Ever since my niece Lily was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) at the age of 9 (4 years ago), I wanted to find a way to help her and other children facing these life threatening challenges.  Therefore, I will again ride to help raise money to grant these children their “Wish”.  This year’s ride takes place July 23-25, 2010 riding 100 miles per day for 3 days…

Lily was granted her “Wish” this past year of her- dream playhouse/clubhouse- and  I can’t say enough about how generous and wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation was in making Lily’s dream come true!!!

I am so happy Lily is finished (for the time being) with treatment and additional lung surgeries and is again back to her “normal” life style.  There is nothing more humbling than watching a child go through treatment for cancer.  Lily is again my “Wish Hero” and will be at the finish line with her mom, to see her Uncle Earl finish the 300 mile bike ride.

Once again I would appreciate any support in raising donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  You can make a tax deductible donation for 2010 by either:

• Giving me a check made out to “Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan”.
• Donate directly by going to www.wishmich.org (for additional instructions please see the online directions sheet).
• Make a cash donation at the office

Thanks again for your support in helping me help others.  I know these are tough economic times, but I can tell you first hand this is a great organization and cause.

Best Wishes

Earl Bogrow

  If you’re like the rest of us, you have most likely adopted habits that don’t exactly lend to white teeth.  Coffee?  Soda?  Red wine?  Chances are you’ve tried some version of grocery store white.  Perhaps a whitening toothpaste.  Maybe some whitening gum.  They might have even worked ok but you want more. 

It is time for you to experience the difference of the professional white.

Well, if you’re looking for the longest lasting, highest strength whitening systems available, check out our systems listed in our website and call our office today!

Here’s how you get cavities:

*Sugar in pop combines with bateria in your mouth to form acid.

*Diet or “sugar-free” pop contains its own acid.

*Acid in soft drinks, wheather they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.

*The acid attacks your teeth.  Each acid attach lasts 20 minutes.

*The acid attack starts over again with every sip.

*Ongoing acid attacks weakens your tooth enamel.

*Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.

*If you have a receding gum line, acid does more damage below the line than above it.  This is a particularly a concern for adults.

How to reduce decay:

*Drink soft drinks in moderation.

*Don’t sip for extended periods of time.  Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.

*Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.

*After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

*Never drink pop or juice before bedtime because the liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.

*Read labels.  Regular pop is high in sugar.  And diet or “sugar-free” pop is high in acid.  Sugar and acid are bad for your teeth.

*Drink water instead of pop.  It has no sugar, no acid and no calories.

*Get regular checkups and cleanings to remove bateria buildup (plaque).  Floss too.

*Fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.

Stephanie, the 10-year-old daughter of John and Lauren Hosko of Plymouth, was in New York (and on Today) as part of her status as a finalist in the Jif Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich contest.

The national TV appearance – and a tour of NBC Studios, a visit to the Statue of Liberty and a carriage ride through Central Park – were among the highlights of Stephanie’s trip to New York , a reward for being among the five finalists in the national contest.

The only downside of the trip: Stephanie didn’t win the $25,000 grand prize. She did, however, come away with a $2,500 runner-up prize, a loss softened by the friendship she struck up with Rachel Granillo, the California girl who won the top prize.

“I was kind of disappointed, but I was happy for Rachel,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie, a student at All Saints Academy in Canton, rode to the finals of the contest on the strength of on-line voting for her “chickenchita” sandwich. She joined four other finalists at The Culinary Loft in New York, where judges tasted the five sandwiches and rendered their decision.

But that was only part of the trip, on which she was joined by her mom and grandmother, Diane Roslinski, who prompted Stephanie to enter the contest. She met Curtis Stone, a chef from the TV show “Biggest Loser,” and also met General Hospital stars Anthony Geary, Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parsons.

There were also the television appearances, including on local CW-11 and the afternoon version of Today, with co-hosts Macchio and Hoda Kotb. Before that appearance, Lauren Hosko and her sister were explaining the “wax on, wax off” scene from Macchio’s biggest movie, The Karate Kid.

When Kotb talked to Stephanie about the chickenchita, Stephanie deadpanned, “The most important part is the righty circles and lefty circles.” The quip drew laughs from Macchio.

It was all part of the whirlwind trip that included rehearsals, tourist sites, the television shows and, of course, the contest.

“They had us busy pretty much from 7 to 3 every day,” Lauren Hosko said. “It was a very high pressure trip, (but) Stephanie handled it like a pro. She has had an experience of a lifetime, and I hope she will carry the memories with her always.”

Stephanie’s response to the four-day journey was more tourist-y.

“It was just cool to see the big city and all the fancy hotels and restaurants,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie Hosko with her grandmother, Diane Roslinksi, at The Culinary Loft, where the Jif sandwich contest took place. It was Roslinski who encouraged Stephanie to enter the contest.

     Saliva moistens and cleanses our mouth.  It also prevents infection by controlling bacteria.  When we don’t produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable.  There are many effective treatment for dry mouth.

Symptoms of dry mouth:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Frequent thirst
• Sores in the mouth, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, cracked lips
• A dry, red raw tongue
• difficulty tasting, chewing and swallowing
• bad breath

Causes of dry mouth:

• Side effect of certain prescriptions and nonprescription drugs.  including drugs to treat pain, depression, anxiety, allergies and cold, acne, diarrhea, psychotic disorders and ashma (certain bronchodilators).

Side effect of certain diseases and infections:

• Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia
• Dystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease

Side effect of certain medical treatments:

• Radiation to the head and neck, chemotherapy

Life Style:

• smoking or chewing tobacco can effect saliva production
• continuously breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to the problem

How to treat dry mouth:

• If you think the cause could be from your medications, talk to your doctor.  He or she may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different drug.
• An oral rinse to restore moisture may be prescribed.
• Medication can be given to stimulate saliva production.
• Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
• Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste
• visit your dentist regularly
• breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible
• using -over- the-counter artificial saliva substitute

What is sleep apnea?

Apnea literally means “cessation of breath.” If you have sleep apnea, your breath can become very shallow or you may even stop breathing while you are asleep. This state of not breathing can occur up to hundreds of times a night.

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — also called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome — occurs when there are repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during sleep. During a sleep apnea episode, the diaphragm and chest muscles work harder trying to open the airway. Breathing usually resumes with a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk. These episodes can interfere with sound sleep. They can also reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs and cause irregularities in heart rhythm.

What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?

Often the person with OSA is not the first to recognize the signs. OSA is often first noticed by the bed partner or a person who observes the patient at rest. Many people who have OSA have no sleep complaints.

The most common obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include:

• daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
• headaches in the morning
• intellectual impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, or irritability
• night sweats
• restlessness during sleep
• sexual dysfunction
• snoring
• sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking

Symptoms in children may not be as obvious. They include:

• bedwetting
• daytime mouth breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• excessive sweating at night
• inward movement of the ribcage when inhaling
• learning and behavioral disorders
• poor school performance
• sluggishness or sleepiness (often misinterpreted as laziness in the classroom)
• snoring
• unusual sleeping positions, such as sleeping on the hands and knees, or with the neck hyperextended

Who gets sleep apnea?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, more than 12 million people in the United States have sleep apnea. Of the total, more than half are overweight. Those figures also estimate that one in 25 middle-aged men and one in 50 middle-aged women have sleep apnea. If you are related to someone with sleep apnea, you are more likely to develop sleep apnea yourself.

Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. It is also more likely to develop in African-Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders than in Caucasians. The likelihood of developing the condition increases with age. For women, the condition is more likely after menopause.

Sleep apnea is more common among people with thick or large necks. The condition is also more common among people who have smaller airways in their noses, throats, or mouths. The small airway could be related to the actual size and shape of the airway, or to obstructions or other medical conditions that are causing obstructions.

Babies and small children may have sleep apnea that is caused by swollen tonsils. Adults may have enlarged uvulas — the flap of tissue that hangs at the back of the throat — or soft palates — the roof of the mouth near the throat.

What are the risk factors for developing sleep apnea?

In addition to being overweight and getting older, other risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include:

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• having risk factors for heart failure or stroke

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and take a medical and sleep history. The doctor may also ask people who live with you about your sleeping habits.

You might also be asked to take a sleep test called a polysomnogram, or PSG. Sleep testing is performed in a sleep laboratory and is supervised by a trained technologist. The test will measure various body functions, including:

• air flow
• blood oxygen levels
• breathing patterns
• electrical activity of the brain
• eye movements
• heart rate
• muscle activity

After the study is completed, the technologist will tally the number of times your breathing was impaired during sleep and grade the severity of sleep apnea. In some cases, a multiple sleep latency test is performed on the day after the overnight test. This measures how quickly you fall asleep. In this test, patients are given several opportunities to fall asleep during the course of a day when they normally would be awake.

How is sleep apnea treated?

There are several possible treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. They range from a change in behavior to facial surgery. The aim of treatment is to restore normal breathing during sleep and to alleviate the bothersome symptoms, such as daytime fatigue and snoring. Treatment may also help lower blood pressure and decrease risks for stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.

Conservative treatments – In mild cases of sleep apnea, conservative therapy may be all that is needed. These treatments include the following:

• Overweight individuals can benefit from losing weight. Even a 10% weight loss can reduce the number of sleep apnea events for most patients.
• Individuals with sleep apnea should avoid the use of alcohol and sleeping pills, which make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep and prolong the apneic periods.
• In some patients who have mild sleep apnea, breathing pauses occur only when they sleep on their backs. In such cases, using pillows and other devices that help them sleep in a side position may be helpful.
• People with sinus problems or nasal congestion, who are more likely to experience sleep apnea, can try nasal sprays or breathing strips to reduce snoring and improve airflow for more comfortable nighttime breathing.
• Avoiding sleep deprivation is important for all patients with sleep disorders.

Mechanical therapy – Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the preferred initial treatment for most people with obstructive sleep apnea. With CPAP, patients wear a mask over their nose and/or mouth. An air blower forces air through the nose and/or mouth. The air pressure is adjusted so that it is just enough to prevent the upper airway tissues from collapsing during sleep. The pressure is constant and continuous. CPAP prevents airway closure while it is being used, but apnea episodes return when CPAP is stopped or it is used improperly. Other styles and types of positive airway pressure devices are available for people who have difficulty tolerating CPAP.

How is sleep apnea treated? continued…

Mandibular advancement devices – For patients with mild sleep apnea, dental appliances or oral mandibular advancement devices that prevent the tongue from blocking the throat and/or advance the lower jaw forward can be made. These devices help keep the airway open during sleep. A sleep specialist and prosthodontist — a person with expertise in these types of oral appliances — should jointly determine if this treatment is best for you.

Surgery – Surgical procedures may help people with sleep apnea. There are many types of surgical procedures, some of which are performed on an outpatient basis. Surgery is reserved for people who have excessive or malformed tissue that is obstructing airflow through the nose or throat. For example, a person with a deviated nasal septum, markedly enlarged tonsils, or small lower jaw with an overbite that causes the throat to be abnormally narrow might benefit from surgery. These procedures are typically performed after sleep apnea has failed to respond to conservative measures and a trial of CPAP. Types of surgery include:

• somnoplasty – a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway
• UPPP, which stands for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty – a procedure that removes soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate, increasing the width of the airway at the throat opening
• mandibular/maxillary advancement surgery – a surgical correction of certain facial abnormalities or throat obstructions that contribute to sleep apnea — an invasive procedure that is reserved for patients with severe sleep apnea with head-face abnormalities
• nasal surgery — correction of nasal obstructions, such as a deviated septum

Source Reference:

Retrieved March 5th 2010 from Web MD website: 
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/understanding-obstructive-sleep-apnea-syndrome

This could affect you:

• Performance at work
• Cause strain in personal relationships
• Increase your risk for injury or illness
• Be a sign of a more serious health problem

Awareness of sleep problems is nationwide.  Physicians are becoming increasing aware that obstructive sleep apnea can be linked to life threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks to name a few.  Since Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition, it must be diagnosed by a physician. Diagnosis is based on the results of an overnight sleep study called a Polysomnogram (PSG). Other factors determining OSA are patient evaluation and history.

The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are:

• Loud snoring
• Periodic stoppages in breathing
• Significant daytime sleepiness
• Restless sleep
• Difficulty concentrating and poor memory
• Irritability or personality change

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by obstruction of the airway and characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.  These episodes are called apneas: with OSA breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow, despite the effort to breathe.

There are three treatments for obstructive sleep apnea:

• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)- a mask worn while sleeping that forces oxygen into the airway passage.
• Oral Appliance Therapy- an adjustable appliance worn at night that brings the lower jaw slightly forward opening the air passage.
• Surgery that removes the soft tissue in the throat causing the obstruction.  The tissue usually grows back. 

  Dr. Bogrow has had extensive training in oral appliance therapy for treating patients that suffer from OSA and snoring.  He continues to stay abreast of the latest developments and works with medical professionals who specialize in sleep disorders.  He is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and a charter member of the Detroit Dental Sleep Network.

More than 90% of dental plans are based on a calendar year.  If you do not use the benefits you are entitled to, they are gone as of December 31st.  Your benefits are not carried forward into the next year.  We are noticing many employers are changing their dental benefits.  It is in your best interest to use what is available before changes occur to minimize your out of pocket expenses.  Call us to make your appointment before your 2009 dental insurance expires.