Dental Sleep Medicine, our patients share their stories

Dr. Kitzmiller and our team are uniquely trained in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine and in the use of Oral Appliance Therapy to treat snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Check out what our patients are saying about Dental Sleep Medicine with Dr. Kitzmiller at our Milford, OH office!

"It's unbelievable! The first night I wore it my wife said there was absolute silence. She said I didn't even make a sound! It had been so long since I slept eight consecutive hours without waking up, and now I am! There is nothing invasive about the oral appliance--it makes it easy to go to sleep, fall asleep and stay asleep. It's amazing!" ~Mark F.

"The entire office staff provided friendly efficient service. Dr. Kitzmiller provided thorough information concerning the sleep apnea appliance and made adjustments on the appliance to maximize its effectiveness. The appliance has virtually eliminated snoring and gasping during my sleep periods. I am thoroughly pleased with the results which in the past (surgery and CPAP) have not been positive!" ~Gary B.

"I can't thank you enough for making me aware of the TAP appliance (my wife thanks you even more). For the first time in years I am sleeping soundly and feeling healthier when I wake up and in turn have more energy. You literally saved my life because the CPAP machine was not working for me. Thanks again." ~Mike R.

If you have any questions about Dental Sleep Medicine, or if your would like to schedule a consultation at our office, feel free to give us a call at 513-248-8848.

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may live than those who don’t, according to a new study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We’ve known for a long time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers there used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950. The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, career length and, yes, even college attendance.

The researchers found that players who weren't smiling lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting us every six months? If not, give us a call!

Take Our Sleep Apnea Quiz

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! We wanted to share with you this Sleep Apnea quiz on our web site. If you haven't already, answer each of these questions and give us a call if you have any questions!

If you think you or someone you know may suffer from sleep apnea, answer the following four screening questions and take the Epworth Sleepiness Test. If you answer yes to 2 or more of these screening questions and score a 10 or greater on the Epworth, please call our office and talk to a member of our Dental Sleep Medicine Team regarding your score and a plan for your proper diagnosis and treatment options.

* Do you snore on most nights?
* Has anyone reported that you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep?
* Is your neck size large (men 17 inches/women 16 inches or greater)
* Have you had, or are you currently being treated for high blood pressure?

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Rate on a scale of 0 being no chance of dozing, and 3 being a high chance of dozing, then add up your total.

1. Sitting and reading
2. Watching TV
3. Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. a theater or a meeting)
4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
6. Sitting and talking to someone
7. Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
8. In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

Call Dr. Kitzmiller today to discuss your symptoms and the steps involved in the accurate identification, diagnosis, and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Our Milford dental office services the Milford/Loveland and Greater Cincinnati area with personalized care for healthy living.

Hope this helps!