Snoring could be a bigger problem than you think!
This year the American Dental Association (ADA) released a policy statement addressing dentistry's role in sleep related breathing disorders. The policy encourages dental professionals to screen their patients for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and other breathing disorders. Sleep breathing or airway disorders can range from snoring, clenching, or grinding of teeth, mouth breathing, to life threatening apnea or a combination of all of the above.
An estimated 52 million Americans have some form of sleep disordered breathing, with 1 in 5 have mild apnea and 1 in 15 having moderate or severe apnea. OSA is the most common non-communicable disease in the western world with over 200 million apneics and approximately 20 million new cases every year. However of most concern is the fact that about 80% of people with OSA are not diagnosed. This is important because untreated OSA is known to be linked to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. New studies are showing a possible link of OSA with dementia and Alzheimers. Untreated OSA has been known to take 5-7 years off one's life expectancy. OSA has been linked to the deaths of NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White, as well as former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
With this in mind, at your next continuing care or "check-up" appointment we will do an airway screening in addition to the assessment of your teeth, gums, jaw, facial muscles, and oral cancer screening. As a dentist, I can only screen for OSA. If it is suspected that you may have some form of related breathing issue, you will be asked to fill out a short airway questionnaire and we will refer you to your primary care physician where the physician will determine if a sleep test will be needed.
There are many treatment options ranging from CPAP devices, oral appliance therapy and mouth guards, positional therapy, surgery, or a combination of these.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call our office at 318-325-5764. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.
Yours in better health,
Dr. Robert E. Spatafora & Staff
Ever wonder how dark colored food and beverages can cause your teeth to stain and discolor? They're high in chromogens, which are pigment-producing substances that can stick to tooth enamel. | drspatafora.com
Almost 40% of dental injuries are sports-related. To play it smile-safe, speak to your dentist about the best mouthguard to protect your smile. | drspatafora.com
An oral cancer screening can save your life. According to the American Cancer Society more than 50,000 adults across the country will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.
At the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS, we create smiles that are as beautiful as they are healthy. In addition to a range of services to keep your smile in tip-top health, we also offer leading edge cosmetic solutions to transform less-than-perfect looking teeth into ones that dazzle. | drspatafora.com
Smile, it's good for you! Scientists have found that the simple act of smiling stimulates the brain's emotional processing pathway to feel happier. | drspatafora.com
Which comes first, brushing or flossing? According to the American Dental Association, it doesn't matter as long as you do it every day. | drspatafora.com
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS is here for you! We offer a comprehensive range of advanced services to address a broad spectrum of urgent dental needs | drspatafora.com
COVID-19 Rate Among Dentist Less Than 1%
The ADA News reports that an ADA Science and Research Institute (ADASRI) and Health Institute study found "fewer than 1% of dentist nationwide" were estimated to have a confirmed or probable COVID-19 infection. "This is very good news for dentists and patients. This means that what dentists are doing - heightened infection control and increased attention to patient and dental team safety - is working."
NBC (10/15) news reports that the researches conducted a nationwide survey June 8 with responses from more than 2,000 dentists across the country, find 0.9% had either confirmed or probable cases of COVID_19. The survey also found that 99.7% dentists were using what was referred to as "enhanced infection control procedures."
Healthline (10/15) reports "The fact that dentists was named one of the most at-risk profession for infection, but so far has a far lower prevalence of infection compared to other health professions is not a coincidence." The profession has taken this issue extremely seriously and it shows. Bases on the results of this report Patients should have a high level of confidence in returning to the dentist. It shows dentists are demonstrating concern for their patients and using appropriate PPE. Dentist already do a lot of things to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The dentist is already wearing a mask, already wearing eye gear, gloves, all those things, so his risk of him giving something to you would be very low. If there is a risk of transmission, the person most at risk would be the dentist - not the patient. Dentist are experts in infection control and have been using universal precautions since the mid-80s and the HIV/AIDS epidemic."
Besides all the infection control procedures our office has been doing for years we have implemented some "enhanced" procedures because of COVID. These include but not limited to checking staff and patient temperatures, pre-rinsing all patients, screening patients for COVID-19, encouraging distance between patients by limiting numbers in reception area, providing face masks to staff and patients, disinfecting any equipment and hard surfaces that may be touched through out the office, state of the art waterline treatment protocol, and fogging the office with virus killing sodium hypochlorous acid.
Good dental care and regular check-ups are "essential" to good health. Putting off dental treatment will have negative effect over time on ones overall health and is potentially more damaging long term than a viral infection. If you have any questions about the safety of visiting our office, please don't hesitate to call. As always we'll be here for you!
Sincerely,
Robert Spatafora and Staff
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants improves your oral health, confidence and appearance. At the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS, we provide personalized solutions to address all your dental healthcare needs. Give us a call today! | drspatafora.com
It may not be the garlic! Approximately 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath have an underlying dental problem. | drspatafora.com
If you or a member of your household is suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS can help. We provide the skilled and experienced care required for a more restful and restorative night's sleep. | drspatafora.com
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Dr. Robert E. Spatafora
According to researchers, taking care of your smile supports longevity. Seniors with 20 or more natural teeth at the age of 70 demonstrate a higher life expectancy. | drspatafora.com
Dr. Robert Spatafora, DDS updated their info in the about section.
Never stop having a goal to achieve!
Dr. Spatafora is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), and has now achieved Diplomate status within the organization.
AADSM is the leading national organization for dentists who treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, an effective alternative treatment to the standard CPAP machine.
Dr. Spatafora is committed to using his knowledge of dental sleep medicine to help treat his patient's snoring and sleep apnea and provide Northeast Louisiana residents with a better night's rest.
While the world's oldest recipe for toothpaste dates back to 400 AD, the first commercially prepared toothpaste arrived on the scene in 1873. | drspatafora.com
Have a toothache? Contact the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS for the skilled and experienced care you need to get your oral health back on track. | drspatafora.com
Transforming your smile can impact both your life and your outlook. Considering the array of cosmetic concerns that dental veneers are able to address, it is no wonder they have become such a popular option in care. | drspatafora.com
Whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or multiple ones, with dental implants, you can once again feel confident sharing your smile with the world! | drspatafora.com
What's the most recognizable expression? It's your smile of course. A smile can be noticed from up to 300 ft away. | drspatafora.com
Over the course of a lifetime, the average person spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth. | drspatafora.com
Why are more and more people getting dental implants? For starters, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile. | drspatafora.com
What's in a name? Third molars are referred to as wisdom teeth because their eruption often coincides with our transition from teen years into adulthood, a time of life known as the "Age of Wisdom". | drspatafora.com
As your trusted partner in care, the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS provides the highest quality of treatment while maintaining the strictest protocols and practices for infection control and sterilization. | drspatafora.com
Next time you reach for a can of soda or a sports drink, pick up a glass of water instead. According to statistics, people who drink 3 or more glasses of soda per day have 62% more cavities and incidence of tooth loss. | drspatafora.com
With proper emergency action, a tooth that has been knocked out can often be saved! | drspatafora.com
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-01-02/health-tip-knocked-out-teeth
"The study of more than 500 patients with Covid-19 found that those with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care, 4.5 times more likely to need ventilator, and almost 9 times more likely to die compared to those without gum disease.
Also, blood markers indicating inflammation in the body were significantly higher in Covid-19 patients who had gum disease compared to those who did not, suggesting that inflammation may explain the raised complication rates.
'The results of the study suggest that the inflammation in the oral cavity may open the door to the coronavirus becoming more violent," said Lior Shapira, president-elect of the European Federation of Periodontology. 'Oral care should be part of the health recommendations to reduce the risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes.'
Periodontitis affects up to half of all adults worldwide. It causes inflammation of the gums, and, if left untreated, inflammation can spread throughout the body. Covid-19 is associated with an inflammatory response that may be fatal."
https://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/item/7756-gum-disease-linked-to-covid-19-complications
DENTISTRYTODAY.COM
Gum Disease Linked to COVID-19 Complications
Our office will be closed tomorrow, Monday Feb 15th, due to the winter storm!
We will keep an eye on the weather and update about Tuesday.
Stay safe and warm!
Fashion trends may come and go, but one thing remains the same. An attractive smile is the prettiest thing you can wear. | drspatafora.com
With today's advances in care, the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS can transform a less than perfect smile into a healthy and beautiful one. | drspatafora.com
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 4 (27%) adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay. | drspatafora.com
"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." -Phyllis Diller. | drspatafora.com
By practicing good oral hygiene, following a diet low in sugary sweets, and avoiding harmful oral habits, you can significantly reduce your risk of dental problems that require emergency care. | drspatafora.com
At the office of Robert E. Spatafora, DDS, we help patients affected by sleep disorders get a more restful and restorative night's sleep. We customize every plan to help ensure a better night's rest and support overall well being. | drspatafora.com
