How Your Dentist Can Help You Get Better Sleep

from Cache Valley Family Magazine Spring 2021

Go On

EMILY BUCKLEY editor in chief

More than one billion people suffer from mildto-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and as many as one in four go undiagnosed.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is caused by either an obstruction of the airway when the muscles in the jaw or throat relax, or when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, or a combination of those issues.

If not treated, sleep apnea can cause serious medical complications including daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and liver problems.

“The first choice and gold standard for the treatment of sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine,” Dave Gordon, DDS, of Logan Peak Dental said. “CPAP machines are awesome and are a really good treatment for sleep apnea, but the problem is that an estimated 40% of people who are prescribed a CPAP machine aren’t able to tolerate it, whether because of the mask on their face or the way it dries out the tissue in their nose or mouth, so the machine ends up in a closet not being used.”

Dr. Gordon says an alternative treatment for sleep apnea, for patients who a CPAP machine isn’t working for, is a MAD (Mandibular Advancement Device) made by a dentist. These devices position the jaw forward a little bit while the person sleeps, allowing the airway to be cleared of the tongue or other tissue.

“Many people who can’t handle a CPAP do much better with a MAD,” Dr. Gordon said.

Dr. Gordon explained that there is a lot of research that suggests one of the main reasons we see sleep apnea at such epidemic proportions in our culture is because we have underdevelopment in our faces.

In his office, Dr. Gordon offers patients a type of MAD called VIVOS, which addresses the reasons a patient may not be sleeping at night using a sophisticated algorithm to create a step-bystep path to correct craniofacial developmental deficiencies and relieve the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. This is a treatment that can be used nightly for life.

“Sleep is a very basic human need,” Dr. Gordon said. “I think it is sometimes undervalued. I believe if we considered sleep at the forefront of handling many medical problems, we’d be better off.”

Dr. Gordon explained that sleep apnea should be diagnosed by a medical doctor, but he or other qualified dentists can help guide patients through the process of diagnosis and finding the best treatment for them, whether it is a CPAP machine or a MAD.

Summer Classes + Camps Guide

Cache Children's Choir

(435) 752-6260 (call or text) cachechildrenschoir.org

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT SUMMER CAMPS: Register early. Space is limited.

Music in the Park

Ages 8 to 14 June 21 – June 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come make music in the park! Ukulele, choral singing, harmony, circle games, and more with camp director Janni Richards and guest instructors. Includes t-shirt and instrument.

Listen to the Earth

Ages 5 to 8 June 28 – July 1 Camp 1: 9 a.m. to Noon, ages 5 and 6* Campe 2: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., ages 6 to 8* *Siblings may register for the same session What sounds do you hear? What happens when we combine those sounds? Learn about music and listening with creative movement, simple instruments, singing games, and more with camp directors Ewa Wilczynski and Jill DeVilbiss. Includes t-shirt and one day at the Stokes Nature Center.

Pickleville Workshops

picklevilleworkshops.com

Insanely fun musical theater camps taught by Pickleville Playhouse’s awesome cast members and directors. Throughout the week we work on musical numbers and scenes that our campers will perform in their awesome end-of-week performance. All campers will receive a Pickleville Workshop t-shirt and one complimentary ticket to Pickleville Playhouse’s Peter Pan.

July 12-16 (Logan: ages 8-18) July 19-23 (Logan: ages 6-7) July 26-30 OR August 2-6 (Bear Lake: ages 8-18)

Cache Valley School of Ballet

(435) 753-3633 cvcballet.org

The Cache Valley School of Ballet offers qualified training in classical ballet to community members of all ages and skill levels. Summer semester (5 weeks) is for ages 3 and up. Visit our website for a complete list of classes.

Tueller School of Dance

(435) 752-9154 tuellerdance.com 521 1/2 N. Main, Logan

Join us in our fun Summer Technique Workshops! Offering classes for ages 3 and up.

This is a great time to get little ones started and for experienced dancers to improve turns, leaps, tricks, and overall dance technique. See our schedule and classes on our website, or email us at tuellerdance@gmail.com for more info. Come dance with us!

Cache Valley Fun Park

(435) 792-4000 cachevalleyfunpark.com/summer-camp

Summer camps at the FUNNEST place in town! Our camps are the perfect way to beat the summer doldrums! Your kids will experience activities full of fun and learning. No vegging out in front of the TV … just FUN times and happy memories.

Camp Zootah

(435) 790-9894 zootah.org/summer-camps education@zootah.org

Join us this year at the zoo for a fun summer full of games, animal education, and more! We offer camps for ages 4 to 11! Get the chance to go behind the scenes with some of our favorite and special animals! Check our website for more information and registration.

Mountain Peak Volleyball

mtnpeakvolleyball.com

Summer Camps

Youth volleyball camps for ages 3 to 18 for all skill levels begin in June! We offer camps in June, July, and August. Instruction from our Mountain Peak coaching staff, as well as collegiate-level coaches.

Outdoor Volleyball

Get outside and play under the sunshine. Our grass and sand volleyball clinics begin in late May and end in July. Tournaments are offered on select weekends in collaboration with Logan City.

Fall League

Practice and competition in a league format for 3rd through 9th graders begin in August! Our recreation and competitive leagues are split into 3rd – 4th grade, 5th – 6th grade, and 7th – 9th grade. Both north and south practice options.

Cache Theatre Company

cachetheatrecompany.com

Kids Camp

July 19 – 30, Ages 8 to 14 Put together an entire play in just two weeks! Learn singing, dancing, and acting skills. Participate in the Pioneer Day Parade. Registration opens May 1. Limited enrollment available. Visit our website to register.

Love to Cook

(435)752-9220 luvtocook.com

Do you want your kids to feel more confident in the kitchen? Sign them up for one of our Summer Kid’s Cooking Camps! Your kids will spend three days hands-on in the kitchen, learning how to make kid-friendly recipes they will love.

June 1 – 3 June 8 – 10 June 22 – 24 June 29 – July 1 July 13 – 15 July 20 – 22