Bite Align

12/22/2022

When doctors diagnose sleep apnea, they are likely to prescribe continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP is a mask that goes on the face and attaches by a hose to an air pump. The air pump forces air into your throat to hold it open.

Though CPAP is a very effective treatment (almost 100% when used properly), it’s not a very comfortable treatment. Between the restrictive nature of the mask, potential skin irritation, and discomfort of having air blown into the throat, few people really like the treatment. Many people dislike it so much that they don’t use it, even when they know it might save their life. Studies show long-term compliance with CPAP hovers around 50%.

On the other hand, an oral appliance is an easy way to treat sleep apnea. You just slide it in and it holds your jaw in a more supportive position. This keeps your airway open. Most people who use an oral appliance use it all night every night for years, which makes it a better treatment option in many cases, since they actually use it.

Whether you can’t fall asleep, can’t stay asleep, or just wake up unrested, we can probably help. Jaw problems can contribute to your sleep problems and with an oral appliance, we can address the root cause. Learn more about this alternative to CPAP at https://www.bitealign.com/sleep-dentistry/!

12/21/2022

We appreciate this great review from our sleep patient, Sharon!

Share your experience with us at https://g.page/r/CV85It7bz7BBEAg/review.

12/18/2022

Wishing you a happy Hanukkah!

12/16/2022

You know you need to get enough sleep, but the question remains: How much is enough? Sleep scientist Matt Walker discusses the recommended amount of sleep for adults and explains why it's necessary for your long-term health.

You know you need to get enough sleep, but the question remains: How much is enough? Sleep scientist Matt Walker tells us the recommended amount for adults and explains why it's necessary for your long-term health.

12/15/2022

The jaw is a complicated intersection of overlapping functions, like breathing: the airway has to pass through the jaw to reach the lungs. Not only that, but the jaw is the major bone support for the airway, and its position becomes critical when a person sleeps and relaxes the muscles that normally help hold the airway open.

So it’s no wonder that people at a high risk of sleep apnea are also nearly four times more likely to develop TMJ. Dysfunction in this area leads to multiple, radiating problems. To be treated successfully, they often have to be treated together.

Are you having trouble sleeping? Whether you can’t fall asleep, can’t stay asleep, or just wake up unrested, we can probably help. Learn more about whether jaw problems might be contributing to your sleep problems at https://www.bitealign.com/sleep-dentistry/!

12/13/2022

Some physicians truly believe that CPAP is the only successful treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but oral appliance therapy offers a treatment that's just as effective and increases compliance in most patients!

Benefits of oral appliances include:
• Increased compliance (you're more likely to use it consistently!)
• No noise
• Protects your joints and muscles
• Custom fit to you

Oral appliances offer an effective treatment option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, find out if this treatment is right for you - book an appointment with us at https://www.bitealign.com/book-appt/!

12/08/2022

There are many types of therapy that can be helpful in treating TMJ. Physical therapy can help you loosen tight, sore muscles. Chiropractic care can help align your vertebrae to reduce neck pain and back pain. Counseling can help you address the psychological and stress component of TMJ.

However, these types of treatment are not usually effective on their own. We work well as part of a team effort to fully control your TMJ using multiple approaches, as is sometimes necessary. Learn more about our TMJ treatment options at https://www.bitealign.com/tmj-treatment/!

12/06/2022

We appreciate each and every review from our patients. Share your experience with us when you leave your review on Google at https://g.page/r/CV85It7bz7BBEAg/review!

12/05/2022

TMJ is not the first thing most doctors think of when you report tingling in your fingers. Instead, your doctor will likely want to eliminate other possible causes first, such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Reynaud’s disease
• Vascular disease
• Alcohol abuse
• Stroke

When doctors find that none of these things are the cause, they can assume it’s nothing and stop investigating. What if your numb fingers could be a sign of temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ? One-third of TMJ sufferers report paresthesia of the fingers. Without identifying the correct source, treatments will either be ineffective or will only work for short periods.

Treating the underlying TMJ can reduce or even eliminate the numbness and tingling in your fingers resulting from the jaw imbalance. For mild TMJ, periodic TENS treatments may be enough to resolve the problem. For severe TMJ, there are plenty of non-invasive therapies to try, like a custom bite splint, to retrain your jaw to rest in a position of least tension. If a bite splint effectively solves the problem, you can even have dental restoration done as a more permanent solution.

Let us help to relieve your TMJ symptoms like tingling fingers - schedule your TMJ consultation with us at bitealign.com/book-appt/!

12/01/2022

As the holidays roll around, there are many things to look forward to: turkey, ham, pie, and, of course, spending time with family. Some people experience snoring every year around the holidays, or it may be a new feature this year. It's not just a nuisance - snoring is associated with sleep apnea, which has some serious health risks of its own.

If your snoring is not just seasonal, it’s time to consider snoring treatment. We offer effective treatment that can help you and everyone else sleep soundly all night long, for a truly silent night.

Read the 7 reasons why snoring can be worse around the holidays, along with tips to reduce the severity, at https://www.bitealign.com/blog/7-reasons-why-your-snoring-might-be-worse-around-the-holidays/!

If you find yourself snoring more during the holidays, here's the top 7 reasons why. Here's the treatment in Fort Atkinson you need.