Effective Sleep Apnea Therapy in Natick, MA

April 17, 2015

Do you snore while you are in a deep sleep? Many Americans snore while they drift off into dreamland, waking their partner in the middle of the night. However, frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common and, in some cases, a potentially serious disorder. If you feel tired after a night of rest or irregular throughout the day, you may have sleep apnea. Papageorgiou Dental Associates, which houses phenomenal dentists and their expert staff, has a solution for those who deal with this sleeping disorder.

How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

sleep apneaSleep apnea is a condition that affects your breathing patterns while you sleep. Breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes shallow. The pauses last for seconds, but they can occur hundreds of times throughout the night, pulling you out of your natural sleep cycle. In result of this interruptions and erratic breathing habits, you spend less time in a deep sleep and your day suffers because of it. Symptoms and signs of sleep apnea include morning headaches, irritability, random mood swings, dry mouth or sore throat when waking, difficulty concentrating throughout the day, daytime drowsiness, and moments where you feel as if you could rapidly fall asleep.

How Do I Treat It?

Our sleep apnea therapy is simple, yet effective. After an initial consultation with the doctor, we will determine if you have sleep apnea. If diagnosed, we will make an impression of your mouth and craft a mouth appliance for you to wear at night. This mouthpiece slightly opens the mouth, allowing for better air intake throughout the night, discontinuing the obstructions from the sleeping condition. With continued use of the appliance, you will retain regular breathing while you sleep and will no longer experience interruptions while Mr. Sandman gives you a dream.

I Think I May Need to see a Doctor.

Our staff and dentists are available to see you when you schedule an appointment. We understand the seriousness of this condition and we are ready to help those who have it. Our office is available to Natick, MA, Framingham, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, and the surrounding communities.

Eliminate Pain and Discomfort with TMJ Disorder Therapy from Dr. Papageorgiou in Natick, MA

February 17, 2015

166668743Do you have a TMJ disorder? Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders most commonly occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40, but may develop in anyone at any age. Your TMJ connects your lower jaw bone to your skull in front of each ear, and controls the facial muscles in charge of chewing. Problems with your TMJ can cause head and neck pain, facial pain, ear aches, headaches, locked jaw, bite problems, and jaw clicking or popping sounds. If you have persistent jaw pain, or if you can’t open or close your jaw comfortably, it’s time to take action. Make a TMJ disorder appointment with Papageorgiou Dental Associates today. Dr. Papageorgiou is the leading Natick TMJ disorder specialist. Papageorgiou Dental Associates delivers quality care daily throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and the surrounding communities.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Your TMJ acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. A TMJ disorder can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control your jaw movement. The exact cause of TMJ disorder development is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of problems, including arthritis or jaw injury, or bruxism (nightly teeth grinding).

Do You Have A TMJ Disorder?

If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, you should make an immediate appointment for a TMJ disorder examination:

  • Pain or tenderness of your jaw
  • Earaches
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Aching facial pain
  • Locking of the jaw

How Does Dr. Papageorgiou Treat TMJ Disorder?

Oral Appliance Therapy (Night Guards):  If you are suffering from TMJ disorder, you may benefit from wearing a custom oral appliance at night. The night guard fits securely over your upper and lower teeth, much like an athletic mouth guard. The oral appliance can help reduce clenching and teeth grinding, and ease muscle tension by relieving jaw joint stress and pressure.

Natick TMJ Disorder Therapy Appointments

To determine the presence of TMJ disorder, Dr. Papageorgiou will listen to and feel your jaw when you open and close your mouth, observe the range of motion in your jaw, and press gently on areas around your jaw to identify sites of pain and discomfort. Don’t go another day without seeking treatment for your TMJ disorder symptoms. Make an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today for the TMJ disorder therapy you need to restore your quality of life. Dr. Papageorgiou is a trusted family dentist, now proudly serving families throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and the neighboring areas.

Effective and Reliable Natick Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatments

January 17, 2015

176057080Does loud snoring keep you up at night? If you, or someone close to you, suffer from chronically loud snoring, intermittent choking, or other sleep disturbances, you may need sleep apnea and snoring therapy. Sleep apnea and snoring are separate but related conditions stemming from the interruption of airflow as you sleep. Untreated sleep apnea and snoring not only rob you of a good night’s rest, but could also pose serious health risks. Make an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today for the sleep apnea and snoring treatment you need to finally get a good night’s sleep. Dr. Papageorgiou is an experienced sleep apnea doctor. Papageorgiou Dental Associates proudly serves families throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and the surrounding communities.

What Causes Sleep Apnea and Snoring?

While we’re awake, our throat muscles keep our airway open so that air can flow freely in and out of our lungs. But as we sleep, these muscles can relax, narrowing our airway. Normally, this narrowing doesn’t prevent air from flowing into and out of our lungs. However, if you have sleep apnea, your throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal, and your airway could become partially or fully blocked as you sleep. As a result, loud snoring and drops in blood oxygen levels can occur. If the oxygen drops to a dangerous level, it triggers your brain to interrupt your sleep to reopen your windpipe. Normal breathing then starts again, but with a loud snort or choking sound.

Why Is Untreated Sleep Apnea And Snoring So Dangerous?

These frequent drops in your blood oxygen levels and reduced sleep can trigger the release of stress hormones in your body. These hormones then raise your heart rate and increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeats. The hormones also can raise your risk for heart failure. Untreated sleep apnea may lead to changes in how your body uses energy, increasing your risk for obesity and diabetes.

What Are Your Sleep Apnea And Snoring Treatment Options?

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure): CPAP is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a small mask that fits over your mouth or nose as you sleep. However, CPAP treatment is not well tolerated by many patients and can cause side effects including: a dry or stuffy nose, irritated skin, dry mouth, headaches, stomach bloating and other discomfort.

Oral Appliance Therapy: Oral appliance therapy is the less invasive alternative for sleep apnea and snoring treatment. A custom fitted oral appliance could help if you have sleep apnea, or if you snore loudly but don’t have sleep apnea. Either way, Dr. Papageorgiou can diagnose your case and design and fabricate a custom-fitted solution. The oral appliance will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep your airways open while you sleep, thus eliminating the effects of the conditions.

Natick Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment Appointments

Don’t lose anymore sleep unnecessarily. Make your sleep apnea and snoring therapy appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today. Dr. Papageorgiou is a highly qualified family dentist. Papageorgiou Dental Associates proudly serves patients of all ages daily throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and nearby cities.

Who Can You Call for Dental Emergencies in Natick, MA?

December 17, 2014

450602329Most people know automatically to call 911 in case of a medical emergency. But do you know who to call in case of a dental emergency? If you don’t, you could be setting yourself up for a rude awakening. Most hospital emergency rooms don’t have the qualified staff to treat complex dental emergencies. Furthermore, they’re not equipped to replace or restore teeth that have been knocked out or need to be removed. You can save yourself, time, money, and headaches, by building a relationship with a dentist that your family can turn to during dental emergencies. Make an appointment to get to know Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today. If you do so, you’ll know exactly who to call during a dental emergency. Dr. Papageorgiou wants to help you keep your family safe and healthy. Papageorgiou Dental Associates proudly serves families throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley and surrounding communities.

Common Dental Emergencies

  • Extreme pain from tooth ache
  • Infection
  • Bleeding or swelling
  • Injuries to the teeth or gums
  • Lost or cracked fillings
  • A chipped or broken tooth
  • Knocked out tooth
  • Partially dislodged tooth
  • Crowns that have fallen out or broken
  • Broken braces or wires
  • Abscess
  • Severe cut on the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips

Dental Emergencies in Natick, MA

Remember that it’s important to address a dental emergency as soon as possible, to reduce the possibility of permanent damage to your teeth, gums, or facial structures. Even with good oral hygiene habits, you can’t fight decay or treat dental injuries without the help of a qualified family dentist. Make an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou at Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to get the preventive dental care you and your family need to stay healthy. Dr. Papageorgiou wants to partner with you for a lifetime of good dental health. Papageorgiou Dental Associates restores smiles daily throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley and nearby areas.

Children’s Dentistry Tips: 4 Ways to Protect Children’s Teeth this Halloween

October 17, 2014

57612597Together, we spend a whopping $1.9 Billion on Halloween candy every year. This equals a huge dose of cavity causing sugar unloaded onto our families each holiday. Though your child may be looking forward to the coming festivities, you may be thinking about the toll this holiday takes on your family’s health every year. But there are steps you can take today to make sure that your family’s dental health is protected this time around. The first and most important step is to make an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Soncini at Papageorgiou Dental Associates. They can help you guard against cavity causing bacteria on your children’s teeth with dental sealants and fluoride treatments. The experienced and gentle family dentists of Papageorgiou Dental Associates proudly serve patients throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley and surrounding communities.

Children’s Dentistry Tips for the Holidays

  • Discard the Worst Offenders– Don’t allow your children to eat a lot of hard candies, taffy or gummy bears. These treats get stuck in the teeth and are the hardest to remove. Also, try to limit the amount of dried fruits your family eats this season as they can be just as harmful.
  • Know Your Limits- Set your sugary treat limits and stick to them. Work out a schedule, establish set limits and develop a plan around how to handle the leftovers. The worst thing to do is to leave a stash of sugar available for your family to snack on for the rest of the year.
  • Get Creative- There are many healthy foods that you can substitute for the sugary snacks that we typically find this time of year. Get creative with healthy choices like fruit, yogurt, pretzels and even dark chocolate.
  • Trade Unhealthy for Healthy– Create a trade in system for your children to trade candy in return for something they wish to do or have instead. Find activities that your child loves and set a fair trade amount. That way, you are disposing of excess candy and encouraging your kids to be active throughout the season.

Children’s Dentistry in Natick, MA

With all you have to worry about this holiday season, don’t let your family’s dental care be one more thing on your list. Cross it off today by making an appointment with Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Soncini at Papageorgiou Dental Associates. They can help you find solutions to keep the entire family cavity free this Halloween. The dentists of Papageorgiou Dental Associates are now proudly serving families throughout Natick, MA, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley and surrounding cities.

It’s Not Easy Being Green- It’s Great!

June 16, 2014

shutterstock_185075840A tall, ice cold glass of tea is a wonderful way to cool off in the summer heat. A summer staple, tea of all types has been able to cool us down, quench our thirst, and please our taste buds. From black tea to herbal, from peach to spearmint, the options often are overwhelming, but the end results are always delicious! What you may not know is how green tea is able to give you amazing benefits, both to your smile and your body! This summer, we want to make sure you are fully knowledgeable about what type of tea you are drinking and how it can promote your body’s wellness!

One of the amazing advantages to drinking green tea is the fact that it helps with your brain and your heart. Green tea is full of catechin, which are antioxidant that fight off, and have the ability to prevent, cell damage. Studies have proven that drinking green tea is directly linked to having a larger amount of activity in the working memory part of your brain. Also, drinking green tea has been shown to block the development of plaques that have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

For those with diabetes, green tea helps been the blood sugar level stable! If you are over worked and very stressed, green tea has an amino acid called theanine, something that can have a calming effect on people. For those trying to lose some weight, green tea can help increase your metabolism, helping you burn more fat calories! There are so many amazing advantages to having a cup of delicious green tea, and you should definitely experience it for yourself!

Give us a call to schedule your appointment. Our Natick team is happy to provide you with whatever cosmetic, general, or restorative dentistry needs you may have. We are proud to see patients from Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and all surrounding areas.

Give Your Kids the Advantage of a Healthy Smile with Children’s Dentistry in Natick, MA

March 5, 2014

Shutterstock Children Girl ToothbrushLifelong oral hygiene habits begin with a foundation of early dental care. From the time your son or daughter is between one and two years of age, he or she should begin visiting your local Natick, MA dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings. Early pediatric dentistry helps ensure that your little one’s smile stays happy and healthy for years to come.

Why is Children’s Dentistry So Important?

While you do everything you can at home to maintain your kids’ oral health – including brushing and flossing at night before bed – there are a number of reasons to bring them in for regular dental visits as well. Throughout the childhood years, teeth, gums and jaws are still developing. Our experienced oral care professionals examine your little one’s entire dentition, looking closely for signs of proper growth and problems like tooth decay.

Because we believe that prevention is the best medicine, particularly for little smiles, we may recommend dental sealants to protect against cavities. Optional fluoride treatments help fortify developing enamel, further reducing your child’s potential need for fillings or crowns. Regular cleanings at your dentist’s office supplement all of the brushing, flossing, and rinsing you do at home.

Prevention and Protection for Your Child’s Smile

Whether your child is ready for his or her first visit to the dentist, or you’re simply in need of a routine check-up with an oral health professional you can trust, your Natick children’s dentist is here to help. Contact our office today to reserve your appointment and find out how our gentle, caring approach can make your kids’ next dental visit a pleasant and memorable experience. We happily welcome families from nearby communities in Weston, Framingham, Sherborn, Wellesley, Wayland, Ashland, and the surrounding areas. We look forward to giving your children the consistent, quality dental care they need and deserve.

Understanding the Mouth-Body Connection: Periodontal Therapy in Natick, MA

February 11, 2014

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease, putting them at a higher risk for a variety of potentially life-threatening health problems. At Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick, MA, Dr. Christina Papageorgiou performs comprehensive periodontal therapy to help reduce the risk of associated complications before they become even more serious.

Gum Disease & Systemic Health

Though the thought of periodontal disease typically evokes images of bleeding gums and eventual tooth loss, the truth is that this common affliction actually affects the entire body. Bacteria that accumulates around and beneath gingival tissue can seep into the blood stream where it can wreak havoc on other tissues and various organs. When left untreated for any extended period of time, gum disease can contribute to the following health complications in men and women of all ages:

  • Cancer, namely of the blood and pancreas
  • Respiratory illness, including pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Preterm birth – and resulting low birth weight – in mothers with periodontal disease
  • Complications in patients who also have diabetes
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Increased risk of stroke and heart attack

Fortunately, the use of periodontal therapy significantly reduces a patient’s risk of suffering from these and other medical conditions when implemented in a timely manner.

Restore Health & Vitality to Your Smile

If you or someone in your family is affected by any of the common symptoms of gum disease, it’s time to take the first step toward improved oral and overall health with periodontal therapy. Contact our office in Natick, MA to see how Dr. Papageorgiou can help you reclaim your smile today. We proudly serve patients from throughout Natick, as well as from the surrounding communities of Sudbury, Wellesley, Framingham, Wayland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental care family!

 

Protect Yourself From the Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease

February 4, 2014

Shutterstock FlossingWhile periodontal disease gets the majority of its reputation for sore, bleeding gums and a greater chance of tooth loss, the fact of the matter is that this common infection affects the entire body in many unexpected ways. When left untreated for an extended period of time, advanced gum disease can contribute to a variety of potentially life-threatening health problems. Only professional periodontal therapy can completely reverse the disease and therefore lower your chances of developing these complications.

The Mouth-Body Connection

When bacteria that has accumulated along the gum line seeps into the blood stream, it can quickly spread throughout the rest of the body. Over time, the infection can begin to affect various other tissues and organs, resulting in health problems that may go undetected for years until symptoms develop. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, some of the most common medical complications associated with untreated periodontal disease include the following:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer, particularly of the pancreas and blood
  • Respiratory disease, including pneumonia
  • Complications in patients with diabetes
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight

Fortunately, patients treated with periodontal therapy have been found to be at a lesser risk of developing these problems. This is why it is critical that patients experiencing the symptoms of gum disease seek treatment as soon as possible. Common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

  • Bleeding when you brush and/or floss
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Redness and severe discoloration along the gum line
  • Sensitivity
  • A feeling of soreness in the jaw directly beneath teeth

Contact your local dentists in Natick to find out how periodontal therapy can help keep you protected from serious health problems associated with gum disease. We also happily welcome patients from the surrounding areas of Sherborn, Weston, Wellesley, Framingham, Ashland, Wayland and beyond.

Understanding Bruxism and How It Affects You

January 9, 2014


Do you often wake up with a headache or a sore, throbbing jaw? For many men and women, this is a common occurrence. The act of excessively clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth during sleep is called bruxism and, when left untreated, can result in damage to the teeth and jaw.

What Causes Bruxism?

Most individuals who suffer from sleep bruxism are unaware of their condition. Typically, a partner, roommate or sibling is the first to notice the tell-tale gnashing sound while the affected person is asleep. In extreme cases, teeth may even crack or break free of the gum over time due to the immense pressure involved.

Causes of bruxism range from psychological stress and sleep disorders to certain medications and daytime consumption of caffeine. Approximately 86 percent of bruxism instances throughout the night occur during periods of light sleep.

There is evidence that people who smoke, consume medications containing amphetamine or have sleep apnea are more likely suffer from bruxism. All of these things are known to disrupt sleep patterns.

Treatment of Sleep Bruxism

Dr. Papageorgiou and her team have extensive experience in the management of this condition. We offer simple, effective treatments for bruxism that fit your lifestyle.

If your bruxism has caused damage to the teeth or bones of the jaw, reconstruction may be needed to restore the beauty and function of your smile. Dr. Papageorgiou may prescribe an occlusal splint, or dental guard, that you wear at night to prevent further grinding. Most patients report almost immediate relief with this method of treatment.

Contact your local Natik dentist today to find out how our caring, experienced team can help you manage your bruxism with a nighttime mouth guard, custom-fit to your teeth. We also happily serve patients from Wayland, Wellesley, Framingham, Ashland, Weston, Sherborn and the surrounding areas.

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