By Dennis Lucas, D.M.D. –
Dr. Dennis Lucas is certified in construction and use of the TAP and has many years of experience in jaw positioning.
Ask any person over 50, “What’s your secret for healthy aging?”, and you may be surprised by the answer.
Healthy Aging magazine asked 15,000 people this question and were they surprised by the answers they received. They were expecting the overwhelming response to be diet and fitness. Rather, what they kept hearing was the importance of mental fitness. Specifically, they emphasized the value of maintaining a positive outlook, finding strength within them selves to meet life’s challenges, including aging, head-on.
So, if you’re one of those millions of Baby Boomers who are convinced that a firm, trim body is the single most important thing you need to age healthily, there’s a key lesson to be learned from those who answered the Healthy Aging Challenge. It’s a positive mental attitude that will see you through your golden years.
Healthy aging is a simple, yet difficult process, with the key word to success being RESPONSIBILITY.
Accepting responsibility for your health, education, and overall welfare is essential.
We are what we are because of the decisions we make. Good habits contribute immeasurably to healthy aging.
So what contributes to a positive mental attitude?
Creativity? Spirituality? Meditation? Sure doing things that you enjoy, combined with good habits will bring balance to your life; and balance in your life will nourish your body and soul, but the one thing that we often overlook the importance of sleep. So I ask you:
HOW WELL DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?
We have all heard the saying when you feel good, you look good right? How do you feel after a poor nights’ sleep? For that matter how do you look after a poor nights’ sleep? So often we are not the only one our poor sleeping patterns affect. Often times our sleep partners suffer along with us.
One of nature’s cruel jokes is that men snore more while their female mates tend to be lighter sleepers. Intriguingly, a woman’s sleep quality may predict marital happiness.
And as we men all know, that in itself can affect positive mental attitude. But I digress.
Adequate sleep is certainly one of the pillars of good health.
There are nearly 20 million people in the U.S. that suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). That is roughly the same amount as have diabetes. Simply stated OSA is when one stops breathing while sleeping due to obstruction of the airway. We wake ourselves (and our partners) up when we regain our breath usually with a snort-like sound.
So what is the answer?
OSA suffers are familiar with the common CPAP therapy. Unfortunately, most people who use the CPAP devise do not continue with it. Let’s all agree: learning that you are faced with wearing a Darth Vader-like contraption every night can be daunting.
Is there a better answer?
TAP (Thortan Adjustable Positioner.) This appliance can be fabricated and fitted by a specially trained dentist to gradually reposition the jaw, and open your airway and drastically improve your sleep patterns.
The TAP is a simple, patient-friendly treatment solution. The TAP is a custom-made adjustable appliance that is worn while sleeping. The trays of the appliance, which look like teeth whitening trays, snap over the upper and lower teeth and hook together. The TAP holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it does not shift or fall open during the night. This prevents the airway from collapsing. The more you pull the jaw forward, the more your airway will open.
Let’s talk about how you slept last night.
Give our office a call to schedule your complimentary consultation to see how the TAP will benefit you, your partner, and how a good nights’ sleep will improve both your positive mental attitudes.
Dennis Lucas D.M.D.
1000 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 302 Naples, Florida 34102 | 239-262-5851