2012 May | Poss Dental Designs

May 22, 2012

Sleep Apnea Tied to Increase in Cancer

According to the New York Times, two new studies have found that people with sleep apnea, a common disorder that causes snoring, fatigue and dangerous pauses in breathing at night, have a higher risk of cancer. The new research marks the first time that sleep apnea has been linked to cancer in humans.

About 28 million Americans have some form of a sleep disorder, though many cases go undiagnosed. For sleep doctors, the condition is a top concern because it deprives the body of oxygen at night and often coincides with cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

In one of the studies, researchers in Spain followed thousands of patients at sleep clinics and found that those with the most severe forms of sleep apnea had a 65 percent greater risk of developing cancer of any kind. The second study, of about 1,500 government workers in Wisconsin, showed that those with the most breathing abnormalities at night had five times the rate of dying from cancer as people without the sleep disorder. Both research teams only looked at cancer diagnoses and outcomes in general, without focusing on any specific type of cancer.

Original article published by The New York Times. The article in its entirety can be found here.

Dr. Poss is not only a sleep diplomat, but runs one of the leading practices for sleep apnea treatment. If you suspect that you suffer from a sleep disorder, or think that someone you know may suffer, please call to setup a consultation today.

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May 19, 2012

Sleep Apnea Treatments: Relief With Every Breath

Filed under: Sleep Apnea — bdavis @ 5:38 pm

Sleep apnea is the name given to a common sleep disorder that interferes with restful sleep. During sleep, people who suffer from this condition experience periods of interrupted breathing episodes, where normal breathing ceases for brief periods. Patients with the disorder wake up feeling tired after a full night’s rest, and they usually snore while they sleep. When left untreated, the condition can have adverse effects on overall patient’s quality of life and health.

Patients suffering with the disorder report feeling very tired during the day, having trouble concentrating and even falling asleep at improper times, which causes great embarrassment. Aside from reduced life quality, as time progresses, the constant lapses in breathing begin to affect the heart, which can cause irregular heartbeats, strokes and hypertension. Additionally, the condition predisposes the body to other disorders, including diabetes, among others.

Fortunately, patients struggling with the effects of this sleep disorder have a variety of treatments at their disposal so they can finally get relief. Some people accept and endure the symptoms for many years before seeking help. However, it is never too early to take preventive action so that patients can experience true restful sleep and begin to enjoy life to their full ability.

Some of the treatments available for this sleep condition include a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is a device where patients wear a mask connected to a machine that pushes air through the mask to keep airways open and prevent obstructions and snoring. However, many people find this device uncomfortable, so they may want to consider other alternatives. While surgery is an option for some patients, lots of people find the much-needed relief through uncomplicated dental appliances which simply reposition the jaw and bring it forward. In doing so, these dental devices open up the throat and relieve snoring and airway obstruction. Dental appliances are available through specialized dentists, who are highly trained to ensure the right fit for each patient.

After seeking treatment, patients begin to feel renewed, rested, re-energized and alert during the day. Patients realize how needlessly they suffered with that constant feeling of lack of energy. Nothing compares to the feeling of waking up rested and ready to tackle the day. For those suffering from sleep apnea, a restful feeling may be a foreign concept, but after treatment, life is better, and the only regret will be not having sought relief earlier in life.

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May 14, 2012

Protecting Your Kids Teeth During Sports

Filed under: Dentist,Oral Health — bdavis @ 5:34 pm

Nashville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Stephen Poss Discusses Protecting Teeth During Sports

If you have kids who play sports, chances are you have been concerned about making sure that their teeth are protected, especially if they are in a sport that involves physical contact. After all, in many sports, there is the risk of collision with other players, a ball, obstacles on the field such as goals or fences and, of course, injury due to falling. Sports offer children a wonderful opportunity to get the exercise they need, learn about working together as a team and simply enjoying the competition of a well played game; however, there is always a risk of injury, regardless of what type of sport they engage in. These injuries can easily lead to a tooth being chipped or damaged or even knocked out entirely. Fortunately, there are mouth guards and other types of safety equipment that can be purchased to help protect a child’s mouth during various sports activities.

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that over three million teeth, in 2012 alone, will be accidentally knocked out in the course of some sporting event. This is just in the United States. Obviously, children’s teeth are in potential danger of being damaged, loosened or knocked out whenever they are engaged in a sporting activity and providing protection for their mouth is crucial. Of course, this does not mean that your child should not play sports; it simply means that precautions should be taken to ensure that their teeth are adequately protected during play.

A mouth guard can go a long way in protecting your child’s teeth and should be considered an essential part of their uniform and equipment. Many dentists are able to make a custom fitted mouth guard out of soft plastic and designed to comfortably fit your child’s mouth. This is an excellent way to protect their teeth and avoid unnecessary damage. Your child might not like to wear their mouth guard at first, but with consistent encouragement, they will soon come to regard it as being an important part of their regular safety gear.

Other important safety equipment that can help protect your child’s teeth can include items such as helmets, face masks and face protectors. Of course, no amount of safety equipment can protect your child from every possibility of injury, but taking preventative measures to protect their teeth is an important way to reduce serious accidents and unnecessary tooth damage.

Dr. Stephen Poss specializes in cosmetic dentistry in Nashville, but touts good oral health and oral safety practices for all ages.

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May 7, 2012

The Most Beautiful You with a Beautiful Smile

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry — bdavis @ 7:40 pm

A beautiful smile can show happiness and warmth. It can also express welcoming to another person. Perhaps it can prove that a person has good health. This is why many people choose to undergo a smile makeover to enhance their appearance. Some people choose to have a cosmetic or restorative dental procedure to have gorgeous teeth and a youthful smile because a smile can light up others that surround you.

People value the importance of having a great smile so they are always seeking ways to improve it. High profile personalities may choose a smile makeover to enhance their looks. Even working and middle- aged people decide to undergo this treatment for a more youthful appearance. The purpose is to have a pleasing personality and this also makes them feel good about themselves.

You can witness the difference before and after you undergo a smile makeover. There is truly a change in appearance. If your previous appearance showed a poor self-image and dental concerns then your new appearance will show happiness, success, and intelligence.

People want to build lasting impressions through their smile. That is why many people consult a cosmetic dentist who is well-recommended. Before you decide to have a smile makeover, it is important to know if the dentist is capable of creating a great smile design. Only dentists with artistic hands are capable of designing good-looking teeth.

If you have chosen to undergo cosmetic dentistry treatment, a dentist can discuss with you about what you need and how much time the procedure will take. Generally, a smile makeover will take you as little as two visits to finish. You can then walk away from the clinic with a fantastic smile.

If your teeth are uneven or crooked, this can be addressed with porcelain veneers or dental crowns. There is also a solution for discolored teeth. Once you undergo treatment, your teeth will look so natural that you can definitely show your beautiful smile.

When you visit a dentist for a smile makeover, necessary treatments will be shown to you so that you achieve your goals. A dentist may improve the looks of your teeth through tooth whitening or porcelain veneers. Other clients may prefer dental implants or porcelain tooth crowns. There are several options to choose from if you want to have a smile makeover.

You can check out prices that dentists provide for cosmetic dentistry procedures. Usually they provide reasonable fees for these services. They definitely suit people from all walks of life. Many dentists provide affordable financing as well.

Not all people are born with a beautiful smile yet everyone has an opportunity to create one. If you want to project confidence when you smile, perhaps you may need a smile makeover. A fantastic smile is one of the best ways to entice people with your great appearance.

Visit Dr. Stephen Poss, for a smile makeover from one of the most trusted Nashville Cosmetic Dentists.

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1646 Westgate Circle | Suite 100 Brentwood, TN 37027

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