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 the LVI Difference?

When you are considering cosmetic dental procedures, you want to make sure your dentist has devoted time to his education. Equally important, you want to make sure that your dentist has received training from an institution that is internationally known for only accepting the best and brightest in the field of cosmetic dentistry. The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies LVI has long been considered the premier school for training in cosmetic dentistry. The dental institute is the largest and most respected post-graduate dentist education facility in the world. Throughout the years, LVI's intensive, thorough curriculum and high standards of quality have enabled their graduates to distinguish themselves as being among the most highly regarded cosmetic dentists in the field. Most dental schools do not provide training in advanced cosmetic dental procedures, necessitating an institute like LVI to ensure these procedures are given as much attention as general dental studies. Going beyond the simple procedures, LVI trains its graduates in helping patients achieve aesthetically beautiful results. Highly individualized treatment plans and using the most advanced technology available are some of the core tenets of the LVI philosophy. What this means for you... Seattle cosmetic dentists Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley have both completed their dental training at LVI. The difficult and demanding courses offered at LVI provided them with extensive knowledge of the latest trends and procedures available through cosmetic dentistry, and they have continued to take additional continuing education courses to ensure they remain on top of all the latest advances in the field. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Bellevue or Seattle, Washington, please contact the LVI trained dentists at Cooley Smiles today to schedule your initial consultation

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.

Ideal Solutions for Missing Teeth

When you are missing a tooth, the neighboring teeth may begin to shift in order to fill in the gap. You may also notice a loss of chewing ability as your mouth adjusts pressure, placing a heavy burden on the rest of your teeth. Missing teeth can impact your ability to speak clearly and may also cause your jaw to collapse, resulting in additional functional and aesthetic concerns.

Dental implants offer an ideal solution for missing teeth. Secured directly into your jaw, they work to prevent jaw collapse. Using the highest quality porcelain crowns, we are able to match the color, shape, and size of your false tooth exactly with the natural teeth in your mouth. In this way, functionality is restored and cosmetic imperfections are alleviated, leaving you with a seamless, beautiful smile.
Thanks to modern dental technology, the dental implant process today is safer, more efficient, and more reliable than ever. Dental implants have a 95% success rate, and the dental crown restorations used by our Bellevue and Seattle, WA implant dentists Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Since implants are bonded to your living bone – a process called osseointegration – they are also highly durable and functional, becoming a natural part of your smile.

It takes anywhere from 3-6 months for dental implants to anchor themselves to your jaw bone and heal. Once an implant is installed, the final crown restoration will be placed, and you can enjoy a new smile that not only looks and feels great, but protects your mouth from the many dental problems caused by missing teeth.

Are you ready to explore the benefits of dental implants? Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA is here to help you!

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