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Think of your absolute favorite food. Perhaps it’s a juicy hamburger, or a crunchy salad, or maybe you have a sweet tooth for Tootsie Rolls! Whatever it may be, you couldn’t imagine your life without it. And why should you have to, right? Unfortunately, a lot of people struggle with jaw pain that prevents them from eating their favorite foods.  What should you look for? As you’re eating, you may notice some discomfort. Most of the time, people overlook it as a sore tooth or a bite gone wrong. We tend to ignore these initial warning signs because we don’t always see the jaw as being an important part of our body. This is a common misconception! Take note of your discomfort the next time you bite into that burger. Are you experiencing headaches, pain while chewing, clicking or locking of the jaw? You may have something called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Try to jot down any foods in particular that you’re experiencing pain with while eating. This will help your doctor determine the severity of your case.  Temporomandibular joint disorder TMD can prevent you from eating all of your favorite hard or chewy foods. The pain and discomfort it […]

Sleep apnea can affect anyone, even children. However, certain factors will put you at an increased risk for sleep apnea. By understanding these risk factors, you can take charge of your health while getting a better night’s sleep. Let’s take a look at four risk factors for sleep apnea. You use alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers and smoke. If you drink alcohol or use sedatives or tranquilizers, the muscles in your throat will relax. As a result, your airway can become blocked, causing difficulty while sleeping. Smoking can negatively affect your sleep, too. Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than those who have never smoked. When a person smokes, it can also increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway. However, your risk is likely to drop if you quit smoking, so please consider that option. You have excess weight. If you are overweight, fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct your breathing. And while a lot of people who are overweight suffer from sleep apnea, not everyone who is overweight will suffer from it. We can also see thin individuals or those at a healthy weight with sleep apnea, which means […]

With every new year, there are new obstacles to tackle or overcome. We often decide to “eat healthy” or “exercise more.” But what about how you sleep? This year, make a resolution to get a better night’s sleep by switching your sleeping position.  Some people sleep on their backs while others on their stomachs. Then there are those who sleep in the fetal position and others who spread across the entire bed. While your sleeping position can vary throughout the night, you might want to think again about your favorite position because it can have repercussions for your health.  Side sleeper. One of the most common sleeping positions is on your side. If you lay on your right side it has been shown to increase the risk of indigestion and heartburn. However, if you sleep on your left side, it allows trapped air to be released. You might find yourself letting out a burp when this happens.  Stomach sleeper. If you sleep on your stomach, your head has no choice but to tilt to one side. This can then cause stress on your spine. It can also compromise the natural curves of the spine, which means you’re more likely to […]

At the end of the day, what do you want to do the most? Odds are, you want to sit back, relax and drift off into sleep. But there’s one problem. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to fall asleep right away every night. Some even wake up still exhausted because sleep apnea gets in the way of a good night’s rest. To help, here are three tips that you can follow to take the appropriate steps to get a better night’s sleep every day. Dedicate the bedroom to sleep When you think about sleep, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It might be your bedroom because that is what it is meant for. And that is what you should use it for. The more you use your bedroom for daily activities, the harder it will be to fall asleep each night. Make sure you only use the bedroom for sleeping and sexual activity. This means, avoid reading, watching TV, eating and talking on the phone while in bed. Try to also avoid lying awake thinking in bed. While it might seem like that is the place to think, do your problem solving elsewhere like […]

Currently there are numerous amounts of people who are dealing with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, but have no idea what it is. And, without understanding the source of their pain, they don’t know that a proper solution can be found at their dentist’s office. Yes, the dentist! By visiting Dr. Sara, we can help provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for those suffering from pain in the jaw. Let’s take a look at the pain and how you can find relief from jaw pain. TMJ Pain The temporomandibular joint (TMJ)  connects the lower jaw at the temporal bone. Most disorders of the TMJ have symptoms of pain or a “clicking” sound when you open and close your mouth, or chew food–bet you weren’t quite aware of that, were you? Some signs and symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), include:  Grinding and clenching teeth Sore, stiff muscles around the jaw Frequent headaches or neck aches Pain worsens when teeth are clenched Clicking jaw when opening mouth Painful to eat and yawn Arthritis problems Teeth meet differently TMJ problems can develop for many reasons. Clenching and grinding of the teeth can stress the TMJ joint, as well as injury or […]

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are often very difficult to diagnose due to the variety of conditions it mirrors. A less-than-clear understanding of the causes and exact symptoms of TMD, as well as the surrounding muscles, healthcare professionals are often hesitant to diagnose TMD. Instead, they might diagnose a condition as something far different, but that fits the symptoms. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of TMD are characteristic of a number of other conditions, which makes diagnosis often very difficult. Some symptoms that might mimic the characteristics of TMD include:  Toothaches Sinus infection Ear infection Facial neuralgias Myofascial pain Headaches  If pain in the jaw area is being experienced, tests will often be recommended to rule out or confirm the presence of any conditions, including TMD. Finding the Diagnosis When conducting an examination of a patient that is experiencing pain in the TMJ region, a detailed health history will be taken looking for any injuries, traumas, procedures or conditions that may contribute to the symptoms. Your temporomandibular joint will also be examined, along with the bones and muscles of the jaw, mouth, face, neck and head to note pain and tenderness, limited motion or locking of the jaw when opening, closing, […]

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD) are commonly associated with pain in the jaw. And, while jaw pain is one of the main symptoms of TMD, it is also important to understand there is other pain associated with this condition. Let’s take a closer look at ear and sinus pain as they relate to TMD in Warrenton. What is the connection with your ears? Other than when you were a child, you may not have experienced pain in your ear—or at least enough to notice it. However, ear problems are also linked with your TMJ disorder.  If you are suffering from TMD, ear pain and other symptoms is very common and predictable. The muscle that determines the size of the Eustachian tube (ear pressure) directly influences the same nerve that serves the jaw muscles and TMJ.  As a result, you might experience ear pain due to the changes in the way the Eustachian tube affects the ear. What is the connection with your sinuses? When you suffer from TMD, you can also experience pain in your sinuses.  Sinus symptoms can often be mistaken for the common cold, sinusitis and other infections.  If you suffer from TMD, you might experience pain and […]

Sleep apnea causes restless nights of sleep and exhaustion during the day, but did you know it can also affect other areas of your health? It can. Not only does sleep apnea negatively affect your sleep, but also it can play a role in Acid Reflux and Impotence. Let’s take a look at two health conditions that you may not know are affected by sleep apnea. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (Acid Reflux). Many people who suffer from sleep apnea or nasal problems are unaware that they also suffer from reflux. And, many times, you might be experiencing the symptoms, but not knowing what it is. If you suffer from GERD, you might be more likely to experience reflux symptoms during periods of wakefulness at night. By waking up frequently, your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and when you are awakened by an apnea episode, the event could trigger your reflux. Through treatment of sleep apnea, you can further decrease the incidence of GERD just as treatment of GERD can decrease your symptoms of sleep apnea. Impotence. Waking up exhausted might seem like enough of a problem, but you may have to watch out for something else—impotence (erectile dysfunction). You may be […]

If you are experiencing jaw pain or discomfort, you might be suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD). This condition is commonly associated with jaw tension and pain. While you might be unaware of this condition or its treatment options, there is one familiar option: BOTOX®. Botox is often used as an alternative treatment for TMD and associated jaw tension. When injected into facial muscles afflicted with soreness and discomfort, Botox helps to relieve TMJ and jaw tension for many patients. The injections often even eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding. In cases of severe stress, Botox can even minimize lock jaw. How does Botox treat TMD? Located on both sides of the head at the point where the jawbone meets the skull, the TMJ is used during talking, eating, swallowing, and other everyday activities. If this joint becomes displaced or is overworked through excessive teeth grinding, a person may suffer severe tension headaches, as well as sharp pain in the jaw. Botox helps to relieve jaw tension by making muscles unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces headaches and pain. How long is the Botox procedure? The typical length of a Botox […]

While headaches definitely are not fun, it might be worth your time to try to think about what type of headache you might be experiencing. All headaches are not the same, so don’t lump them all in one description. You might have heard about tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, but did you know there are other types? Here are four headaches you might not be aware existed. Depression headaches. When a person suffers from chronic depression, their body might also respond with aches and pains, even leading to headaches. To treat both your depression and headache, it is important to visit your doctor. With a proper diagnosis, your doctor can provide you with an appropriate treatment plan for both your headache and depression symptoms. Rebound headaches. Taking too many medications to relieve your pain can actually lead to further headaches. By routinely taking certain medication you might think you are preventing headaches, but that is not the case. Medications most commonly associated with rebound headaches include Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and combination medications containing caffeine. If any of these medications have been overused, the best source of action is to discontinue using it. Hypertension headaches. This type of headache is […]

Sleep apnea treatments are key to getting a better night’s sleep. However, there are some lifestyle changes you can make, too, that will significantly improve your symptoms. Through lifestyle changes, you can improve your sleep while eliminating sleep apnea symptoms.   Here are some lifestyle changes you should be making to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms and complications. Quit Smoking.  If you smoke, it can have a significant negative impact on your overall health and sleep apnea. So toss that cigarette out and quit smoking today! If you quit smoking, you will notice the differences in not only your overall health, but sleep apnea symptoms as well. While quitting might be difficult, the end result is well worth the initial struggle. Protect your health and improve your sleep by quitting that bad habit today! Exercise to lose weight. One of the leading causes of sleep apnea is obesity, which means one major change in your life should be exercise and weight loss. If you are overweight, your airway can become blocked. By losing weight you can improve your sleep and eliminate your symptoms, while also improving your overall health. Remember to get regular exercise, even if that means only 30 […]

Sleep apnea and snoring should be at the top of your list this season. This is because untreated sleep apnea can lead to further complications with your health. Treatment of sleep apnea is an easy way to regain your health and get a good night’s rest, but if you don’t it can develop into other conditions. Here are three negative effects of untreated sleep apnea on your overall health and well-being. High Blood Pressure and Stroke. A sudden drop in blood-oxygen levels occurring during sleep apnea episodes increase blood pressure and places a strain on your cardiovascular system. It is estimated that 50 percent of people with sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which can play a serious role in heart disease. When the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted, or severely reduced, your brain tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients.  Within just a few minutes, brain cells begin to die. Through the damage and stress to your blood vessels, it is believed that this is caused by blood pressure and oxygen changes from sleep apnea, which increases your risk of stroke. Worsening of ADHD. Not everyone with sleep apnea has ADHD, just like not […]

To help you get a better understanding of sleep apnea, and understand what questions we might ask, we have put together a simple questionnaire for you. In this survey, you will see a series of questions about how likely you are to doze off during the day. Take a look: How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? You should rate your chances of dozing off, not just feeling tired. Sitting and reading No chance of dozing Slight chance of dozing Moderate chance of dozing High chance of dozing Watching television No chance of dozing Slight chance of dozing Moderate chance of dozing High chance of dozing Sitting inactive in a public space (i.e. a theater or a meeting) No chance of dozing Slight chance of dozing Moderate chance of dozing High chance of dozing As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break No chance of dozing Slight chance of dozing Moderate chance of dozing High chance of dozing Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit No chance of dozing Slight chance of dozing Moderate chance of dozing High chance of dozing Sitting and talking to someone […]

Whether you are utilizing oral appliance therapy for the treatment of TMD or sleep apnea, it is important to understand there can be side effects associated with your treatment. As you know, many treatments have side effects and so does oral appliance therapy. However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid treatment or stop completely. Let’s take a look at the side effects and how you can overcome them. What are the side effects? The use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea or TMD may cause some side effects. While many of these side effects are only short term, it is important to understand what might occur. Some possible side effects might include: Excessive salivation. Dry mouth. Tooth and jaw discomfort. Temporary bite changes. Are there other complications? Additionally, some people do run the risk of developing further complications with oral appliance therapy. When this occurs, it is important to visit your dentist to readjust and alter your treatment. Some patients might experience potential complications such as: Jaw pain. Permanent changes to your bite. TMD symptoms. These complications are often recognized and managed by dentists trained in dental sleep medicine. Don’t ignore any complications you experience. Instead, […]

Any type of pain you experience is going to be uncomfortable and often difficult to deal with. If you suffer from constant pain, though, how do you find any relief? Whether you are suffering from neck pain or shoulder pain, it is important to understand how you can find relief from your pain. And it doesn’t always result in pain medications. To help you better understand how to improve your pain, here are a few exercises for you to try. Wall arm stretches. Stand against a wall with your arms extended in front of you. Next, move your arms up and down, as if you were making a snow angel. As you move slowly you will feel tension–this is what you are looking for. Keep your head up and your back against the wall through the entire exercise. Repeat this 10 times. How do you feel after completing this exercise? Shoulder shrugs. While sitting, make sure to sit upright with your arms at your side (I would sit in a chair for this). With your arms at your side, shrug your shoulders and release them quickly while dropping the shoulders down. After releasing your muscles, you might notice that your […]

At the end of a long day the best feeling is sitting back, relaxing and drifting off into a deep sleep. However, what if you can’t fall asleep right away or at all? Or what if you wake up constantly throughout the night, or wa up exhausted? This is often due to sleep apnea, which can get in the way of a good night’s rest. To help you take appropriate steps toward a better night’s sleep, here are three simple tips for you to follow.   Use the bedroom only for sleep It is important to remember that your bedroom is for sleep and that is what it should be used for. The more you use your bedroom for daily activities, the harder it will be to fall asleep each night. Use your bedroom only for sleeping and sexual activity. This means you should avoid reading, watching TV, eating and talking on the phone in your bed. You should also avoid lying awake thinking in bed. Do your problem solving elsewhere. And when you go to sleep, cover your clock or place it somewhere you cannot see it. Looking at the clock when you can’t fall asleep or have awakened […]

Did you know that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is not the only option for treatment of sleep apnea? There is actually another option, that might work better for you. Many people are unable to use a CPAP machine for the treatment of their sleep apnea. This can be because it is uncomfortable or it just doesn’t work for you. We have mentioned it before, but with the availability of oral appliance therapy, you can get the treatment you need without the uncomfortable mask of the CPAP machine. Here’s why oral appliance therapy from your dentist works. CPAP therapy is not always the best option. This is probably the main reason why you should visit Dr. Sara, our dentist in North Scottsdale. While the CPAP machine is beneficial for a variety of reasons, it still might not be the best solution for everyone. Most people feel that compared to CPAP, an oral appliance is very comfortable and easy to use. There are even social reasons that make oral appliances very appealing. However, before treatment can begin, it is important to understand who is a candidate for oral appliance therapy and who is not. Experience increased mobility. Oral appliance therapy […]

As you know, if you quit smoking it will significantly improve your overall health–especially your lungs. But did you know that if you quit smoking you might also significantly improve your sleep?  It’s true! There are many factors that influence how well you sleep each night, and smoking plays a major part in that. This is how smoking can negatively affect your sleep. How does smoking negatively affect sleep? If you compare a smoker to a non-smoker, it has been shown that smokers are three times more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is because smoking causes an increase of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, which can further aggravate sleep apnea symptoms. Both smoking and sleep apnea are deadly conditions that can severely shorten your lifespan when combined. They can both also cause cardiovascular and respiratory health problems. Because of this, it is so important for you to quit smoking while also seeking care for sleep apnea. It will make all the difference in your overall health. Quit smoking and seek treatment for sleep apnea You can further protect yourself and improve your health by kicking the habit now. Don’t hesitate or wait a […]

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD) are often very difficult to diagnose because it can often mirror a variety of conditions. Because there are often less-than-clear understandings of the causes and exact symptoms of TMD, as well as the surrounding muscles, health care professionals are often hesitant to diagnose this condition. Instead, they might diagnose a condition as something far different, but that fits the symptoms. As a result, you won’t get the treatment you need to find relief from your discomfort or pain. By visiting Dr. Sara in North Scottsdale, we can help you find out the cause of your discomfort and if you do have TMD–a condition that is often overlooked from family physicians. What is the difficulty? Symptoms of TMD are characteristic of a number of other conditions, which can often make a diagnosis very difficult to determine. Some symptoms that might mimic the characteristics of TMD include: Toothaches. Sinus infection. Ear infection. Facial neuralgias. Myofascial pain. Headaches. If pain in the jaw area is being experienced, tests will often be recommended to rule out or confirm the presence of any conditions, including TMD. Finding the diagnosis When conducting an examination of a patient that is experiencing pain […]

While temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is quite common, not many people are aware that they suffer from it. In fact, an estimated 10-35 million adults in the U.S. suffer from TMD, with women impacted more often than men. When a person suffers from TMD, it is important to seek treatment and be knowledgeable of what options are available so that you can continue to improve your condition while eliminating pain. Let’s take a look at how oral appliances can help in the treatment of TMD. What is oral appliance therapy for TMD? While TMD cannot be completely cured, it can be treated to eliminate pain. The first goal of treatment is to relieve the muscle spasm and pain in addition to establishing normal range of motion of the lower jaw. At AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions in North Scottsdale, Dr. Sara will determine the best oral appliance therapy option for each individual patient. While one appliance option works for one patient, it may not work for another patient. This is why we custom create appliances to meet each individual’s needs. Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance? Throughout the day we get asked an array of questions, but one of the […]

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it is important to understand your treatment options. When left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk for significant health complications, such as: High blood pressure Stroke Heart attack Obesity Diabetes Heart failure Driving accidents There is no routine blood test to detect sleep apnea, which can be missed during routine medical visits. For this reason it is important to pay close attention to your health and well-being, while asking questions. The importance of treatment Choosing treatment can often be alarming and confusing. While there are many options, it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Wearing masks and oral appliances every night might not sound like the best option for you, but it is important to stay open-minded because your health will depend on this. Only a small percentage of people with OSA actually seek treatment. And some of those who know they have a problem, but choose to ignore it, they will continue to increase their risk for health complications. If you think you  have OSA or you know someone who does, it is important to discuss this with Dr. Sara as soon as possible. As a […]

It is estimated that one in 20 adults experience a headache every day. So what is the solution? Headaches are the most common ailment and are often poorly managed by simply taking over-the-counter pain medicine. It has also been found that 99 percent of women and 93 percent of men are set to suffer from some type of headache in their lifetime. And while so many people suffer from headaches, the cause might not be all in your head. Your Neck and Headaches Your neck actually plays a role in the development of headaches. Neck involvement is underestimated when it comes to the cause and relief of headaches. Neck pain can actually be a component in migraines. By diagnosing and treating neck problems, it can often stop the pain. It has been found that the underlying disorder in migraines and other types of headaches might be due to a malfunctioning pain filter located in the brain stem, which can be desensitised. Early diagnosis and management through proper treatment can significantly decrease the course of costly treatment and disability that is often associated with migraines and headaches. It is important to rule out any serious issues as causes of your headaches […]

Do you have sleep apnea? If you do, it could be the reason you are gaining weight. Once you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can take the right steps toward treatment and losing weight. Continual sleep deprivation can undermine weight loss efforts just as much as eating that Big Mac from McDonalds can. If you’ve ever thought, why isn’t the weight coming off? It might be time to see if sleep apnea is the culprit and finally find a solution. Sleep is Important When we are sleep deprived, everything goes haywire. It has been shown that we can eat as many as 550 extra calories a day when we are experiencing a lack of sleep. This is because sleep influences levels of hormones that affect our feelings of hunger and fullness. We crave even more carbs when we lose out on sleep. And even if you cut back on calories, sleep deprivation gets in the way and makes it harder to lose the weight. We know it can often be difficult to get the recommended amount of sleep a night. From a never-ending to-do list to the glowing screens of our computers, phones and tablets, sleep might be the […]

Feeling sad every now and then is a fundamental part of the human experience, but persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness and disinterest in things are symptoms of depression. Today, depression affects at least 20 million Americans and it is not something that should be ignored. If you are feeling depressed or down about things lately, take a look at your sleep. Healthy sleep should be just as important as proper nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation in promoting overall health. Through recent studies we have found that depression and sleep apnea are linked, which further proves the importance of treating sleep apnea in Scottsdale at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions. What is the Connection? You may not think your sleep is connected to your depression, but it is. When you are depressed, you may experience sleep problems. And, if you are experiencing sleep problems it can also lead to depression. For example, some people experience symptoms of depression before sleep complications begin. However, some people experience sleep complications before depression appears. Either way you look at it, when sleep apnea is present, it is associated with more severe depression. This is why it is important to visit Dr. Sara […]

If you have a poorly aligned bite or missing teeth, facial pain or jaw pain can become more pronounced, causing further issues. This often occurs because the jaw muscles are working harder to bring the teeth together. As a result, the surrounding jaw muscles are strained. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might be suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) in Scottsdale, which is a painful condition that can be mistaken for recurring headaches and jaw pain. What are the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ)? The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the points at which the lower jaw attaches to the skull, and are among the most complex joints in the human body.  If your jaw clicks or pops, this could be a sign of TMJ disorder.  Joint sound is one of the most recognized signs of TMD along with the following symptoms: Clicking and/or difficulty when opening and closing your mouth Frequent headaches Neck and/or shoulder pain Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found Jaw pain or stiff jaw when chewing, biting, eating or yawning Earaches without an infection If you suffer from TMD you are at particular risk because it can restrict the range of an […]

  Back in February it was National Heart Month. While one month out of the year is dedicated to spreading awareness for heart health, we want to continue that same awareness throughout the year—because it should always matter. At AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions it is our goal to help you maintain optimal oral and overall health, which is why it is important that you understand the link between heart disease and sleep apnea. The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease While plain old snoring can get a little annoying, especially for someone listening to it, the repeated pauses in breathing can lead to cardiovascular problems. When this occurs, it can be potentially life threatening. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you can experience pauses in breathing five to 30 times per hour (or more) during sleep. This prevents restful sleep and is associated with high blood pressure, arrhythmia, stroke and heart failure—all conditions you need to be aware of. As you may already know, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Stroke is the fifth leading cause, along with disability, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for both. The evidence is very […]