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POD/Vida appliance
Before
After
The POD (preventive oral device) is a bite guard for people who clench, grind, or have airway challenges.
Many times, clenching, grinding, and/or snoring are signs that you are not getting good quality oxygen which leads to stress, headaches, anxiety, acid reflux, high blood pressure, and daytime tiredness. Stress leads to many inflammatory conditions. The POD is designed for the tongue to move in a more optimal position giving you more breathing space. It prevents damage to the teeth and decompresses the jaw joint thereby reducing overactive chewing muscles.
It is critical to always breathe through your nose. Nasal breathing naturally filters viruses, toxins and bacteria. It also produces nitric oxide which has many health benefits. You may need to address allergy issues first. To ensure nasal breathing during sleep, we may recommend taping your lips closed with sleep tape. We will show you how to breathe properly using your diaphragm. As your tongue position and function improve, you will begin to breathe more efficiently through your nose.
If you wear a CPAP for sleep apnea, the POD helps the CPAP work more effectively. Even if you have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may be at risk for UARS/Upper airway resistance syndrome which is a precursor to sleep apnea. These conditions indicate the airway is collapsible and not firm as it should be.
Our jaw bones and muscles were designed to chew with force. Due to generations of processed foods, our jaws are not developing like they should. Because of this, the tone of our airway collapses and we go into a fight and flight survival mode. This makes our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. We end up with poor sleep, weight gain, risk for heart attack and stroke, and a host of inflammatory conditions and premature aging.
Our goal at Breathing and Functional Dentistry and Cortez Dental is to give you a better quality of life through our many services. We are here to explore ways to help you live more fuller, healthier lives.
Many times, clenching, grinding, and/or snoring are signs that you are not getting good quality oxygen which leads to stress, headaches, anxiety, acid reflux, high blood pressure, and daytime tiredness. Stress leads to many inflammatory conditions. The POD is designed for the tongue to move in a more optimal position giving you more breathing space. It prevents damage to the teeth and decompresses the jaw joint thereby reducing overactive chewing muscles.
It is critical to always breathe through your nose. Nasal breathing naturally filters viruses, toxins and bacteria. It also produces nitric oxide which has many health benefits. You may need to address allergy issues first. To ensure nasal breathing during sleep, we may recommend taping your lips closed with sleep tape. We will show you how to breathe properly using your diaphragm. As your tongue position and function improve, you will begin to breathe more efficiently through your nose.
If you wear a CPAP for sleep apnea, the POD helps the CPAP work more effectively. Even if you have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may be at risk for UARS/Upper airway resistance syndrome which is a precursor to sleep apnea. These conditions indicate the airway is collapsible and not firm as it should be.
Our jaw bones and muscles were designed to chew with force. Due to generations of processed foods, our jaws are not developing like they should. Because of this, the tone of our airway collapses and we go into a fight and flight survival mode. This makes our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. We end up with poor sleep, weight gain, risk for heart attack and stroke, and a host of inflammatory conditions and premature aging.
Our goal at Breathing and Functional Dentistry and Cortez Dental is to give you a better quality of life through our many services. We are here to explore ways to help you live more fuller, healthier lives.