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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and you can’t get an adequate breath in. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. Sleep is meant to be peaceful and consistent, to repair your sleeping habits, contact Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS to discuss treatment options.


There are two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive (OSA) is the more common of the two forms of apnea and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.  People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may not be aware that their sleep is being interrupted. Also, you don’t have to snore to have this condition so it’s important to seek treatment immediately.


If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea or sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person repeatedly stops and starts breathing during sleep. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, which is a physical obstruction of the airway that delays breathing during sleep. If you wake up feeling fatigued after a full night’s rest, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS to rule out sleep apnea.


In central sleep apnea, breathing is regularly disrupted during sleep because of the way the brain functions. The symptoms remain the same; therefore, if you experience morning headaches, restless sleep, or chronic fatigue, it’s important to receive a proper diagnosis and explore your treatment options.  When central sleep apnea occurs, you may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep.


If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea or sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Crowns Restore Smiles

Crowns are a common restorative option to repair teeth with a significant amount of decay or teeth that are chipped.  Before a tooth reaches the point of needed to be extracted or replaced with an implant, Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can restore the tooth with a crown. The process of installing a crown is a standard and non-invasive procedure that can typically completed in two appointments.


The process of fitting a patient with a custom crown begins with the dentist removing any decay from the damaged tooth.  A crown fits over the tooth like a little cap, and to ensure a great fit for the crown, the dentist may need to contour the tooth that remains.  When the tooth has been prepared, an impression of the mouth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for the custom product to be fabricated.  Once the custom crown is made, it is cemented into place by the dentist at a second appointment. 


To learn more about crowns and all the services we provide at the practice, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Flossing Properly

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we want to see the families we provide for continue healthy oral care routines at home.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to floss effectively:



  • A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.

  • The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.

  •  Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Gently rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.

  •  As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.


To learn more about dental hygiene and the services we offer at the practice, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.