Brushing your teeth: When’s the best time?

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: sleep-apnea

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  • With Mayo Clinic prosthodontist

    Alan Carr, D.M.D.

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    Biography of

    Alan Carr, D.M.D.

    photo of Alan B. Carr, D.M.D. Alan B. Carr, D.M.D.

    Dr. Alan B. Carr, Department of Dental Specialties at Mayo Clinic, is a consultant in the Division of Prosthodontics and a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

    Dr. Carr, a native of Hattiesburg, MS., received his prosthodontics training at Mayo. Following his training he has was an assistant professor at Marquette University and then became a full professor at Ohio State University where his clinical duties included Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the James Cancer Hospital. He returned to Mayo in 2000.

    Dr. Carr is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served in the Air Force and has degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. He has made dozens of international and national presentations, and is author of a dental textbook.

    His clinical practice focuses on combined prosthodontics and reconstruction of patients with disabling oral conditions. His research interests include oral and craniofacial endosseous implants, tobacco cessation, and the impact of oral health on general health, especially for patients with chronic illness and the elderly.

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Question

When to brush your teeth

Is there a time that’s best to brush your teeth? After certain foods?

Answer

from Alan Carr, D.M.D.

At a minimum, the American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day; one time should be before sleep. But if you snack and drink throughout the day, it may be helpful to brush your teeth more often.

When you brush your teeth, you help remove plaque — a sticky film that forms on your teeth because of bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria in plaque causes the two major tooth-related diseases, cavities (dental caries) and gum disease (periodontitis).

It’s important to brush your teeth after you eat, because certain food and drinks cause bacteria in your mouth to release acids that are harmful to your tooth enamel. When you eat food or drink beverages containing sugar or starch, the bacteria in your mouth produce acids that can attack your tooth enamel for 20 minutes or more. Choosing nutritious foods that are low in carbohydrates and sugar and drinking plenty of water also can help reduce harmful acid production.

One caveat to brushing after you eat is if you’ve eaten an acidic food or drink — for example, orange juice. Avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes after acidic foods and beverages. These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can cause damage to the enamel. If you know you’re going to eat or drink something very acidic ahead of time, you may want to brush your teeth first.

Brushing your teeth alone can’t remove all of the decay-causing plaque. The American Dental Association also recommends using an antimicrobial mouth rinse plus flossing daily between your teeth to get rid of food particles and minimize plaque and bacteria.

Next question

Heart disease prevention: A link to oral health?

References

  1. Eating habits that can harm teeth. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_21.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2010.
  2. Cleaning your teeth and gums. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/30Ȩ.aspx?currentTab=1#plaque. Accessed June 15, 2010.
  3. Diet and oral health. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2984.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed June 15, 2010.
  4. Wiegand A, et al. Toothbrushing before or after an acidic challenge to minimize tooth wear? An in situ/ex vivo study. American Journal of Dentistry񎧘21:13.
  5. Lussi A. Dental erosion — Novel remineralizing agents in prevention or repair. Advances in Dental Research. 2009;21:13.
  6. Hooper SM, et al. The protective effects of toothpaste against erosion by orange juice: Studies in situ and in vitro. Journal of Dentistry. 2007;35:476.
  7. O’Hehir T. Evidence-based or just a tradition? Dental Abstracts. 2005;50:264.

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© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. “Mayo,” “Mayo Clinic,” “MayoClinic.com,” “EmbodyHealth,” “Enhance your life,” and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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Insomnia and Poor Quality Sleep: Causes and Treatments

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: insomnia

Insomnia and Poor Quality Sleep: Causes and Treatments

Insomnia is irregular wakefulness, inability to sleep or poor quality sleep. This problem might cause during daytime, like lack of energy, tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Some level of this problem is experienced by everyone. It is as simple as not able to fall asleep, as changes made in sleeping patterns or excitement of next day. A symptom of Night time eating syndrome may be Insomnia.

Different classifications of Insomnia are chronic, intermittent and transient. The short term insomnia is transient insomnia, which lasts from single night to couple of weeks. Insomnia which occurs on and off is Intermittent Insomnia. The constantly occurred insomnia is chronic insomnia.

This problem can be caused by different things. The people who are experiencing stress, extreme temperatures, change in surrounding environment, environmental noise, wake/sleep schedule problems like medication side effects is caused by intermittent and transient insomnia. The chronic insomnia cause is more complex than intermittent and transient insomnia causes. It results in the combination of factors which includes mental disorders or underlying physical. Chronic insomnia is most commonly caused by depression.

Other substances or medications may also cause insomnia like tobacco, caffeine, stimulants, alcohol, nicotine, sedatives, certain allergy, theophylline and cold medicines. The primary causes of insomnia include medical or emotional conditions. Some life changes can cause long term insomnia like changes in their work schedule, major life problems, emotional upsets like relationship break up, long lasting stress and Gastrointestinal disorders like heartburn.

The non-drug treatments of insomnia:

The treatment not only includes medications, but even behavioral modifications for long term results and sleep habitat. To manage insomnia, it is important to evaluate sleep habitats. In some cases changing sleep schedule might correct the problem without any medications.

The good sleep habitat includes a comfortable quite room at comfortable temperature and a comfortable bed, regular sleep times, appropriate lighting, regular exercises, not late in evenings or close to bed time, avoid naps during day time and relaxations techniques like breathing exercise.

The OTC (Over the Counter) medicines for insomnia are advisable only for short term and transient insomnia. The OTC drugs should not be used for short period conjunction, with having changes in sleeping habitats. These drugs when used for chronic results in dependence on them. Where it creates a problem, that sleep is not possible till the use of drug. Chromic insomnia should be evaluated by physicians.

The Antihistamines for insomnia:

Doxylamine (for e.g. Unisom) and Diphenhydramine (for e.g. Nytol, Sominex) are marketed as OTC drugs. Diphenhydramine is the agent which is considered to be effective and safe by drug and food administration. The effectiveness and safety of doxylamineis not adequately evaluated for FDA approval. The causes of Diphenhydramine include motion, allergy, cough suppression and sickness.

The drug interactions for insomnia:

Doxylamine and Diphenhydramine add medications which causes drowsiness and the tranquilizer of alcohol.          

The side effects for insomnia:

Doxylamine and Diphenhydramine also cause dry mouth, difficulty in urinating and constipation. Both the drugs worsen the symptoms of asthma, prostate gland enlargement, glaucoma and heart problems.

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Dental braces

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: sleep-apnea

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dental braces are the familiar wire-based appliances that orthodontists use to correct crowded and misaligned teeth or jaws. Many people who need dental braces get them during their early adolescent years. But adults can get dental braces, too.

The goal of dental braces is to properly align your teeth and jaws and produce an even bite.

Modern materials and technologies make the experience of having dental braces much more comfortable and enjoyable than in the past.

References

  1. Why do people get braces? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/print/printpreview.asp?content=article&abc=w&iid=322&aid=1304. Accessed June 11, 2010.
  2. Braces and retainers. Cleveland Clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/devices/dental_care/hic_braces_and_retainers.aspx. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  3. Today’s orthodontic treatment. American Association of Orthodontists. http://www.braces.org/learn/Straight-teeth-are-healthy-teeth.cfm. Accessed June 11, 2010.
  4. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Orthodontic instructions. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research 2010.
  5. Harrison JE, et al. Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth in children (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD003452.
  6. Braces and orthodontics. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2598.aspx. Accessed June 9, 2010.
  7. What is malocclusion? American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/maloccl.asp. Accessed June 10, 2010.
  8. Littlewood SJ, et al. Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD002283.
  9. Heasman P. Master Dentistry, Volume Two: Restorative Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Limited; 2008:283.
  10. Carr AB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 26, 20Ǫ.

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© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. “Mayo,” “Mayo Clinic,” “MayoClinic.com,” “EmbodyHealth,” “Enhance your life,” and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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How Too Tell If Your Sleep Problem Is Insomnia

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: insomnia

How Too Tell If Your Sleep Problem Is Insomnia

About 35% of adults claim that they have some form of insomnia occasionally and about 12% of these people claim to have severe insomnia. Insomnia complaints often increase with age and are more common in women.

Insomnia is not considered a disease but it is a condition of lack of correct, satisfying sleep. Someone with insomnia will generally have the sensation of daytime fatigue and impaired potential performance. Insomnia relates to the inability to sleep even though one is tired and can include waking up too early and having too fitful of a sleep leaving one tired upon waking. Insomnia can result in irritability, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and tiredness.

There are two generally recognized types of insomnia, acute and chronic. Both acute and chronic insomnia have many shared characteristics and a combination of symptoms may blur the actual lines.

Acute insomnia is often caused by physical or emotional discomforts that can usually be corrected fairly easily. Acute insomnia may be caused by stress, illness or disturbing loud noise, temperatures too high or low, or unacceptable light levels. Additionally, acute insomnia may be caused by jet lag or disturbances of the daily biological rhythm, such as the night shift.

Chronic insomnia is the more difficult insomnia to deal with and often is associated with many different factors either acting alone or in combination and often includes medical problems.

Chronic insomnia is often associated with medical, neurological and or psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders accounts for about 45% of the cases. Chronic insomnia can be associated with a variety of nonprescription drugs, prescription drugs and drugs of abuse.

There are many causes of insomnia and often an insomniac has more then one cause to blame for this condition. One of the main causes of insomnia are drugs. Some of the drugs associated with insomnia include stimulating antidepressants, steroids, decongestants, beta blockers, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and recreational drugs.

Anxiety and mood disorders can be the cause of insomnia, as well as medical problems such as pain, immobility, menopause, hormonal changes, and difficulty breathing.

Insomnia can be associated with specific sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, sleep apnea and circadian rhythm sleep problems. Additional causes of insomnia include poor sleep hygiene, poor sleep surfaces such as bad mattresses, hyper arousal, and behavioral conditioning.

Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS is a condition where the sufferer feels unpleasant sensations in the legs which are temporarily alleviated by moving around. Symptoms are increased during relaxed times and sleeping times. This makes it difficult to fall asleep.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder describes jerking, rhythmic, repeated movements in the legs and lower extremities every 15 to Ⱥ seconds. Sufferers who have this problem report having less refreshing sleep.

Sleep Apnea which is associated with snoring can cause sleeplessness and insomnia.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders refer to a mis- match between when a person can sleep and when his body needs and wants to sleep.

Other causes of insomnia include poor sleep hygiene, stress, hyper arousal and negative behavioral conditioning.

Often acute insomnia (insomnia that lasts less than several weeks) may warrant some kind of medical intervention if you can not correct the problem yourself. This is important because good sleepers that suffer just a few hours of sleeplessness may become significantly sleepy during the day and be a danger to him self and others, especially during driving or operating equipment. There is also the danger that acute insomnia may develop into a learned chronic insomnia.

There are two basic approaches to the treatment of insomnia. Basically one approach is to use drugs and the other approach is behavioral.

Behavioral treatment includes correcting poor sleep habits and changing sleep beliefs and attitudes. Several of the therapies include relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control therapy, and cognitive therapy.

Pharmacological therapy includes hypnotic medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, melatonin, and other drugs like barbiturates.

In conclusion, there are effective solutions to insomnia and sleep deprivation. The patient can do much to help themselves in this matter and the physician has many tools to aid in this. Improved sleep will help in your quality of life, and health both mental and physical.

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular web site AbeFeller.com.
www.abefeller.com is a ecommerce site offering great deals and service on mattresses, airbeds, adjustable beds, water beds and bed frames. AbeFeller.com offers a great selection of mattresses for sale.

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Video: Fitness ball bridge with heel dig

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: sleep-apnea

Video: Fitness ball bridge with heel dig

Nicole Krupa: Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including the muscles in your abdomen and back. The bridge is a core exercise you can do to work various core muscles in combination. If you’re comfortable with the bridge, add a heel dig. This exercise primarily targets the hamstrings, the muscles at the backs of your thighs.

Lie on your back with your legs resting on top of the fitness ball and your arms resting at your sides. When you’re ready to begin the exercise, tighten your abdominal muscles and raise your hips and buttocks off of the floor.

Keeping your hips off the floor, dig your heels into the ball while you pull it closer to your buttocks with your feet. Hold for three deep breaths. Then return to the starting position.

Remember to breathe freely and deeply throughout the exercise, and keep your abdominal muscles nice and tight. As you get stronger, gradually increase to 10 to 15 repetitions.

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Video: Squat and reach with fitness ball

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 No Commented Categorized Under: sleep-apnea

Video: Squat and reach with fitness ball

Nicole Krupa: Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including the muscles in your abdomen and your back. You can do many core exercises with a fitness ball. Let’s try the squat and reach.

Hold the fitness ball in front of you and bend your knees into a squat position. Keep your back straight and your arms parallel to the floor. Don’t let your knees extend beyond your feet.

To begin the exercise, tighten your abdominal muscles. Keeping your knees bent, rotate your trunk and reach with the ball to the left. Hold for three deep breaths. Return to the starting position and repeat to your right.

To vary the exercise, you can hold the fitness ball in a downward position, like this, or in an upward position, like this.

If you’re just starting out, repeat the exercise five times on each side. Remember to breathe freely and deeply throughout your exercise, and keep the abdominal muscles nice and tight. As you get stronger, gradually increase to 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.

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