present in the jaw on the day a baby is born. The only ones missing are the wisdom teeth, which don’t begin to develop until adolescence.

Schedule your next dentist visit with Dr. Ania

Let these fun facts serve as a reminder that you can never know too much about caring for your teeth and gums! Make daily oral care a top priority. Then, schedule routine dental cleanings and exams to keep your teeth beautiful and healthy. Dr. Ania will make sure you can smile with confidence for years to come with preventative and restorative dentistry in Boulder, CO.

You can reach us at 303-443-0998 to learn more or to schedule your appointment.

Posted: August 14, 2019 By: Comment: 0

Get Your Back-to-School Smile Ready

Back-to-School Smile

August is officially back-to-school month. Now’s the time when kids start preparing for early mornings, figuring out their new routine, and possibly attending a different school. Make sure your children have the confidence to take on the challenges and opportunities that a new school year brings. This means ensuring their oral health is spot on! Here’s how to get your child’s back-to-school smile ready.

Buy a New Toothbrush

There’s no more effective way to prevent cavities than by brushing your teeth morning and night. However, if your toothbrush has seen better days, it may not be capable of effectively scrubbing away plaque and food particles.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush once every three to four months or as soon as the bristles show signs of deterioration. You should also buy a new toothbrush after getting over an illness since the bristles harbor germs that could lead to re-infection.

When buying a new toothbrush for your back-to-school smile, look for one with soft bristles that won’t irritate your gums or wear down tooth enamel. Only in rare cases should people use medium- or hard-bristled toothbrushes. Also, look for a brush with a small head, which makes it easier to effectively clean hard-to-reach places toward the back of your mouth.

Reassess Your Oral Care Routine

You may have fallen out of your oral care routine over the summer. Late nights and family vacations can lead to bad habits. As you get back into the swing of things, make sure you and your children follow all the top oral care recommendations, including:

  • Brush your teeth for two minutes morning and night.
  • Make sure you brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
  • Floss once a day to remove plaque that hides between your teeth.

 

If you have young children who are starting preschool or kindergarten this year, get their back-to-school smile ready with these tips to make oral care fun:

  • Turn on a two-minute song while your child brushes their teeth.
  • Use a sticker calendar to mark each day your child brushes and flosses.
  • Pick a toothbrush in your child’s favorite color or with a fun cartoon character.
  • Buy kid-friendly floss holders that make flossing easier and more comfortable.

Prepare Healthy Lunches and After-School Snacks

Other decisions you make throughout the day affect the health of your teeth and gums besides how often you brush and floss. Take your diet, for example. Starchy foods, sugary candy, and colorful dyes can erode and stain teeth.

Promote a healthy back-to-school smile by encouraging your kids to make better choices for their body and mouth. For instance, fresh fruits and veggies such as apples, carrots, and celery are ideal for scrubbing teeth clean and counteracting bad breath. Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk provide calcium and other nutrients for strong teeth, and they also neutralize harmful acids in the mouth.

Get some healthy school lunch ideas from VegKitchen. Then, don’t just insist that your kids eat healthier this school year—practice what you preach, and adopt these healthy habits for yourself as well!

Wear a Mouthguard

If your child is planning to play contact sports this fall, protect their mouth with a simple device called a mouthguard. This fits over the teeth to protect against tooth chipping and cracking, as well as preventing soft-tissue injuries, such as bit tongues and split lips.

Not all mouthguards are created equal. Stock mouth protectors are the cheapest, but their one-size-fits-all solution isn’t ideal. Boil-and-bite protectors are the next best option, but they still may not fit perfectly.

The best option is to have a mouthguard custom made by your child’s dentist to ensure the ideal fit and best protection against injury. This small investment can keep your child from getting hurt and save you the time and expense of restorative dentistry.

Schedule a Dentist Appointment

The end of summer is the perfect time to schedule a dental cleaning and exam. Your dentist can assess any damage that occurred during the laidback summer months and get your child’s teeth prepared for a healthy school year before the busy back-to-school season hits in full force. Be sure to ask about fluoride treatment and dental sealants to help stop cavities before they start.

Get Ready to Flash that Back-to-School Smile!

Don’t put your child’s oral health on the back burner while you focus on other aspects of the back-to-school season. As a family dentist in Boulder, Dr. Ania can care for the smiles of children and adults alike. Our goal is to keep our patients’ mouths healthy and beautiful while ensuring the most comfortable experience in a professional yet relaxing office setting. Schedule a dental checkup for the whole family to get everyone’s back-to-school smile ready!

To learn more about our dentistry services, or to arrange a visit to our Boulder, CO dentist office, please contact us at 303-443-0998 today.

Posted: August 6, 2019 By: Comment: 0

The Facts on Chewing Gum

Chewing Gum

Candy is known for rotting teeth and causing cavities, but gum is in a different category. As long as you choose sugar-free products—especially those with the ADA Seal of Acceptance—gum chewing can be a healthy habit. Here are the facts on chewing gum that will make you want to pop a stick in your mouth right now.

Benefits of Chewing Gum

To benefit from chewing gum, steer clear of any products containing sugar. This only increases your chance of developing a cavity. Instead, choose a sugar-free option, which contains non-cavity-causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol. When you do, you can expect to enjoy these benefits.

Gum chewing helps to clean your teeth.

According to the Oral Health Foundation, chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps protect your teeth and gums. This sticky substance removes food particles from the surface of your teeth, lowering your risk for cavities in the process. It also stimulates 10 times the normal rate of saliva flow to help wash away food debris and reduce acids in your mouth that can erode tooth enamel.

Sugar-free gum sweetened with Xylitol reduces bacteria in the mouth.

While any sugar-free gum can help fight cavities, those containing xylitol are especially effective. This naturally occurring sweetener is the ideal replacement for sugar in gum and candy because cavity-causing bacteria can’t feed on it. This decreases the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, thus reducing your risk for cavities. Xylitol can even reverse existing decay by helping to replace vital minerals in your teeth.

Some chewing gum can harden tooth enamel.

Products containing a substance called casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) are praised for their ability to suppress demineralization and enhance the remineralizing and hardening of tooth enamel. These qualities make your teeth stronger and less susceptible to cavities.

Sugar-free gum helps with bad breath.

Mint is a popular chewing gum flavor. Popping a stick of gum in your mouth after eating garlic or onions can help mask the unpleasant odor. The increased saliva flow can also combat symptoms of dry mouth.

The ADA Seal ensures your gum is evaluated for safety and efficacy.

Some brands of sugar-free chewing gum contain the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This tells you that the product is effective at delivering any claims present on the packaging, such as reducing acid in the mouth, promoting remineralization, reducing cavities, and decreasing gingivitis. The ADA Seal also ensures the gum is deemed safe for your teeth and oral tissues. Manufacturers must submit laboratory and clinical studies to the American Dental Association to be eligible for the Seal.

Limitations of Chewing Gum

Adding gum chewing to your daily routine can be beneficial to your oral health. However, it’s not an option for everyone in every situation. Here are the limitations of chewing gum to be aware of.

Gum chewing is not recommended if you have a TMJ disorder.

For most people, gum chewing is a healthy and recommended habit for oral health. However, if you have jaw pain or symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, your dentist may advise you to steer clear of chewing gum, as well as other sticky, tough, or chewy foods.

Gum is not recommended for people with certain oral appliances.

Gum may stick to removable dentures and cause them to come loose. It is also not suitable to chew gum if you have a retainer or braces.

Young children shouldn’t chew gum.

The Oral Health Foundation doesn’t recommend chewing gum for children under seven years old because it can be a choking hazard. Parents should decide when and under what circumstances they deem it appropriate for their children to chew gum.

Whitening gum is limited in its abilities.

Some sugar-free gum products claim to “whiten” your teeth. You can expect them to help lessen the stains caused by smoking and drinking tea or coffee, but they cannot lighten the natural color of your teeth the way in-office whitening can.

Gum shouldn’t replace brushing and flossing.

While gum chewing is an excellent substitute for brushing and flossing while you’re out and about, it’s not a suitable long-term replacement for either one. Keep up with good oral hygiene along with daily gum chewing, which includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day.

Visit the Dentist to Maximize Your Oral Health

Clearly, gum has plenty of health benefits, but just because you chew a piece after lunch each day doesn’t mean you can skip making trips to the dentist. If you struggle with cavities and toothaches, or it’s simply time for your next routine exam and teeth cleaning, please contact Dr. Ania at 303-443-0998. The professionals at our Boulder, CO dentist office will take good care of your smile!

Posted: July 24, 2019 By: Comment: 0

Summer Snacks that are Good for Your Teeth

Summer Snacks

So many traditional summer snacks are packed with sugar, or they settle in the pits of your teeth where they attract cavity-causing bacteria. For a healthier smile, serve summer snacks at your next barbecue or pool party that are actually good for your teeth.

Crunchy Vegetables

Potato chips are standard party food, but this starchy snack lingers in your mouth, providing a meal for harmful bacteria. Raw vegetables are a much better way to get a satisfying crunch. They act like natural toothbrushes, scrubbing your teeth and stimulating saliva flow to wash away anything that’s left behind.

To incorporate crunchy vegetables at your next party, set out a tray of raw carrot sticks, celery, sugar snap peas, broccoli, and cauliflower with veggie dip. (See our recipe for Greek yogurt veggie dip below!)

You can also serve individual plastic cups with ranch dressing (or homemade dip) on the bottom and raw vegetables sticking out the top. This lets your guests grab-and-go, so they can get back to enjoying the party.

Dairy Products

Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are naturally low in sugar and rich in calcium, which is important for strong teeth and healthy enamel. Research also suggests that eating more dairy lowers your chance of gum disease.

Caprese salad skewers are an easy, tasty way to serve a healthy dairy and veggie option at your summer party. All you need are cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves. Assemble the ingredients on toothpicks, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Another simple option is to make your own Greek yogurt veggie dip to serve with the crunchy vegetables listed above. It’s healthier than ranch dressing, yet it tastes delicious thanks to ingredients like garlic powder, parsley, and dill.

Seedless Fruit

The natural sweetness of fruit makes it an excellent substitute for sugary summer snacks. The only problem is that many fruits have seeds that can get stuck in your guests’ teeth. Fortunately, many favorites are available in seedless varieties, including watermelon and grapes. Other suitable options include bananas, apples, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, cantaloupe, and mango.

The easiest way to serve seedless fruit as a summer snack is to chop up a variety and throw them in a bowl. A drizzle of orange juice adds just enough moisture to make the fruit salad feel like a special treat.

Fruit skewers are another fun way to make it easy for your guests to grab-and-go. Simply run a skewer through slices of your favorite fruit, and line them on a platter. If your party has a certain theme, think about the colors of fruit you choose and how you arrange them on the skewer.

Infused Water

Ditch the sugary soda and lemonade at your summer party, and treat your guests to delicious infused water instead. This healthy alternative won’t cause tooth decay or eat away at your enamel. And as a bonus, pitchers of infused water look beautiful on your buffet table.

Making infused water is easy. Simply fill a pitcher or drink dispenser with ice-cold water, and add any fruits and herbs you want to create a colorful concoction that tastes as good as it looks. Try cucumber, lemon, and mint leaves for a refreshing detoxifier. Opt for strawberry, orange, and basil for an uplifting, sweet treat. Or combine blueberries and peaches to boost your immunity and skin health. Let the water infuse for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Low-Sugar Frozen Summer Snacks

It’s easy to serve store-bought ice cream and Popsicles when you want a cold, sweet summer snack. However, these treats are packed with sugar that lingers on your teeth and causes cavities. Satisfy your sweet tooth without harming your smile by choosing low-sugar alternatives.

Frozen yogurt bites are a cool summer treat that is so easy to make, your kids can do it themselves! All you need is plain or flavored Greek yogurt, your favorite fruit, and optional toppings like granola, sliced almonds, or mini chocolate chips. Fill a lined muffin tin with your ingredients, freeze for a few hours, and there you have it—snack-size treats that won’t rot your teeth.

Homemade strawberry watermelon Popsicles are another favorite. If you end up with a big, not-so-great watermelon, salvage it by pureeing three cups of melon with one cup of strawberries and the juice of one lime. Pour the mixture into Popsicle molds and freeze for a few hours. You and your kids will love this frozen summer snack made from 100% fruit!

Remember to Schedule Dental Checkups this Summer

Replacing sugary summer snacks with healthier alternatives can work wonders for your smile this summer. However, it’s not enough simply to avoid sugar—you must also keep up with routine visits to the dentist. Oral exams every six months help keep you informed about any problems developing in your mouth so you can treat them in a timely manner. Preventative care can help you avoid painful infections, abscesses, and other issues.

To schedule your next dental cleaning and exam, please contact Dr. Ania’s office in Boulder, CO at 303-443-0998.

Posted: July 10, 2019 By: Comment: 0

5 Tips to Protect Your Smile Through Summer

Protect Your Smile

Summer is a time for outdoor family fun. You can’t help but smile when you’re soaking up the sun, playing in the pool, or going for a hike. Make sure you keep smiling with these five tips to protect your smile through summer.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying well-hydrated is important year-round, but this is especially true in the summer when warm temperatures and outdoor activities make you sweat more. Dehydration negatively affects every part of your body, including your teeth.

Without enough water, you increase your risk for dry mouth. Saliva production is essential for washing away food particles, so dry mouth can be very detrimental. Saliva also continually coats your teeth with a protective, slippery layer that prevents debris from sticking and acids from wearing away your enamel.

To ensure your saliva production remains high, protect your smile and drink plenty of water this summer. It helps to keep a water bottle with you, especially when you go out and about, and sip from it often. Remember, if you start feeling thirsty, you have already entered the first stage of dehydration.

Snack Smart to Protect Your Smile

Being extra active in the summer means you need to have snacks you can take on the go. While it’s easy to reach for sugary sports drinks, chewy candy, and starchy snacks, these don’t do your teeth any favors. Smarter snacks that improve your health and protect your smile include fresh fruits, raw vegetables, dairy products, and nuts and seeds.

If you’re going to the pool or hanging out at the lake, load a small cooler with carrot sticks, cucumber spears, apple slices, tangerines, hardboiled eggs, yogurt, cheese, sunflower seeds, and almonds. These delicious, healthy snacks will fill you up, give you fuel for your family fun activities, and protect your smile in the process.

Protect Your Smile with an Athletic Mouthguard

Every parent’s goal is to avoid a dental emergency during summertime sporting events. If your child plays contact sports, have him or her fitted with a custom athletic mouthguard before the season starts. This device is a highly effective way to protect your smile because it can prevent everything from chipped or knocked out teeth to bit lips or cheeks.

Different types of mouthguards are available, including stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards, and custom-fitted mouthguards. Some are used to prevent tooth grinding during the night, while others are made to protect your smile while playing sports.

The best type of mouthguard is a custom one made just for you. This requires a bit higher investment than buying stock or boil-and-bite versions, but the increased comfort and ability to avoid injury are well worth it.

Stick to Your Oral Care Routine

Summer is the time for family vacations! Even when you get off your normal routine while traveling or having extended family in town, that’s no excuse to become lax in your oral care routine.

Always make it a priority to brush and floss every night, and brush again in the morning. It’s not good enough to miss a night and tell yourself, “I’ll brush extra good tomorrow.” This creates bad habits that lead to more cavities and gum disease.

If you go on a trip, pack your toothbrush with care. It’s ideal to have a carrying case with ventilation holes. Even then, you should wait until your toothbrush is as dry as possible before packing it. Moisture lingering on the bristles of a toothbrush encourage mold growth, which you definitely don’t want in your mouth!

Get a Dental Checkup

Has it been more than six months since your last trip to the dentist? It’s wise to make time for a dental checkup before your upcoming vacation. Just like getting your car tuned-up before a road trip, having your teeth inspected gives you peace of mind that a dental emergency is unlikely to occur while you’re out of town.

It’s also wise to schedule dental appointments for your children before they return to school in the fall. This is the perfect time to make sure your kids did a good job of keeping up with their oral care routines over the summer before the hectic back-to-school season arrives.

Dr. Ania is ready to help you or your child protect your smile this summer! Whether you are looking for a custom mouthguard, have a dental emergency you need to address, or want to schedule your family’s next dental appointments, we’re here for you. Our office is conveniently located on Canyon Blvd in Boulder.

For more tips to protect your smile, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Ania’s dentist office today at 303-443-0998.

Posted: June 26, 2019 By: Comment: 0

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe and Does it Work?

When you think of charcoal, what comes to mind? You might picture grilling up a burger with charcoal briquettes or drawing a picture with a charcoal pencil. Activated charcoal is also used in air and water filters. Recently, dental researchers have started putting activated charcoal in toothpaste. Sound bizarre? Learn more about charcoal toothpaste, how it works, and whether you should try it.

What is Activated Charcoal?

The kind of charcoal used on the grill and in artist’s pencils is not the same thing as medical activated charcoal. Regular charcoal is produced by slowly burning natural materials such as peat, wood, and coconut husks. Activated charcoal takes this one step further by treating regular charcoal to make it more porous.

The resulting nooks and crannies attract dirt, oil, and other unwanted substances, which is what makes it a useful ingredient in air and water filters. Activated charcoal even absorbs and traps toxic chemicals, so it’s often used as a standard treatment for accidental poisoning.

Why Put Charcoal in Toothpaste?

It stands to reason that if activated charcoal can remove dirt from water and poison from your digestive system, it could remove stains, tartar, and germs from your teeth. In fact, some dentists say it can remove surface stains caused by wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, and other dark- or brightly-colored foods and drinks. Just don’t expect charcoal to whiten your teeth the way a bleaching product can.

The notion of using charcoal in toothpaste is nothing new. In fact, an 1860s home encyclopedia described how to make homemade toothpaste with ground charcoal as an ingredient. Even back in ancient Roman days, people used powdered charcoal and bark to help clean their teeth.

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?

Some people have concerns about the abrasiveness of charcoal. However, if you’re still picturing lumps of charcoal briquettes, think again. Ground charcoal is closer to the consistency of baking soda, an ingredient that has been used in whitening toothpaste for decades.

However, if you have sensitive teeth, the abrasiveness of charcoal could be an issue. You don’t want to wear down your enamel, or the outermost layer of your teeth, which doesn’t grow back. That’s why, regardless of the toothpaste you use, you should always apply gentle pressure when brushing your teeth.

What about the black color? Charcoal toothpaste is supposed to remove surface stains, but couldn’t it leave a sooty appearance behind? Luckily, that’s not a problem with charcoal toothpaste. As for the taste, charcoal toothpaste contains flavoring agents, just like any other mint toothpaste.

Some people are concerned about charcoal’s ability to absorb medications. The LA Times observes that eating activated charcoal has been known to interfere with the effectiveness of drugs, such as hormonal birth control pills, rendering them ineffective. The good news is that, unless you swallow your toothpaste (which we don’t recommend), activated charcoal has a very little chance of affecting the prescriptions in your digestive tract and bloodstream.

Be aware that most charcoal-based toothpastes do not have fluoride. A majority of dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste unless special circumstances apply, such as if you have allergies or are choosing toothpaste for a young child. For this reason, many people who try charcoal toothpaste use it every other day for its stain-removing capabilities, sticking to their regular fluoride toothpaste the rest of the time to continue fighting dental decay.

Does Charcoal Toothpaste Really Work?

In the last decade, the oral care industry has seen a resurgence of charcoal toothpaste with claims ranging from whitening and breath freshening to providing antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal benefits. Some labels even sport the word “detoxifying.”

However, while activated charcoal can lift away plaque and food particles to leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean, the effect is no more dramatic than what you might see with any toothpaste. According to an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, the therapeutic claims made by some charcoal toothpaste brands are “unsubstantiated” and “misleading.” Here are JADA’s conclusions:

The results of this literature review showed insufficient clinical and laboratory data to substantiate the safety and efficacy claims of charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices. Larger-scale and well-designed studies are needed to establish conclusive evidence.

So, the jury is still out on charcoal toothpaste. For now, it’s hard to say whether it’s just a fad, or if it’s here to stay. Still, many people feel like charcoal in toothpaste is worthwhile. If you’re curious, feel free to give it a try—you can find charcoal-based toothpaste online and in some drug stores for around the same price as regular toothpaste. And if you choose to skip it, rest assured that you’re not missing out on the latest scientific breakthrough.

For more dental news, or to schedule an appointment with a Boulder dentist, please call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998.

Posted: June 18, 2019 By: Comment: 0

How the ADA Seal of Acceptance Helps You Choose Dental Products

ADA Seal of Acceptance

Do you feel overwhelmed when browsing the oral care aisle? How are you supposed to pick out the best products for you and your family? Looking for the ADA Seal of Acceptance is a good place to start.

What is the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

The American Dental Association has promoted the safety and efficacy of dental products since as early as 1866. Even back then, the ADA was committed to questioning the extravagant claims made by tooth powders and pastes of the time.

Then, in 1930, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs created formal guidelines for evaluating dental products for safety and effectiveness. The Council awarded its first Seal of Acceptance in 1931.

Today, over 200 non-prescription dental products carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Dentists can recommend these products, and consumers can use them with confidence, knowing they have passed tests and met rigorous requirements that prove they deliver the promises made on the label.

What is the Value of the ADA Seal?

Participating in the ADA Seal program is not mandatory. Distributors and manufacturers request to have their products evaluated and pay thousands of dollars in submission and maintenance fees because they understand the value of having the ADA Seal of Acceptance on their products.

In 2017, the ADA conducted a consumer survey to determine the public’s view on the ADA Seal. Two-thirds of respondents felt that the presence of the ADA Seal simplified the purchasing decision. Seven out of 10 said they would choose an Accepted product over one without the Seal.

These results show that consumers recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance as a symbol of safety and efficacy. The ADA even received official recognition from President Ronald Reagan in 1984, who praised the Association for its outstanding self-regulatory efforts.

How Does a Dental Product Qualify for the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

Companies that choose to apply for the Seal devote significant resources to testing and marketing their products. Dental products submitted to the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs must include the results of clinical or laboratory studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product according to its category requirements.

Members of the Council review the submission, evaluating it against published technical standards, ADA requirements, and ANSI/ADA and ISO specifications. The Council may also consult with experts in specific areas if necessary. Consultants to the ADA include microbiologists, pharmacologists, toxicologist, chemists, and dental material experts.

It’s important to know that not all submissions qualify for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. After all, the ADA asks companies to meet standards that are higher than what is required by law. Only if a product meets stringent guidelines regarding safety, efficacy, composition, labeling, package inserts, advertising, and other promotional material does the ADA offer its acceptance and allow a product to display the ADA Seal on its packaging.

The Seal of Acceptance is awarded for a period of five years. If the composition of a product changes within this period, the manufacturer must submit updated safety and chemical data before marketing the new product with the Seal. Additional testing may be required if the Council determines that the changes could potentially affect the safety or efficacy of the product.

If a submitted product is deemed obsolete, inferior, ineffective, or dangerous to public health, the ADA Council will declare it unacceptable. The Council may also provide reports for publication in The Journal of the American Dental Association or another similar medium to get the word out to the public.

What Dental Products Can Earn the Seal of Acceptance?

The American Dental Association reviews all sorts of dental therapeutic agents. The first requirement is for the US Food and Drug Administration to approve the product for marketing directly to consumers. Anything promoted as a therapeutic agent, drug, chemical, cosmetic product, material, instrument, or equipment used to treat or prevent dental disease can be considered for the Seal.

Check for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when you shop for the following products:

  • Toothpastes
  • Electric and manual toothbrushes
  • Water flossers
  • Mouth rinses
  • White strips and other bleaching products
  • Denture adhesives and cleaners
  • Sports mouthguards
  • Emergency tooth preservation products
  • Dental pain relief products
  • Water filters
  • Sugar-free chewing gum

Combine High-Quality Dental Products with Routine Dentist Visits

There’s no doubt that using products labeled with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can help keep your mouth healthy. However, at-home care isn’t enough to keep your smile bright and beautiful. You should also schedule routine dentist visits for the professional cleanings, oral exams, and X-rays you need to keep on top of your oral health.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Boulder, CO, consider Dr. Ania. We belong to several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association, so we’re well-equipped to help you choose products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

For answers to your remaining questions, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Ania’s dentist office at 303-443-0998.

Posted: June 11, 2019 By: Comment: 0

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