Oral Appliances Washington, DC

Are You Falling Asleep During the Day?

If you or someone you know falls asleep during the day, or snores loudly or has interrupted breathing while sleeping, it may be sleep apnea. The usual treatment for sleep apnea has been the bulky CPAP device. A patient is fitted with a machine that forces a continuous stream of air into the patient’s nose or mouth during sleep. However, many people find this uncomfortable and they can no longer wear the mask.

If you have sleep apnea and can’t use a CPAP machine, dentistry now has new sleep apnea dental treatment options such as oral appliances. These appliances are small acrylic devices that fit the upper and lower teeth much like an orthodontic retainer or mouthguard. They gently realign your tongue and jaw, which opens the airway and allows more air flow as you sleep. They are easy to wear and clean and are convenient for travel. These have worked well for over 90% of those who use them and are an excellent alternative to CPAP machines. If you snore or a physician has given you a sleep apnea diagnosis, give us a call today to learn more.

Concerned About Knocking Out a Tooth During Sports Activities?

Are you aware that 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly in the U.S.? Many sports can be dangerous without the proper protective equipment. The one-size-fits-all mouthguards seen in stores don’t fit well. Breathing can be difficult while running during sports with this type of mouthguard. But mouthguards that are custom-made by your mouthguards dentist, they fit nicely, protect well, and may be worn for any sport. The American Dental Association advises wearing customized mouthguards for the following sports: Basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, martial arts, racquetball, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, weight lifting, and wrestling.

Stop Grinding Away Your Teeth!

Bruxism is the technical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. This is known to cause headaches and jaw pain. It can also wear away the enamel on your teeth, making them shorter or uneven, and potentially causing cracks and chips. We can create a custom nightguard in our in-house lab that will help prevent all of these problems.