Boise Dentist Blog
The professional blog of Doctors Dan Bruce, Steve Bruce, Rosa Pothier and Rob Ririe
Summer 2012 Newsletter
Happy 25th Anniversary Tammy!
We are excited to announce that this month marks the 25th year that Tammy has been working for Dr. Bruce. She is a valuable member of our team, and is much loved by her loyal patients. Tammy started working for Dr. Bruce in 1987 after she graduated from the dental hygiene program at Idaho State University. She said, "I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful place to work. I love and appreciate all my patients. It is very gratifying knowing that we strive to consistently provide the best quality care. That is what keeps me here."
Is It Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
About 80 million people in North America snore, and approximately 12 million Americans have sleep apnea. So what’s the difference, and why does it matter?
Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft palate and uvula, occurring when the airway becomes obstructed during sleep. Several things can obstruct the airway and cause you to snore, including allergies, drinking before bed, being overweight, and having large tonsils or a deviated septum.
If you only snore occasionally, you probably have nothing to worry about. But chronic snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a more serious sleep disorder. People with sleep apnea stop breathing in their sleep – sometimes up to 100 hundred times an hour. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your chances of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. At a minimum, you may feel groggy in the morning, fatigued or unable to concentrate during the day.
The good news is sleep apnea is treatable. The two most common ways to treat sleep apnea are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which is administered by a physician, and oral appliance therapy, which is administered by a dentist. CPAP therapy can be very effective for people with sleep apnea, but some find it difficult to sleep with a mask. More people are increasingly turning to the oral appliances administered by dentists. Oral appliances are small, flexible devices that look like mouthguards. They increase the airway space and reduce air velocity and soft tissue vibration (snoring) by moving the lower jaw into a forward position. Patients who have tried both say that oral appliances are more comfortable to wear, easier to care for and very cost-effective.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, or can't tolerate CPAP, call us to schedule a sleep consultation appointment! We are one of the few offices in the area that is trained in the management of obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliances. We are also able to bill your medical insurance, which makes the appliances much more affordable.
Win an IPad 2!
We appreciate our wonderful patients who continue to refer their co-workers, family, and friends to come see us. To say thank you, we have started a new referral program!
When you refer a family member or friend who comes in for an exam, x-rays, and cleaning, you will be entered in a drawing for an iPad 2 or a $500 offiice credit (your choice). The first drawing is at the end of July, so there is still time to get your
name in!