Happy "Tooth"thousand fourteen!

At Cooley Smiles, we're ringing in the New Year in style. We invite you to come by our offices and see the difference that our patients are talking about! From comprehensive family dental care, to complex cosmetic makeovers and sleep apnea therapies, the Bellevue dental team at Cooley Smiles offers only the best.

As you pin up your list of New Year's Resolutions, don't forget about your oral care! Is there a procedure you've needed but have been putting off? Or perhaps you've always wanted to fix the space between your front teeth but hadn't gotten around to scheduling a consultation. Many of our patients are surprised to learn how affordable cosmetic dentistry is, and appreciate the financial plans that we offer to help their dental needs and desires fit their budget.

It's not too late to call and schedule your next appointment - we're available to help you! Call us today at (425) 998-6938, or visit our website at www.cooleysmiles.com to learn more!

Flossing = Better Health!

Flossing = Better Health!

Our Bellevue Dentists, Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley recommend that you floss your teeth at least once per day. Whether you choose to make this a part of your morning or evening routine is up to you; it is how you floss that is important.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is the only way to get the debris that settles between your teeth as well as any bacteria. If food is left to settle, it turns into plaque and is a job that only your dentist can handle. Even extreme amounts of brushing your teeth will not effectively get rid of all of the debris between your teeth, which is why flossing is so important.

Choose Your Favorites

There is no hard and fast rule about the type of floss that you must use; whatever feels good to you is what you will be the most likely to use on a daily basis. You can choose between waxed and unwaxed floss and various interdental cleaners to get in between your teeth. The interdental cleaners can be brushes or sticks that easily get between your teeth.

The best products to purchase are those that have the ADA seal on them. These products tend to be safer to use in your mouth as well as the most effective at removing debris, bacteria and plaque. Each product will have a reason for the ADA seal, which will help you decide which product you are most comfortable using with your daily brushing and flossing routine. 

To learn more about your dental health and the types of family and cosmetic dental services that we offer at Cooley Smiles, please visit our website at www.cooley-smiles.com.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. There are many common dental emergencies and learning how to deal with them is important. For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Most dentists, like Drs Aaron and Brandon Cooley at Cooley Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit your local emergency room, but be sure to keep excellent notes so that the dentist the ER refers you to can appropriately bill your insurance.

At Cooley Smiles, serving patients in Bellevue, WA and the surrounding areas, we always reserve time for emergency patients and welcome your call. Remember that the best prevention against a dental emergency is having a regular dental home that you seek preventive care with. A little bit of prevention can go a long way! Contact us today to learn more about the services our dentists provide to the Bellevue, WA and Seattle, WA community.

To learn more about what to do in case of an emergency, visit mouthhealthy.org.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

We've shared several articles on our blog regarding sleep apnea; the treatments, and the dangers. We even hear about sleep apnea on the news and in commercials. But what is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which insufficient air reaches the lungs during sleep. In most cases, sleep apnea results because a person’s tongue is blocking the flow of air. This can cause blood oxygen levels to drop, causing sufferers to snort or choke awake. Sleep apnea can interrupt daily life by causing excessive daytime sleepiness, and it can also cause cardiovascular problems, so ask your dentist to prescribe an oral appliance if you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea.

• Keeps Your Airway Open

Most sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their backs. In this position, the tongue rests on the back of the throat, restricting air flow. An oral appliance, which is similar to a night guard, keeps the tongue from relaxing and blocking the flow of oxygen. 

• Provides a Cost-Effective Solution

There are a variety of oral surgeries available that can help resolve sleep apnea. However, you can easily avoid undergoing costly oral surgery while still getting relief by using an oral appliance. This affordable device can halt snoring, poor sleep quality, and other sleep apnea symptoms.

• Prevents Sleep Interruptions

Sleep apnea can lead to major health side effects, such as heart problems, depression, and memory loss. Sleep apnea sufferers easily tire, have a hard time focusing on work or school, and often feel irritable. Using an oral appliance while you sleep can ensure that you get a full night’s rest so that you can have easier, happier days. You’ll stop tossing and turning, waking up your partner, and constantly feeling exhausted.

If you’re tired of living with sleep apnea, contact Cooleysmiles today. We can provide the oral appliances needed to help you get a better night’s sleep. Our doctors also offer dental treatments and services for the whole family, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. To learn more, call us at (425) 747-7000.

Carb Craving Linked to Sleep Apnea

At Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we believe in offering our patients the very best and latest in information for their overall health. In June we shared information via our sleep apnea newsletter about a recent study that has linked sleep apnea with an increase in carbohydrate craving. Unsure whether sleep apnea is affecting your life? We can help - so call us today!

June 13, 2012 in Sleep apnea

Researchers in New Jersey are encouraging primary care physicians to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. They found that in a small sample of clinic patients, the risk for sleep apnea was high among diabetics compared with non-diabetics, and that sleep apnea appeared to be associated with carbohydrate craving.

Their study, being presented today at SLEEP 2012, screened 55 patients for diabetes, OSA and carbohydrate cravings. More than half of the patients were diabetic. Among the diabetic patients, the prevalence of OSA was 82 percent, and diabetics had almost double the risk of carbohydrate craving than non-diabetics. In addition, researchers found that patients with OSA were almost twice more likely to have carbohydrate craving than patients without sleep apnea.

"This study provides an indication of the magnitude of the associated risk between sleep apnea and self-reported carbohydrate craving in the diabetic population," said study co-investigator Mahmood Siddique, DO, clinical associate professor of medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J.

"Previous studies have shown that sleep deprivation may lead to changes in hormones that regulate appetite and hunger," Siddique said. "These hormonal changes can lead to significant craving for high-calorie carbohydrates such as cookies, candy, breads, rice and potatoes. The current study supports previous findings by validating this in a community sample of diabetics."

The study, conducted by the Sleep and Wellness Medical Associates LLC, is one of the first cross-sectional clinic-based studies to show an association between OSA and self-reported carbohydrate craving among patients with Type 2 diabetes.

 

To read more on this study, visit http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-apnea-linked-carbohydrate-craving-diabetics.html.

Sleep Dentistry - Anxiety Free Dental Treatment

It is estimated that 15% of Americans suffer from dental phobias. Unfortunately, these dental phobias can not only keep you from receiving the general dental care necessary to keep your mouth clean and healthy, but the cosmetic dental procedures you desire to give you the smile of your dreams.

Bellevue, WA sedation dentists Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley understand how frightening a visit to the dentist can be. Starting with a comforting and inviting office, we strive to make your entire dental experience anxiety-free and pleasant. For patients who cannot overcome their dental phobias, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry employs a variety of techniques to place you in a more relaxed state while you receive your dental treatments. At Cooley Smiles, we offer several types of sedation to match your unique individual needs. In this way, proper dental care and advanced cosmetic procedures can be made available to everyone.

Types of Sedation
Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon offer the following types of sedation:

•	Nitrous Oxide Sedation – Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of sedation. It allows you to be comfortable and relaxed while remaining responsive. Our dentists generally choose this form of mild sedation for patients who do not suffer from severe dental phobias.
•	Oral sedation – Oral sedation is a popular choice for patients with moderate to severe dental phobias. With this method, you will be given a pill to take about an hour prior to your procedure. Once the medication is completely in your system, you will feel complete relaxation, and you may even fall asleep.

Our compassionate dentists will work closely with you to ensure the method and dosage most suited to your needs is chosen. We strongly believe that everyone deserves proper dental care and a chance at achieving the smile they have always desired. Please contact us if you have questions about how sedation dentistry can help you!

Sleep and Your Mental Health

Sleeping for Sanity

 Source: Summarized from an article by By Morgan Jones

At Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we take pride in staying on the cutting age of treatments, including those for sleep apnea. Recent studies have shown that many Americans are finding it harder and harder to get a decent amount of sleep. Why? Studies have pointed to physical issues,  (obstructive sleep apnea), and mental health issues, (stress and depression).

It's been proven that losing weight can greatly improve symptoms of sleep apnea. But what about treating mental health issues? In a question similar to the "chicken versus the egg" conundrum, could sleep problems traditionally thought to be symptoms of mental disorders actually be the cause of the mental disorders? Could treating sleep disorders help heal mental health problems?

Sleep Basics

It’s obvious that our bodies and minds want and need sleep, but what exactly is happening when we start snoozing? According to the Harvard Medical School, there are two main categories of sleep, each with its own important functions.

During rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, heart rate and breathing return to levels comparable to those seen when awake. At the same time, our bodies become paralyzed, ensuring that we don’t act out our dreams. This period of dreaming has been shown to contribute to emotional well-being, memory and learning ability, though the manner of connection is not yet entirely understood.When in “quiet,” or non-REM sleep cycles, heart rate and body temperature decrease and breathing slows and becomes regular. In this stage the immune system is bolstered and strengthened.

Sleeping builds our immune system and can even contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite.”Furthermore, it seems that the disruption of sleep affects stress hormones and neurotransmitters, interrupting one’s ability to think, process information, and regulate their emotions. It is because of this mechanism of sleep that, according to Harvard Medical School, “insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa.”Harvard Medical School reports that while 10-18% of American adults overall are affected by chronic sleep issues, anywhere from 50-80% of patients in an average psychiatric practice are plagued with these problems.

The Sleep-Mental Health Connection

It has traditionally been the assumption that insomnia and other sleep problems were simply symptoms of the psychiatric issues that these patients with sleep issues were already being treated for.

“The medical profession is becoming more aware of the correlation between sleep and emotional disorders,” said William Kohler, M.D., Medical Director of the Florida Sleep Institute, in an interview with dailyRx. Some research has now shown that sleep issues might increase the likelihood of mental health problems. Harvard Medical school reports that it might even be the case that sleep problems “might even directly contribute to the development of some psychiatric disorders.”

For more information on how sleep apnea can affect your health, and to learn whether an oral appliance may help you manage your sleep apnea, visit our website.

http://www.dailyrx.com/feature-article/sleep-and-
mental-health-connected-various-levels-19402.html

5 Tips for Choosing A Dentist

There are many dentists to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to try and find an experienced, professional dentist by looking through the phone book or browsing the Internet. Here are 5 tips as you search for a new dental home.

• What are the range of services provided?  If you are looking at a general dentist, are they experienced in specialty services such as cosmetic dentistry, sedation or sleep dentistry, and all areas of restorative care? Be sure to review credentials and experience prior to your initial visit.

• Are new technologies embraced? Dentistry is an ever changing field, and many advances have been made over the last few decades. Digital radiographs (x-rays), the use of lasers in periodontal care, digitally enhanced placement of crowns (CEREC) and other technologies can help make your experience quick and comfortable.

• How easy is it to interact with the administrative staff? The front office staff will be your primary contact with the doctors and their dental team, so be sure they offer superior customer service.

• What are your scheduling options? Are you able to request appointments online and is the scheduling process efficient and respecting of your time?

• What amenities are offered? Many dental offices are beginning to offer more in the way of comfortable surroundings, including televisions, wireless internet, a water or coffee bar, and some offices even offer spa treatments during your dental service.

At Cooley Smiles, we are proud to offer our patients in Bellevue and Factoria a complete range of dental services. For over 35 years, our family owned and operated office has been providing superior quality general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. We use state of the art dental technology to make your visit quick and pain free, and we can assist you in achieving a smile that is healthy and beautiful.

For more information about Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon Cooley, please visit our website at www.cooleysmiles.com.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Death?

At Cooley Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we take a strong interest in the health of our patients that goes beyond oral care. One of the most common sleep disorders is sleep apnea. Some of the most common symptoms of this sleep related breathing disorder are fatigue, morning headache, weight gain, long neck circumference, bruxing, and snoring. For more information on sleep apnea and how it relates to dentistry, visit our website.

Millions of Americans suffer from what’s called maintenance insomnia, which leads them to wake frequently throughout the night. While this problem can be caused by a variety of factors, it’s sometimes stems from an underlying sleep disorder, such as OSA. While many consider this condition to be nothing but a troubling nuisance, more and more studies are suggesting that sleep apnea can cause death both directly and indirectly.

Sudden Death

OSA gained a lot of attention back in 2004, when Hall of Fame NFL football player, Reggie White died suddenly in his sleep at age 43. Although medical examiners ultimately attributed his death to cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis, they speculated that sleep apnea might have been partly to blame. Although rare, experts agree that it is possible for a sleep apneic to die in his or her sleep due to a lack of oxygen.

Long-term Health Risks

More and more studies suggest that OSA could ultimately kill sufferers by gradually damaging their health. This dangerous sleep disorder has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and dementia, all of which can affect mortality. Furthermore, a recent study suggests that sleep apneics are at a five times greater risk of developing cancer than those who do not suffer from the disorder.

By: Paul A. Achoa on July 4, 2012 - 1 800 Sleeptest Patient Newsletter

For more information about this article, please visit  http://kingofhowto.com/sleep-apnea-cause-death-5743

 

 

Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has long been considered a luxury for the wealthy, something only movie stars and entertainers can afford. At Cooley Smiles, we strongly believe that everyone deserves to have the smile of their dreams. In order to make this possible, we offer a variety of financing options to accommodate your needs.

We accept all major dental insurance carriers, and many of our family dentistry patients find that this helps keep the cost of their visits within their budget. However, most insurance plans will not cover cosmetic dentistry procedures. Therefore, we offer several other options so that you can receive the finest quality cosmetic treatments available.

Depending on your individual needs, we can help you apply for one of our two financing options. We will work with you from the time of diagnosis to treatment to ensure your comfort.

Please contact our Bellevue cosmetic dentists today to schedule your initial consultation at Cooley Smiles. Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley serve patients in and around Bellevue, WA.

Find us on Facebook!

Security in Your Smile

In your every interaction, your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Business meetings, casual conversations, and intimate encounters can all be made awkward and uncomfortable if you are not entirely secure with your smile. Aaron Cooley DDS and Brandon Cooley DDS offer a full range of cosmetic dentistry services to help improve your smile including:

• Teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Tooth bonding
• Gum recontouring
• Smile makeovers

We are able to treat any cosmetic imperfection you may have, giving you a seamless, brilliant, remarkable smile.

Our cosmetic dentistry services at Cooley Smiles often extend beyond the aesthetic to provide superior functionality as well. Procedures such as dental bridges and dental implants serve the dual purpose of restoring beauty to your smile while also providing strength and durability to your teeth, enabling actions such as eating and talking to be carried out smoothly. Our Bellevue cosmetic dentists have extensive training in the field of cosmetic dentistry, allowing us to ensure your results are not only stunning, but also improve the overall health of your smile.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry services in and around Bellevue, WA, please contact us today at (425) 749 - 3642.