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You find yourself drowsy and irritable all day. Or you have trouble sleeping, and when you do, you snore loudly throughout the night punctuated with silent pauses where you aren’t breathing at all. Or your loved ones tell you that you’ve been keeping them awake with your snoring or frightening them awake when you gasp for breath. Whatever symptom may have brought you to the doctor, you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and now it’s time to get this sleep disorder under control.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat relaxes, partially blocking the airway, or structural problems in the mouth and throat (such as enlarged tonsils or tongue) obstruct air flow. The tissue around the air passage vibrates with every breath causing those annoying snoring sounds. More dangerous, an obstructed airway means that there is not enough oxygen getting into the lungs. The struggle to breathe wakes us, interrupting the deep sleep we need to function. Untreated, the results of sleep apnea can range from drowsiness and irritability to a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Luckily, there are several approaches to combatting this form of sleep apnea, including life style changes, surgery or breathing machines, and orthodontic appliances.

• Lifestyle Changes

Sleep apnea is more likely to affect those who are overweight, smoke, use alcohol, take certain medications, or sleep on their backs. If you can make changes in your lifestyle that will restore the quality of your sleep, this is a great first option.

• Surgery or Breathing Machines

Sometimes obstruction of the airway is caused by structural problems in the throat or mouth. Tissue can be reshaped or removed during surgery to widen and stabilize the breathing passage. Or you might be prescribed a machine such as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which blows pressurized air through a tube and mask to keep the airway open during sleep.

• Oral Appliances

Dr. Meuselbach can also be an important resource if you struggle with obstructive sleep apnea. Many people suffering from this disorder prefer an oral appliance for its effectiveness, comfort, and convenience. One common oral sleep appliance is designed to support your lower jaw in a forward position. This jaw movement increases the open space of your airway as you sleep. Other appliances can prevent the tongue from blocking the airway and obstructing air flow. These appliances resemble mouthguards and retainers, and, like them, are custom made just for you. We will recommend the type of appliance best suited to your needs, and will take a model of your mouth and teeth so that a lab can craft an appliance that will be a perfect fit. We will adjust it for comfort if necessary, instruct you on its use and care, and schedule follow up treatment to make sure the appliance is treating your sleep apnea as efficiently as possible.

Whether you opt for a change of lifestyle habits, a CPAP machine, surgery, or an oral appliance, it is important that you treat this sleeping disorder. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can have many serious consequences. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, talk to us during your next visit at our West Chester office. You deserve a good—and healthy—night’s sleep.

One of the most common clues that you might have anemia is found in your smile. If you’ve noticed that your gums are suddenly paler than they used to be, it could be a sign that you’re anemic. What does this mean for your general health—and your oral health?

There are several types of anemia, which have can be caused by different medical conditions and which can cause different symptoms. The most common form of anemia, and one of the most easily treated, is iron-deficiency anemia.

Iron is essential to our health. Why? It’s all about the red blood cells. First, some biology.

Every cell in your body needs energy to live and to function. Cells get this energy from the foods we eat, which are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose molecules are transported by our blood cells to reach all parts of the body. But that’s only the first step.

Energy is released into the cells when the chemical bonds holding glucose molecules together are broken. And this requires oxygen. Once inside our cells, glucose and oxygen react, breaking the chemical bonds of the glucose molecules, reconfiguring their atoms to create carbon dioxide and water byproducts—and releasing energy into a form your cells can use.

So, how do we move this oxygen from our lungs to our cells to start the process? That would be our red blood cells again. But this process can’t happen without adequate iron. More biology!

Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, and hemoglobin contains iron. In fact, well over half of the iron in our body is found in our red bloods cells. And here’s the key to iron’s importance: iron attracts oxygen molecules.

Hemoglobin picks up oxygen in our lungs and delivers it throughout the body, where it becomes glucose’s essential partner in fueling our cells. Without enough iron, your body won’t be able to create the red blood cells it needs so that all of your cells, tissues, and organs can get the oxygen they need to function efficiently.

When might you suspect that you’re anemic? Your gums, the lining of the mouth, the inside of your lower eyelids, and your skin can take on a paler hue—the classic sign of anemia. But other symptoms which you might not necessarily associate with anemia are also common, including:

• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Pica (the desire to eat non-food items)

And because anemia affects the whole body, your oral health isn’t immune. It’s not just a matter of pale gums. Iron deficiencies can cause:

• Sores and ulcers in the mouth
• Cracks on the sides of the mouth
• Pain, redness, and/or swelling of the tongue
• Loss of papillae (those little bumps on your tongue which hold your taste buds)
• Tooth damage caused by pica
• Dry mouth, which increases your risk for cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and bad breath

Iron-deficiency anemia can have several causes, among them insufficient iron in the diet, medical conditions which cause bleeding (such as ulcers), heavy menstruation, pregnancy, or growth spurts in children and teenagers. Treatment will depend on the cause of your anemia. It might be as simple as a change in diet or an iron supplement, or it might require further treatment options. Do consult with Dr. Meuselbach before taking iron supplements, as too much iron causes iron toxicity, which can be very dangerous.

If Dr. Meuselbach and our team suggest that you might be anemic, or if you notice changes you think might be caused by anemia, see your physician for a simple blood test. Besides iron-deficiency anemia, there are other forms of anemia and other diseases which can mimic these symptoms, so it’s important to get a doctor’s diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed with anemia, let our West Chester dental team know.

One last “if”: If you do have iron-deficiency anemia, don’t delay treatment. The sooner your red bloods cells are back at their peak, the sooner you—and your gums—will be back in the pink!

One of the most important parts of staying healthy as we grow older is being open to learning new ways of staying healthy! While worrying about braces or wisdom teeth might be a thing of the past, there are new dental concerns that come with mature years. Taking care of our gums is one way to maintain not only our dental health, but to look out for our overall health as well.

• Periodontal disease is preventable for older adults

While gum disease is all-too-common among older adults, it isn’t really a result of the aging process itself. If you have been keeping a regular schedule of brushing and flossing (two minutes twice a day), and have been making routine visits to our office for exams and cleaning, you probably have avoided gum disease. But if you have been neglecting your dental care, gingivitis and periodontitis are conditions that only become more serious over time.

The first symptoms of gingivitis include puffy, swollen gums that may bleed easily. Persistent bad breath and changes in the bite or the fit of dentures are also indications of gum disease. As gum disease progresses it leads to periodontitis. The gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets of tissue where plaque can collect and infections can develop. Infection, left untreated, can lead to loose teeth and even bone and tooth loss.

The good news? It is never too late to treat gum disease. Most gingivitis is reversible, and modern periodontal treatment makes use of deep cleaning, antibiotics, and even gum surgery to restore gum health. Don’t let past neglect lead to future tooth loss. We are happy to see you any time to treat your gums and teeth and to let you know ways to protect them for a happy, healthy future.

What new concerns do we face as we age?

• Our gums recede.

This natural recession can lead to the exposure of the root areas of the teeth, which are more vulnerable to cavities. It’s very important to keep up with brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups to catch potential small problems before they become big ones.

• Old fillings and dental work can break down.

Call our West Chester office any time you notice a problem with a filling, and keep up with exams, where we can pinpoint fillings that need replacement and detect cavities that can develop near the edges of old work.

• Medications can cause side effects that affect our gums.

Some medications cause the growth of puffy gum tissue. Some can cause dry mouth, which can lead to gum disease. Always let us know about any health conditions you have or medications you may be taking. We can suggest a number of options to reduce or eliminate effects on your mouth and gums.

• Gum health and our overall health—what’s the connection?

While no one has discovered an absolute relationship between gum disease and other health problems, there is growing evidence that higher rates of diabetes complications, heart disease, and stroke are linked to higher levels of gum disease. Make your medical and dental health a priority.

• Smoking risks increase with age.

Studies have shown smokers have not only a greater risk of gum disease, but more severe gum disease as well. Your risk of developing oral cancer also increases with every year you smoke. It is never too late to quit! Talk to us about suggestions for breaking the habit once and for all, and be sure to keep up with regular checkups for early detection and treatment of any oral diseases caused by smoking.

Please let us know any changes that have taken place in your dental habits, medical condition, or medications. Talk to us about any periodontal concerns you may have, or the latest dental procedures we offer for gum care and treatment. We can let you know about products that can make brushing and flossing easier as you age.

It’s never too late or too early to think about taking care of yourself. We are happy to offer suggestions for maintaining or restoring your dental health that will serve you well in any chapter of your life.

One of the most appealing reasons to choose dental implants over options such as bridges, partial dentures, and complete dentures is the fact that they function like natural teeth. 

Unlike bridges and dentures, which sit above the gumline, implants are embedded in the jawbone, designed to look like and to work like a natural tooth:

• A cylinder or screw, usually made of bio-compatible titanium, is surgically implanted into the jawbone. After several months, the implant fuses with the bone, a process called “osseointegration.” 
• An abutment is secured inside the implanted piece. This abutment extends above the gumline and serves to connect the implant to a crown. 
• A dental implant crown customized to match surrounding teeth in shape and appearance is securely attached to the abutment.

The result is a tooth that looks and functions just like a natural tooth, with a secure implant acting as a root below the gumline attached to a realistic-looking crown above it. What does this unique design mean for you?

• Implants Are Secure

Because implants are rooted in your jaw, there is no need to worry about loose dental work or difficulties with pronunciation or eating. Dentures stay in place using a mild adhesive or suction, which attaches them to the gum ridge. Bridges are anchored to teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth. Implants, on the other hand, are anchored in the jawbone. The post of the implant fuses with the bone in your jaw, functioning just like the root of a natural tooth. 

Implants often are used to replace a single tooth, but if you have lost several teeth, you also have options. Implants are an effective way to hold bridges and dentures in place securely. Several posts are implanted in strategic locations. Once the posts have fused with the jawbone, the bridge or denture is secured to the posts. These appliances can be fixed in place or removable for easy cleaning. 

• Implants Maintain Bone Health

When you choose an implant, you are choosing an option which protects your natural bone health and facial appearance. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it can shrink over time. This process is called “resorption.” Bone loss can alter facial appearance, especially around the lips, cheeks, and profile. 

Why do we lose bone? The bone in our jaws stays healthy because the stimulation of chewing and biting encourages new bone cell production around the root. Without that stimulation, the jawbone doesn’t replace old bone cells as effectively, and gradually shrinks, even with a bridge or denture. Implants, on the other hand, provide the same stimulation to the bone that natural teeth and roots do, and bone cells regenerate just like they do with natural teeth.

• Implants Don’t Affect Surrounding Teeth

When you choose a fixed bridge to replace a missing tooth or teeth, the neighboring teeth must be shaped to hold the bridge attachment. This is done by removing some healthy tooth structure from each neighboring tooth. Retainer crowns are then placed on these teeth to hold the pontic, or replacement teeth, in position. 

Implants don’t require crowns or other anchoring mechanisms on surrounding teeth. What’s more, implants benefit the teeth around them by helping to preserve the shape and strength of the jawbone holding them in place. 

• Implants Last

Dentures and bridges can be a more cost-effective option initially, but they will need to be replaced every 5-10 years. Implants are the longest lasting tooth replacement. Many implants will last a lifetime. 

How to make sure your implant is successful? Look after your dental hygiene to prevent gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. If you grind your teeth, talk to Dr. Meuselbach about a nightguard. Wear a mouthguard when you play sports. Avoid biting into hard foods like ice and hard candies. Don’t smoke. In other words, protect your implants just like you protect your organic teeth.

• Implants Look Natural

For many of us, the realistic appearance of dental implants is the deciding factor. 

Dental implants are designed to look just like your natural teeth. The crown which sits atop the implant post is carefully fabricated to match the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth. You can eat, speak, and smile confidently once again.

If you’re considering tooth replacement, talk to the team at Robert Scott Meuselbach DDS in West Chester about which options are best for you. You might discover that a dental implant is the natural choice!