Dr. Michael Long wants to know: Do you suffer from sleep disorders?

Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore loudly, or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If so, you may be one of more than 50- to 70 million Americans affected by some form of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

If you suspect that you or someone in your family is suffering from sleep apnea, please give us a call and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist here in Fresno. The specialist may recommend a "sleep study" to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.

Ask Dr. Long: What is MI Paste?

MI Paste/MI Paste Plus is a one-of-a-kind product that restores minerals and helps you produce saliva. It is the only dental product with RECALDENT™, a special milk-derived protein that is a breakthrough in oral health care in helping to remineralize teeth.

At Dr. Long's office, MI Paste and MI Paste Plus:

• Strengthen your teeth with tooth-replenishing calcium and phosphate
• Release vital minerals into your mouth when and where they are needed
• Produce a saliva-like environment that maintains normal acid levels and healthy teeth
• Help condition, protect and rebuild your tooth surfaces
• Are water-based, sugar-free crèmes that comes in five delicious flavors

MI Paste can be used as a regular tooth strengthener to keep your teeth strong and healthy, but it’s especially helpful in:

* Reducing tooth sensitivity from whitening products
* Rejuvenating and preventing sensitivity after professional cleaning
* Preventing white spots while wearing braces, and eliminating when braces are removed
* Relieving dry mouth caused by certain medications or chemotherapy
* Reducing high oral acid levels from excessive soft drinks or alcoholic beverages

For more information on how we use MI Paste and MI Paste Plus at our convenient Fresno office, we encourage you to read a bit more about this product.

$1.25 for a cavity?

Our staff at Michael G. Long DDS know that vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger: you put in $1.25 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda. But that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, Drs. Perry and Long want you to consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that "sweet tooth," but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

•Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)
•Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)
•Bread
•Pretzels (low salt)
•Milk (low or non-fat)
•Cheese (low or non-fat)
•Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)
•Sliced meat

Hope this helps! Give us a call at 559-432-4850 if you have any questions! Happy Thursday!