A new study suggests that chronic sleep deprivation can negatively impact the immune system, leading to an increased incidence of illness. The study, conducted by the University of Washington Health Sciences/UW Medicine, confirms how the immune system is compromised when the body is not fully rested. Many factors can cause and contribute to sleep deprivation, so it is important to recognize the signs and risk factors to combat sleep deprivation early on.

A recent study conducted by Georgia State University found that women experienced higher incidences of chronic, inflammatory pain than men and that pain medications like morphine are thereby a less effective pain management tool. According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 100 million Americans suffer from some form of chronic pain, with women compromising the bulk of that. The American Chronic Pain Association defines chronic pain as an "ongoing or recurrent pain, lasting beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than 3 to 6 months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being." [1] For many women, chronic pain can present in a variety of ways including fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches and even temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ. The Georgia State University Study sheds new light on how women are suffering substantially more than their male counterparts and why that just might be.

In the U.S., more than 10 million people suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ, and most traditional treatment options can be invasive. TMJ-related pain can affect a patient’s day-to-day life. Patients frequently suffer from chronic headaches or migraines and jaw pain. Dr. Buck specializes in treating TMJ and uses a unique approach that patients are hard-pressed to find anywhere else. His methods are different and considerably less invasive than traditional treatments for TMJ, and that’s why he’s seeing more patients choosing to seek treatment at his office.

For people who suffer from chronic pain and headaches that are symptomatic of TMJ, realigning and correcting the bite can make all the difference. TMJ patients generally suffer from a range of symptoms including chronic headaches or migraines, jaw pain, and tenderness, difficulty chewing, facial pain and locking of the temporomandibular joints. Yet, what many people don’t realize about the disorder is that a misaligned bite is almost always the root cause. With over 15 years of experience in treating TMJ patients, Dr. Buck’s unique treatment focuses on realigning the bite to relieve TMJ-related pain and symptoms.

If you’re not getting a good night’s sleep and can’t figure out why, temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ, may be to blame. TMJ is a serious condition that is characterized by pain in the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement that can impact jaw mobility, and unbeknownst to many Americans, it could be the source of their sleep loss.  

Whether you’re the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, a public relations professional helping put your company’s best face forward or a barista at a local coffee shop, your smile matters. We may not like to admit it, but having crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can change the overall attractiveness of our smile. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so for many people, fixing dental issues becomes paramount, and Dr. Buck understands that. In fact, there are many ways that a misaligned bite or crooked teeth can impact our lives.

Anthropologists have learned a great deal about human evolution from fossilized remains, and one of the most information-rich sources are human teeth. Our teeth, as well as our ancestor's teeth, tell a very specific evolutionary story, and it's a story anthropologists have been "reading" for many years. Because teeth are typically the most preserved skeletal remains found in fossils, they are a natural fit for researchers to examine.In her new book, "What Teeth Reveal about Human Evolution," Ohio State University anthropology professor Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg discusses how and why modern human teeth are vastly different from our ancestors. The thread that weaves its way through the entirety of her book is that "we have teeth that were adapted for eating a very different diet than the one we eat today"  and how, as a result, that reality can cause a number of health issues and concerns.

In a recent study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the study involving mice showed how sleep deprivation and other factors that disrupt the sleep cycle could inhibit the brain’s ability to form new memories. With somewhere between 50 and 70 million Americans suffering from a sleep disorder, sleep deprivation could be significantly more prevalent among this population. The Johns Hopkins study states that the "key purpose of sleep is to recalibrate the brain cells responsible for learning and memory so the animals can "solidify" lessons learned and use them when they awaken,"  and anything that impacts the sleep cycle could change the trajectory of human memory.

Not all breathing is created equal, and what’s surprising to many parents is how mouth-breathing is harmful to their children. Mouth-breathing in early childhood can lead to a number of health issues such as sleep deprivation and sleep apnea. In fact, current research suggests a link between poor sleep and ADHD. Dr. Buck routinely sees young patients in his practice who struggle with mouth-breathing. The goal is to get these kiddos breathing out of their noses, also known as nasal breathing. With some help and support from Dr. Buck, parents can make this happen.

Living with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can be a serious pain, and certain habits can increase pain and discomfort. With so many people suffering from this sometimes debilitating disorder, it might come as a surprise that some of those people are doing more damage by exacerbating their symptoms. In his practice, Dr. Buck treats many patients with TMJ, and he’s quick to remind them to steer clear of several harmful habits that can make their pain worse.

TMJ can be a very painful condition, and it’s often made worse when patients don’t take the diagnosis as seriously as they should. Here are several things that can make TMJ symptoms worse and one that can help.

More than 13 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and with many of those people not being treated or even diagnosed, it comes as no surprise that this treatable disorder is doing more than keeping Americans up at night; it’s costing them some serious dollars. In August 2016, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) released the results of an analysis that effectively breaks down how untreated and undiagnosed sleep apnea is costing America more than $150 billion every year. What’s perhaps more problematic is these staggering costs aren’t necessary and can be significantly reduced (if not eliminated) by properly diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.

The wide accessibility of social media platforms on electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers has given rise to a number of health conditions, including depression. In fact, the excessive use of social media among young adults could lead to an increased risk for depression as well as other health issues. According to a national survey conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health (CRMTH), "people who report using seven to 11 social media platforms had more than three times the risk of depression and anxiety than their peers who use zero to two platforms."[1] While the ability to stay plugged in in this fast-paced society has become the norm, it is fraught with peril.

Peanut allergies affect an estimated three million people in the U.S., and while there is currently no known cure or treatment, new research suggests that introducing peanut-containing foods during infancy may help prevent the development of a peanut allergy. As of January 2017, an expert panel sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) issued this new recommendation for peanut-containing foods. While these new guidelines may help reduce the incidence of children developing peanut allergies, a 2015 study suggests that genes and epigenetics also play a role.

During the winter months, the changing temperature and climate can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms, but there are ways to breathe easier and sleep well. According to a study conducted by the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, breathing problems associated with sleep apnea worsen during the winter time. Dr. Buck sees many patients who suffer from this condition, and he understands how getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge. Staying comfortable at night and sleeping well can be difficult for people living with sleep apnea, but by incorporating a few tips into your nightly routine, you can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

For people living with chronic orofacial pain, quick and appropriate treatment is paramount and can be cost-saving. According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom and published in the Journal of Dental Research, "screening patients with a well-established graded chronic pain scale could ensure that those most severely affected immediately receive specialist care -- saving money." [1] While these findings are specific to the UK and highlight disparities in treatment modalities within that part of the world, the results are still valid and may be used to better develop and improve the U.S.’s current system of care.

Scuba diving may be the unsuspecting culprit behind several dental problems. This water-based recreational activity is exhilarating for participants and has grown in popularity. Per the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s leading scuba diver training organization, it has issued more than 24 million certifications around the world. But while millions of people are taking a dive into open waters, some of those people are reporting experiencing dental problems after their deep-sea adventure. According to research conducted by the University of Buffalo, the new pilot study found that 41% of divers experienced dental symptoms. Dental issues are rarely considered a factor in the scuba diving process, but considering this new information, divers may find that consulting with their dentist prior to their excursions could be beneficial.

A properly aligned smile is no doubt nice to look at, but the functionality and health behind it are what matters most. Crooked teeth or an uneven grin can do a number on your self-confidence, but it can also be detrimental. A misaligned bite can actually wreak havoc on your health.

A misaligned bite is also referred to as a dental malocclusion, which is the misalignment or improper positioning of the teeth and jaws that can affect the bite. If left untreated, it can lead to any of the following issues or conditions:

With recent studies suggesting a link between vitamin D deficiency and a host of conditions and ailments, it is becoming even clearer how crucial vitamin D is to overall health. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), between 2001–2006, two-thirds of the population (roughly 67%) was vitamin D deficient. The human body needs vitamin D for a variety of reasons, but most importantly, vitamin D is necessary for the body to adequately absorb calcium and promote bone growth. While people can obtain a moderate amount of vitamin D through their diet by consuming certain foods, vitamin D derived from diet alone is not enough to sustain the human body. Too little vitamin D can quickly become problematic for babies and adults alike.

For patients living with Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), the pleasure of eating a favorite meal can quickly become a distant memory. Because the pain associated with TMJ can often limit the kinds of foods patients can consume, eating can quickly become a painful burden. Patients must change their diet in an effort to alleviate their pain, and that diet is often limited in scope. Dr. Buck specializes in treating patients with TMJ by utilizing a neuromuscular and epigenetics approach to treatment modalities.Because TMJ affects the muscles and joints that are responsible for chewing, TMJ often causes patients to rethink their food choices. Those food choices often become contingent on the patient’s ability to open their mouth, chew or swallow. Many foods can be difficult and even impossible for patients with TMJ to consume as a result of the associated pain or discomfort. If you’re currently experiencing a painful TMJ flare-up, steer clear of these troublesome foods:

• Raw vegetables • Hard, chewy bread like baguettes, bagels or bread with nuts and seeds• Chips• Popcorn• Nuts• Steak or other chewy meats• Processed foods with refined sugar• Foods high in salicylates such as tomatoes, hot peppers, and olives. (Salicylates have been shown to aggravate TMJ symptoms for some people, especially those with an allergy or sensitivity to it.)

When sleeping becomes difficult or interrupted for children as a result of sleep apnea, this serious disruption could lead to equally serious issues such a depression or behavioral problems. A good night’s rest is crucial for everyone, but it is especially important for children, whose minds and bodies are developing at rapid rates. A child who suffers from sleep apnea will experience interrupted breathing and disrupted sleep and is unable to obtain adequate rest. Too little sleep can have dire health consequences and can lead to depression.