Archive for December, 2007

I want to thank everyone who donated to the candy buy back as we have about 400 pounds of candy waiting to be used when we travel to Haiti from January 25-Feb. 2.  As we have celebrated Thanksgiving and are in preparation for Christmas it is a good time to reflect on the Blessings we have.  This has been a very tough time here in Southeast Michigan over the past year with the housing and job market.  We are in this all together and I believe we will grow stronger as we go through the tough times.  With God at our side things won’t necessarily be easy, but he is always there to lean on.  Remember this as we celebrate the birth of  Jesus His Son, this season. 

 

God Bless and Thank You,  Robert Antolak DDS.

            Mouth breathing: 
1.      Can increase asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease and other medical problems
2.      Reduces the levels of oxygen exchange in the blood/lung interface.   The lungs extract oxygen from the air we breathe primarily on the exhale. Because the nostrils are smaller then the mouth, air exhaled through the nose creates back pressure when one exhales. It slows the air escape so the lungs have more time to extract oxygen from them.
3.      During sleep, it predisposes one to loud snoring and irregular breathing and can lead to a serious condition called Sleep Apnea and heart conditions.
 

 

1. Proper nose breathing reduces high blood pressure or hypertension and stress for most people. Kind of like a speed control (governor) on a car engine.
   
2. The nostrils and sinuses filter and warm the air going into the lungs. The mouth breather bypasses this.
   
3. Maintaining a keen sense of smell is very important for enjoying life and for safety and social acceptance.  There are receptors in the nose, known as olfactory bulbs, are direct extensions of a part of the brain known as  the hypothalamus. This extension regulates the heartbeat, blood pressure, thirst, appetite, and of course, the cycles of sleeping a waking. The hypothalamus is also responsible for generating chemicals that influence memory and emotion.
   
4. Lessening of the common cold is another good reason for nose breathing. The mucous (white blood cells that kill germs) membrane lining the nose extends all the way from the inner linings of the nostrils down the trachea to the bronchi the directly enters the lungs. Germs get caught and die in the mucous.
   

Allergies also are responsible for the mouth breathing tendencies.  The pharynx (back of throat) swells blocking off the nasal passage preventing smooth airflow through the nose.  It is important to determine what children are allergic to as soon as possible so that the destructive forces of mouth breathing are minimized.
 

As an adult it is best to retrain yourself to nose breathe during the day.  There are devices you can put in your mouth at night to retrain your tongue and help with nose breathing.  In fact, I had a patient the other day who was having a very difficult time breathing.  His CPAP breathing machine wasn’t functioning properly and I had him a Breathe Rite Strip to enlarge his nasal passage.  He was shocked at the difference he felt and the ease in which he could breathe.
Our human bodies have been designed so intricately that the smallest change in our function can effect so many other facets of how we function and our overall health.  If you have any questions please call me at (586)247-3500 or email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com
 Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years.