by Dr. Adkins | Jul 17, 2025 | Sleep Apnea, Uncategorized
More than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a serious condition that compromises your rest and can impact your health. Some symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, extreme daytime tiredness, mouth breathing, and irritability. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, much less common, happens when the brain fails to signal your breathing muscles.
Characterized by short episodes of not breathing, which can occur from five to 50 times a night, obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in your throat relax and your airways become blocked as you sleep. Your brain senses the lack of breathing and wakes you briefly to restore airflow. These episodes disrupt sleep and keep you from feeling rested.
Not only does sleep apnea keep you from getting a good night’s rest, but it can also put your health at risk. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, risk of stroke, memory impairment, and weight gain. As well, your sleep partner may not get enough sleep because of your snoring and/or waking episodes.
If you suspect sleep apnea, talk with your dentist, who may recommend a sleep evaluation. Through overnight monitoring, a sleep specialist can determine if you suffer from sleep apnea. Treatment for sleep apnea may include lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, or an oral appliance. Your dentist can fit you for night guard that will hold your jaw in the correct position to keep your airways open.
We look forward to seeing you in our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | Oct 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
If you suffer from stained, crooked, chipped or misaligned teeth, you might be looking forward to a total smile makeover to perfect your smile. Combining treatments like dental veneers, braces, teeth whitening, bonding or gum recontouring can drastically improve the look and function of your smile. In order to make the most of your smile makeover,
here are some tips you should follow when planning your treatment:
- Choose a qualified, experienced cosmetic dentist. Take time to identify a dental professional who has extensive dental education, as well as one who stays current on new technology and with whom you feel comfortable.
- Communicate your smile makeover expectations with your cosmetic dentist. Be clear about the results you would like to achieve, bringing photos of examples if possible. Clear communication with your dentist will going a long way in being pleased with the final result.
- Have your dentist explain how your planned procedures may affect the function of your teeth. Certain types of treatments, such as braces or veneers, can change the way you eat or talk.
- Educate yourself about the process used to complete any treatments or procedures you plan to undergo. Discuss the smile makeover procedures with your cosmetic dentist, as well as any instructions for before or after the procedures.
A smile makeover can significantly improve the look of your smile, as well as your overall self-confidence. Taking the time to educate yourself about the process and prepare for treatment will ensure your result is a beautiful new smile.
by Dr. Adkins | Oct 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Dental implants are a fantastic solution for replacing missing teeth. Choosing a qualified, experienced and knowledgeable dental professional to place the implants is a vitally important step that could mean the difference between a successful or failed implant procedure. Properly placed and cared for implants can last a lifetime, but improperly placed implants have the potential for problems or even complete failure.
Some things to consider when selecting an implant dentist include:
- Is the dentist a board-certified implant specialist? Any dentist can legally place implants. You should specifically look for a dentist with a specialty in “Prosthodontics” as recognized by the American Dental Association.
- How long has the dentist been placing implants and how many implant procedures have been done? The ideal implant dentist will have placed hundreds of implants, and should perform this procedure on a regular basis.
- What is the dentist’s specific training in implant surgery? A qualified implant dentist should have completed more than just a weekend course in dental implant placement, and should be able to show that knowledge is maintained with continuing education.
- Can the dentist provide before and after photos of previous implant patients? You should be able to see the dentist’s own work, not stock photos. The dentist should also be able to provide you with recommendations from former patients.
- Can the dentist explain the different types of implants and how each might suit your needs? A qualified and experienced implant dentist will have used an array of implant types and be able to recommend the best option to meet your specific restoration needs.
Making a choice of a qualified implant dentist is a critical part of the dental implant process, with a goal of ensuring success. Take your time and make certain the dentist you select has the experience and knowledge to make your implant placement worry-free.
We treat patients from McDonough and the surrounding area.
by Dr. Adkins | Oct 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
There is no quicker or easier way to dramatically improve the look of your smile than professional teeth whitening. Your dentist probably offers several whitening options and can advise you about the most appropriate type of whitening treatment to ensure your brightest, whitest smile.
No matter which whitening treatment you and your dentist decide will be best, there are several tips you can follow to help you achieve the ideal result:
- Have any existing dental problems treated prior to whitening to avoid side effects or complications.
- Schedule a professional teeth cleaning prior to your whitening appointment to remove buildup of plaque or tartar you cannot remove with home cleaning, and provide the best surface for the whitening treatment.
- Begin brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste several weeks before whitening to limit the sensitivity that can sometimes result from whitening agents.
- If you are extremely prone to dental sensitivity, check with your dentist about taking a painkilling medication before your whitening appointment.
- Consult with your dental office to determine how much time you should allow for your whitening appointment.
- Refrain from eating or drinking anything except water for at least one hour after the completion of your whitening treatment, and avoid ingesting foods and beverages that contain stain-causing agents for no less than 24 hours.
- Make sure to attend any follow-up appointments with your dentist.
- Maintain excellent home oral care habits to extend the life of your whitening procedure.
By following these tips, you can boost the results of your professional teeth whitening treatment and face the world with beautiful, bright smile!
If you live in the McDonough area, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Oct 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
While no one looks forward to root canal treatment, the procedure can be critical for saving a compromised tooth. To ensure proper healing, your dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions. Along with those recommendations, there are several tips you can follow after your root canal treatment to speed up your recovery, promote healing, and avoid potential complications.
- Avoid chewing on the treated side of your mouth until all of the numbness from the anesthetic has completely worn off. Stay away from crunchy, hard, or chewy foods for several days.
- To keep swelling at a minimum, apply an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the treated area for thirty minutes. Repeat this process hourly for about fifteen minutes each time until swelling subsides.
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping for several days after treatment.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water regularly for the first few days after root canal treatment.
- Do not smoke for a minimum of 24 hours post-procedure, and refrain from tobacco usage as much as possible until the treated area is fully healed.
- Refrain from strenuous physical activity or exercise for 48 hours after your root canal procedure.
- Relieve pain with anti-inflammatory medication, either over-the-counter ibuprofen or prescription as determined by your dentist
These tips, along with the aftercare instructions provided by your dental professional, should help ensure the best chance of a successful and quick recovery. However, should you experience excessive swelling, pain, the appearance of a rash or hives, or a return of original symptoms, you should contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
If you need a dentist in McDonough, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Sep 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
A good cosmetic dentist can make a difference in your life. If you are unhappy with your smile, turning to this branch of dentistry that focuses on improving your look through things like shaping, whitening, and restoring can help. Cosmetic dental procedures address all sorts of oral issues and allow you to achieve dramatic improvements to your smile. A key part of a good outcome is finding the right cosmetic dentist.
To help in your search for a dental professional skilled in cosmetic treatments and procedures, follow these guidelines:
- Do your research – before visiting cosmetic dentists, do some research on your own about procedures that might address the issues you have with your smile. You’ll be more prepared to ask questions and learn about specific procedures.
- Ask about experience – make sure the dentist has experience in a variety of procedures, especially the ones you’re interested in having performed.
- Look for accreditations – in addition to making sure the dentist received the proper education, membership in major national organizations indicates the dentist has the correct training in cosmetic dental treatments.
- Check their previous work – ask to see before and after photos of dental work that the dentist performed on actual patients.
- Focus on technology – modern technology such as digital X-rays and dental lasers should be available in the office. The ability to see previews of how a procedure will look in your smile is also an attractive benefit of a cosmetic dental practice. Be sure to inquire about sedation methods if you feel you might need them.
- Consider comfort – the dentist you choose should make you feel at ease about all aspects of treatment. Willingness to answer all of your questions and make sure you are confident with the staff and the office itself is vital when choosing a dentist.
Following these tips in selecting your cosmetic dentist will go a long way in helping you decide on a professional, experienced, qualified caregiver who can transform your smile.
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