First Step to Better Sleep

Do you wake up not feeling like you got a full nights rest? Do you wake up constantly because your sleeping partner snores loudly all night long? If you answer yes to either of these questions then you may want to contact Dr. Blumenstock with Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine.

Many patients come to us because their partners or family members notice heavy snoring or frequent episodes where they stop breathing while sleeping. Spouses often report pauses in breathing followed by a gasp for air. For many people who sleep alone or with partners who sleep to deeply to notice a problem there are a couple of questions you can ask to see if you suffer from sleep apnea. If you can answer "yes" to any of the questions in our sleep questionnaire then contact us to see how you can best proceed. It is your first step to better sleep, and a healthier lifestyle.

Read more on Sleep apnea treatment NJ

The Result of Sleep Deprivation

A recent blog article by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASDM) highlighted a few of the facts about sleep deprivation. The author writes, "Chronic sleep deprivation can affect attention levels, reaction time and mood, leading to decreased productivity at work, increased family stress, and potential health problems, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)."

Many of us have experienced a few nights of disturbed sleep, but eventually catch up on sleep and fall back into the usual sleep cycle. However, continual sleep deprivation caused by a sleeping disorder, or any other cause for that matter, results in daytime productivity, mood, and quality of life changes. Sleeping disorders not only disrupt your night, but also impact your level of activity during the day. 


The article also recommends the optimum amount of sleep needed for good health. For preschoolers, the best amount of sleep ranges from 11 to 13 hours a night. Older children in school should be allowed 10 to 11 hours of sleep, teens must have at least nine hours, and adults should have seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

It is important to recognize your body's need for sleep, and how it impacts your quality of life. Even if you do not suffer for a sleeping disorder, choose to not suffer from the results of chronic sleep deprivation by getting enough sleep at night. 


Read more on Dr. Norman Blumenstock and Sleep Apnea Treatments.

The Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine Mission

Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine is dedicated to helping those who suffer from sleeping disorders. We understand that sleep is very important to one's overall mental and physical health, and we strive to make sure that every patient will have restful sleep.

Our mission at the Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine is to help sleep disorder sufferers find REAL solutions to their sleep problems. Oral therapies and simple appliances can make a huge difference in your life. We encourage you to read through the vast amount of information available on our website, ask questions, and maybe do a little bit of research on your own. You will find that a good night's sleep is completely within your reach with the help of professionals from Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine.

Read more on Dr. Norman Blumenstock and Central Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine.

Additional Facts about Sleep Apnea

According to the AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine) blog, sleep experts estimate that 80 to 90 percent of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are undiagnosed and consequently untreated. 80 to 90 percent is an overwhelmingly high percentage of people who suffer while sleeping at night. Many of these people do not even realize that they have a problem. They are unaware of waking up throughout the night just to breathe. It is usually a bed partner that often detects problems associated with OSA due to loud snoring that generally accompanies the breathing disorder.

Because most dentists often see patients on a regular basis, they have the capability to screen patients for sleep apnea. There are many successful ways to test for being at risk for OSA. Ask your dentist to screen you for OSA, and if necessary recommend a sleep physician for diagnosis and treatment.

If you wake up tired, irritable, and feeling tired in the morning, then ask to be tested for OSA at your next dental appointment. It could mean a future of a full night's sleep, and a restful morning.

Read more on Dentist Norman Blumenstock and his experience with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Different Types of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Once you have met with Dr. Blumenstock, an oral appliance will be chosen to best fit your situation. There are many types of oral appliances to meet many different needs.

One option is called the SomnoMed MAS. It is a custom-made device, consisting of upper and lower dental plates with a unique feature that allows normal mouth opening and closing. The jaw is only moved as far as needed to alleviate snoring and sleep apnea. Elastic Mandibular Advancement appliance or EMA, was created for noninvasive treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Interchangeable elastic pieces on the appliance offer varying degrees of adjustment and overall TMJ comfort. Another device, the TAP, or the Thornton Adjustable Positioner, is an appliance that holds the lower jaw forward. This prevents the tongue and soft tissue of the throat from collapsing into the airway. It is easily adjusted and the adjustment handle acts as snoring volume control. As snoring is reduced, the airway is opened.

There are many other oral appliances offered by Dr. Blumenstock. The most important thing to understand is that many years of experience grant him an exceptional ability to successfully match you to the correct oral appliance.

Read more on Dr. Blumenstock.

Oral Appliances 101

There are many ways to treat sleep apnea. Besides using a CPAP machine or lifestyle change, oral appliances are an excellent option. Oral Appliance therapy is the selection, design, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance. When worn during sleep, it maintains an opened, unobstructed airway in the throat. Oral appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are devices worn in the mouth, and are similar to orthodontic retainers or mouth-guards. They have several advantages over other forms of therapy. Oral appliances are comfortable, easy to wear and care for. They are small and convenient, making them easy to carry with you when you travel. Treatment with oral appliances is a smart non-invasive solution.

After referral from a physician, you can make an appointment to receive a thorough oral examination by Dr. Blumenstock. He will then discuss all options, advantages, limitations, and consequences of an oral appliance. After you are fitted with the oral appliance that should work best for you, we’ll take any needed time to adjust the appliance to a comfortable and effective position. If you suffer from sleep apnea, make an appointment with us today!

Interview with Dr. Blumenstock, Sleep Apnea Dentist

Dr. Blumenstock has been working with sleep apnea patients for over 20 years. Earlier in his experience, he realized many of his dental patients had headaches. Many of these patients did not respond to TMJ treatments. Dr Blumenstock discovered that they all had one thing in common, sleep issues.

Before the 1980's, tracheostomy was the most common cure for people with sleep apnea. This is a surgical procedure that involves cutting a hole in the lower neck to penetrate the trachea. Later, in Australia, the first CPAP machine was invented by putting a vacuum cleaner in reverse and attaching it to the face. As time progressed, another surgical treatment for sleep apnea appeared. Surgery on the soft palate was an option for people suffering from sleeplessness. This type of surgery was not successful for every case. The surgery was successful for those patients choking in a specific location. It wasn't until oral appliances arrived that many more patients where treated successfully. Most oral appliances push the jaw and tongue forward to reduce the conditions of sleep apnea.

Today, there are many different appliances for different situations. It takes the experience of professionals like Dr. Blumenstock to know which appliance will work the best for each situation.

Read more on Sleep Apnea Dentist