MD Dela Cruz Dental TMJ Orthodontic Specialty Clinic

15/12/2024

Mental symptoms of sleep apnea are more serious than the temporary grogginess caused by drowsiness. During an apnea (Greek for “without breath”) you actually stop breathing, which starves the brain of oxygen. This duress, paired with chronic fatigue, can is now known to cause physical brain damage.

This brain scan shows that the brain blood flow in a subject with obstructive sleep apnea (left) is markedly lower compared to a subject without the sleep disorder.

The problem is greater in women with sleep apnea, which may explain the worse apnea-related outcomes in females than males.

Researchers at UCLA compared the mammillary bodies—structures in the brain that are important in memory storage—of several adults suffering from sleep apnea with those of healthy people. They found that the bodies in the troubled sleepers were nearly 20% smaller than in their untroubled counterparts

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, hundreds of times a night. Each time breathing stops, the oxygen level in the blood drops, which damages many cells in the body.

The signs are:

• Day time sleepiness
• Anxiety
• Brain fog
• Memory problems
• Cold hands and feet

If left untreated, it can lead to:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke, heart failure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s disease

We know there is injury to the brain from sleep apnea, and we also know that the heart has problems pumping blood to the body, and potentially also to the brain.

When measuring blood flow in the brain using a non-invasive MRI procedure: the global blood volume and oxygen dependent (BOLD) signal. This method is usually used to observe brain activity.

Sleep apnea starve the brain and signals from the nerves in the arms and legs are slower due to the damage throughout.

​Snoring, gasping for air, teeth grinding, or restless sleep. These are the signs.
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​Have you seen them?

02/09/2023

Remember: The family is responsible with the baby's oral health. Milk teeth are very important just like the permanent teeth. Take good care of it.

29/03/2022

FYI

PANGAnib sa PANGA

Sumasakit ba ang panga mo?
Kung may pananakit sa paligid ng tenga, habag ngumunguya, may clicking na tunog, masakit na kalamnan sa paligid ng panga, hirap sa pagbuka ng bibig, pananakit ng ulo, mukha at leeg…

Naku, naku, naku…. Punta na sa Dentista at ipatingin ang iyong TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT o TMJ.

Ang TMJ ay ang nagpapagalaw ng panga kasama ang mga muscles, buto at mga connective tissues.

Hindi lang basta-basta ang panga. Ito ay sang komplikadong joint kaya naman hindi madaling makita ang sanhi ng mga sintomas.

Malaki ang magiging tulong ng dentista para maibsan ang sakit at sa pagtuklas ng dahlian ng mga nararamdaman sa TMJ.

Kaya if may problem sa TMJ, see your dentist right away!

05/01/2022

For Your Information

Mahalagang alalahanin ang karampatang haba ng isolation at quarantine na kailangang sundin upang matiyak ang kaligtasan nating lahat.

Tandaan: kumpletuhin ng tama, kung ayaw mong sisihin ka ng madla!

27/10/2021

The spine is the communication center between the brain and the rest of the body.

In ancient Sanskrit the name for the spine is derived from sacred Mount Meru. Mt. Meru is considered as the axis of Earth. Likewise the spine is the axis of our body.

Through neural action potential, all our emotions, feelings, movements, experiences, functioning of our every organ and even the act of breathing are routed through spinal posture.

The spine can withstand around 4–4.5 k of load. If the spine is not neutral then postural and pain related conditions begin.

We can view the connection between the bite and the spine during development
Between ages 5-6 the spine is completed. The stability required for this growth is provided by core muscles and the relationship of upper and lower jaw, angle and in particular the childhood molars.

At the age of 6–7 years adult first molar teeth erupt to give stability to the cervical spine. First molars are the teeth with biggest surface area, and they can withstand maximum biting force.

Here's when the bite relationship forms with the young developed spine.

The optimal height and relationship ensures that cervical spine remains in most neutral position. In this position the head generates about 4.5–5 k of force on the spine.

During these development times, underdeveloped jaws can change the molar relationship and have an impact on spinal posture.

It has been found that if the lower molar is too far back (class II) or too far forward (class III) it results in forward head posture.

The reason is likely due to the relationship of the airway volume, and develoment of the jaw bone. Jawbones house the airways, and the jaws hold the trinity between muscle, bone, and airway space.

If you notice forward head posture or mouth breathing in you or a family member, it may be associated with how the jaws have developed.

Signs include:
• Narrow upper arch (palate)
• Open mouth posture
• Low tongue posture
• Snoring
• Slumped forward posture

Have you noticed the links between bite and posture?

17/03/2021

FYI

A new study finds links between gum disease and complications.

The research, which examined more than 500 patients, found those with severe gum disease were up to nine times more likely to die from Covid-19. It also found that patients with oral disease were nearly five times more likely to need assisted ventilation.

Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to the Oral Health Foundation, gum disease can be easily prevented or managed in its early stages.

Keep in mind that regular dental visits and maintaining an oral care routine of brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing your teeth, and using of specialized mouthwash such as Mouthrinse on a daily basis will help prevent gum disease. The GENGIGEL range of products is clinically proven to treat all stages of gum disease.

For more information, visit: bit.ly/GumDisease-and-Covid-19-complications