In other words, they don’t use it. That is a dangerous health risk. Sleep apnea is suspected as a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes for those under 65. So sleeping without one can threaten your quality of life.

So what do you do if you have sleep apnea and can’t or don’t like use a CPAP?

You can use the dental device for sleep apnea is an alternative to the CPAP. In many cases, people who’ve never used a CPAP prefer this device for it’s portability as well as the fact that it allows for more freedom of movement. Spouses and bedmates tend to prefer it as well.

In short, the device thrusts your bottom jaw so structurally you can breath and oxygenate your blood properly.

Erika Mason DDS  is a AADSM–American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

See our sleep apnea page.

Front of our direct mail piece

Our direct mail post card with contact information.

1. Visit Dr. Mason’s office regularly – bad breath may be a sign of gum disease. Only a dental professional can remove hardened plaque from below the gumline and custom design the right plan of action for a future filled with odor-free conversations.

2. Brush and floss daily – this seems like a no-brainer, but when it comes down to it, people admit to flossing about as often as they flip their mattress. The primary cause of bad breath is a buildup of bacteria between the teeth, so brushing and flossing daily is absolutely essential.

3. Use a tongue scraper – a scraper will more effectively remove odor-emitting bacteria that are trapped beneath taste buds.

4. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash – many commercial mouth rinses contain alcohol, which can dry out the mouth and actually contribute to bad breath. A baking soda or peroxide mouthwash can help fight odiferous bacteria.

5. Replace your toothbrush – a toothbrush can harbor bacteria, as well as viruses, so replace yours every 2-3 months for maximum odor-fighting power.

6. Wet your whistle – sip on water throughout the day to wash away food particles and prevent dehydration.

7. Spice things up – fresh herbs such as parsley, coriander, tarragon, rosemary, and cardamom have natural odor fighters. Steep them in hot water for a refreshing after-dinner tonic.

8. Snack wisely – studies show that foods rich in vitamins and minerals can improve mouth odor. Vitamin-D-rich foods (yogurt, cheese, and milk) reduce the level of hydrogen sulfide in the mouth, and foods containing vitamin C (berries, citrus fruits, melons) create an environment inhospitable for bacteria growth.

9. Avoid common offenders – coffee, wine, and whiskey top the list of liquid offenders. Consider drinking green tea instead of coffee to fight bacteria and help prevent gum disease.

10. Chew sugar-free gum – while this isn’t a permanent solution, it can freshen breath in a pinch, and because it’s sugar-free, it won’t contribute to decay, which can exacerbate the problem.

Don’t be embarrassed to talk to Dr. Mason about chronic bad breath (also called halitosis). We’re here to offer solutions that will give you confidence in your oral health. Learn more about bad-breath products we recommend here, and call today to reserve your appointment! Located in Midlothian, our practice serves patients of all ages from all across Virginia and beyond!

What is sleep apnea?
An apnea is a lapse in breath that occurs for 10 seconds or longer. People with sleep apnea stop breathing several times – even hundreds of times – throughout the night. The body awakens just enough to take a breath, which prevents the patient from achieving deep sleep. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but most people aren’t aware that they have a sleep-breathing disorder at all.

What causes sleep apnea?
The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is often caused by enlarged tonsils or other soft-tissue (tongue, palate) blockages.

It’s easy to see how sleep apnea can lead to poor concentration and behavioral problems, but many parents don’t consider it a factor when dealing with children. A recent study presented at SLEEP 2010 found that sleep apnea is actually quite common among children (overweight children especially). Out of 163 overweight children (age 10-16) studied, 58 had mild sleep apnea and 42 had moderate to severe sleep apnea. When compared with grades and overall performance, the study found:

• Students with moderate to severe OSA averaged a half a letter grade lower than those without any sleep disorders.
• None of the students with moderate OSA had an ‘A’ average.
• 30% of students with moderate OSA had a ‘C’ average or lower.
• Parents and teachers reported inattention and poor study skills for subjects with OSA.

At our Midlothian, VA dental office, we take sleep apnea seriously, and we oftentimes we can solve the problem with custom, non-surgical solutions. Call our office at (804) 745-0666 and schedule an appointment for more information on how you can ensure your child gets the rest he or she needs to perform well in school – and in life.

To learn more about sleep apnea in children, visit this page on Dr. Mason’s website. You can also read the full report in Science Daily here.

Cardiovascular disease affects one in every three American adults.

What do the two have in common?

Research shows a direct link between the bacteria in your mouth and your blood vessels. It may sound crazy that an infection in your mouth can contribute to a life-threatening illness, but when you think of your mouth as a portal to the rest of your body, it makes perfect sense. Here’s what can happen:

• Plaque (colorless, odorless substance that collects on teeth) hardens into calculus and collects below the gumline.
• Calculus releases toxins and bacteria that break down the fibers in the gum tissue.
• Toxins and bacteria travel to the bone tissue, causing it to deteriorate.
• This same bacteria can enter the bloodstream, cause blood vessel walls to swell, and trigger an inflammatory response.

Inflammation, the body’s natural response to infection, may be key to understanding the connection. If advanced-stage gum disease is left untreated, the body can remain in a constant inflammatory state. This can trigger other inflammatory diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with gum disease are twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or stroke.

But it’s not all bad news! Dr. Erika Mason can prevent and treat gum disease at our Midlothian dental office, greatly reducing your risk of developing other systemic illnesses. To prevent gum disease, brush and floss regularly and visit our office for regular cleanings. Only a dental professional can remove calculus from teeth, so regular hygiene visits are essential.

To treat gum disease, we offer non-surgical therapies, including scaling, root planing, and antibiotic therapy. These treatments will remove the toxins and bacteria and promote gum re-attachment. In some cases, Dr. Mason recommends periodontal surgery to remove infected gum tissue. In such cases, we work closely with a periodontist to ensure optimal results.

Gum disease and heart disease are extremely common in our society. Dentists and physicians are working together to help raise awareness and get patients the treatment they need. Call (804) 675-0938 today and reserve your appointment with Dr. Mason. A healthy mouth is an important step toward a healthier heart and a longer lifespan!

For more information, visit www.perio.org.

What does CEREC stand for?
Good question. CEREC stands for CERamic REConstruction, but what you really need to know is that CEREC features CAD/CAM technology.

Whoa, slow down, you say, that’s an awful lot of letters. CEREC CAD/CAM?

Precisely. CAD/CAM stands for Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Milling. What that means is that Dr. Mason can design your crown with 3D software, and then send that information to a milling machine that creates the crown in our office, in about an hour.

How is this different from regular crowns?
Another good question. With regular crowns, Dr. Mason takes photos and measurements, and sends the information to a laboratory where they create your crown. She places a temporary crown, and then you visit our office when your crown arrives from the lab. While lab-made restorations are sometimes necessary, our patients much prefer the convenience and the quality available with CEREC.

Benefits of CEREC include:

• Precise color-matching: Dr. Mason matches your tooth shade precisely using CEREC’s shade guide.
• Predictable results: Because CEREC crowns are created in our office, you can count on a precise fit.
• Quality materials: Made from metal-free CEREC blocs, these crowns are known for their strength, durability, and esthetics.
• No temporaries! No second visits! No second injections!

In addition to crowns, the CEREC machine can also fabricate inlays, onlays, and veneers. Dr. Mason will be happy to discuss all the wonderful benefits of CEREC, as well as any risks, when you visit our office for your appointment. Located in Midlothian, VA, we serve patients from the surrounding areas. Call 804-745-0666 today to learn more about this exciting technology.

But headaches are normal, right? They’re just a fact of life, aren’t they?
No! Even though millions of Americans suffer from daily headaches and migraines, many without seeking treatment, headaches are not normal. In most cases, if the body sends pain impulses to the brain, then it means there is a problem that needs to be addressed. For many, this problems stems from clenching and grinding the teeth (bruxism).

How Bruxism Causes Headaches
All right, we’re about to get a little technical, so brace yourself. Headaches are monitored by a group of nerves called the “Trigeminal Nerve System.” This group of nerves responds to upper and lower jaw movement. Excessive jaw movement, such as that caused by night grinding, can lead to a hypersensitive Trigeminal system, which creates chronic headaches and migraines.

How the NTI-tss Stops Headaches from Starting
First of all, you should know that the NTI-tss is an oral device, usually worn at night, used to prevent clenching, grinding, headaches, and migraines. It’s the only FDA-approved device proven to treat headaches without drugs or surgery. Unlike a traditional nightguard, an NTI device prevents the back teeth and incisors from touching. If the teeth don’t touch, the Trigeminal Nerves aren’t triggered to send pain signals to the brain. Hence, you have Nocturnal Trigeminal Inhibition (NTI). After wearing the NTI-tss device for just one night, many people experience complete relief.

Is NTI-tss Right for Me?

The NTI-tss device may be right for you if you have:

• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Facial or jaw pain
• Head, neck, or back pain
• Clenching or grinding
• TMJ dysfunction

If you’re tired of living with pain on a day-to-day basis, contact Dr. Erika Mason for a consultation. You can read what our patients are saying about the NTI-tss device here. From our Midlothian, VA dental office, we extend exceptional general and cosmetic dentistry for patients of all ages.

Nearly a century later, and Mother’s Day is still going strong. However, in our busy society, we can easily lose sight of what Mother’s Day is really about – showing mom how thankful you are for her sacrifice and devotion, and let’s face it—moms sacrifice A LOT. When’s the last time your mom did something nice for herself? You can’t remember? That’s because she’s probably too busy ensuring her family’s health and happiness!

Mom’s self-sacrifice holds true in dentistry, as well. Time and time again, we see moms bringing their children to the dentist for cleanings, braces, and general dental care. But what about mom’s smile? Doesn’t mom deserve to have a beautiful smile that radiates youth and vitality? With a bright, bold smile, mom will feel younger, and her self-confidence will soar! It’s time to give mom back her smile with a gift certificate for professional teeth whitening…

When your mom visits our office for her take-home whitening trays, Dr. Mason’s team will pamper her with soothing amenities. For most moms, it will be the first time she’s ever had her smile enhanced professionally! After we inspect her teeth and gums to ensure whitening is safe for her smile, we’ll create reusable trays to fill with our professional bleaching gel. Mom simply wears the trays twice a day for about two weeks, and in no time, her smile will look, bright, beautiful, and better than ever!

Take-home whitening will remove years’ worth of stains caused by aging, tobacco use, coffee, tea, soda, and red wine consumption. Our gentle stain-removing gel strengthens tooth enamel and causes virtually no post-whitening sensitivity. On average, professional whitening lightens teeth six shades – that’s four times as much as over-the-counter strips and pastes. After take-home whitening with Dr. Mason, mom will be so proud of her brilliant, new smile, she’ll be flashing her pearly whites all around town!

Call today to learn how you can surprise your mom with a Mother’s Day whitening certificate. She’ll thank you with a beautiful smile that she’s proud to share! Located in Midlothian, VA, our office provides exceptional general and cosmetic dentistry to patients residing in Midlothian and the surrounding areas of Richmond.

So, what are porcelain veneers, and why are they so great? You may have heard about porcelain veneers from a friend or family member. Aside from teeth whitening, they’re the most popular cosmetic dental enhancement on the market. Porcelain veneers are thin, porcelain casings placed on the surface of teeth. In the past, patients who wanted to improve their smiles without braces turned to crowns, which require tooth reduction. In comparison, porcelain veneers are a much more conservative procedure that requires very minimal tooth preparation. Like porcelain crowns, veneers prove extremely durable, highly esthetic, and they resist stains. With porcelain veneers, you can enjoy a bright, beautiful smile for years and years.

Let’s recap. Benefits of porcelain veneers include:

• Translucent – the porcelain’s radiance closely mimics that of natural tooth enamel.
• Durable – when bonded to the surface of teeth, veneers prove extremely durable.
• Conservative – veneer placement requires very minimal tooth preparation.
• Stain-Resistant – the porcelain will not absorb stains, so you can enjoy a bright smile indefinitely.
• Long-Lasting – take care of your veneers, and they will last a decade or longer.
• Short Treatment Time – best of all, veneers can be designed and placed in just two visits!

What do you like about your smile? What would you like to change? With porcelain veneers, the possibilities for your smile are endless. At your consultation, Dr. Mason will discuss your goals for a flawless smile. Some patients want to alter the length and color—others are concerned about gaps and spacing. Dr. Mason will create a plan that solves all of your cosmetic dental concerns.

If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry, now’s the time to take the plunge! You deserve a smile that showcases your confidence and vibrancy. Call Dr. Erika Mason and reserve a personal consultation. Located in Midlothian, VA, our office provides exceptional general and cosmetic dentistry to area patients.

Answers to common questions we receive about Invisalign:

What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a series of clear, acrylic aligners custom designed to gradually move your teeth into their ideal position. The aligners are removable and disposable. After wearing an aligner for two weeks, you will “graduate” to the next in your series. Most patients wear between 20 and 30 different aligners before completing their treatment.

Who is Invisalign for?
Most adults over 17 are candidates for Invisalign. The aligners can correct a wide range of issues, such as overcrowding, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. After an evaluation, Dr. Mason can determine if Invisalign is right for your smile.

How are the aligners made?
First, Dr. Mason takes 3-D, digital images of your teeth, and then she uses the Invisalign software to create your treatment plan. The details are sent to an Invisalign laboratory, where your aligners are created and sent back to Dr. Mason.

Are they really invisible?
The aligners are thin, transparent, and fitted to your teeth, so they’re virtually undetectable. Even upon close inspection, most people won’t notice that you’re wearing braces of any sort.

How often will I have to see Dr. Mason?
Visit Dr. Mason regularly, about every 4 to 6 weeks, so she can monitor your progress.

How long will treatment take?
Your treatment time will depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your case and how often you wear the aligners. For best results, you will need to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Many patients complete treatment with Invisalign in under a year.

Will I have to wear a retainer?
Yes. As with any orthodontic treatment, a retainer is essential to maintaining the position of your teeth. We have many options for retainers, including fixed retainers and invisible retainers. Dr. Mason will discuss your options with you.

Will my insurance cover Invisalign?
Insurance benefits differ greatly from policy to policy. To learn if your insurance plan will cover treatment with Invisalign, we recommend reviewing your plan and calling your insurance representative. Generally, Invisalign is covered at the same capacity as traditional orthodontics. We’re happy to file all necessary paperwork and do whatever it takes to maximize your benefits.

How do I get started?
Call Dr. Mason’s Midlothian dental office today and request a consultation!