If you are a heavy snorer and even after a full night's sleep, you wake up feeling tired and drained, chances are you could be suffering from Sleep Disordered Breathing or SDB.

Basically, SDB is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.

As mentioned above, the symptoms of SDB are typically heavy snoring and that feeling of tiredness even after the night's sleep.

The good news is that if you are a sufferer of SDB, you don't have to put up with it.

While lifestyle changes such as weight loss can make a difference, often additional help is needed to address the debilitating effects of SDB.

In June 2005, Gerber Dental Group became the proud new owner of Australia's first i-CAT.

The i-CAT provides complete views of all oral and maxillofacial structures in an easy to use system that allows us to, amongst other diagnoses, to determine any airway constriction that may be causing SDB.

Recently, we had a patient who had been grinding his teeth during sleep.  Using the i-CAT, Dr Andrew Gerber [link to team page on site], principle dentist at Gerber Dental Group, was able to determine that this patient had only 40% of his airway open.

With the aid of Dr Gerber's network of sleep treatment professionals, Gerber Dental Group was able to treat this patient with a full diagnoses and treatment needs.

The end result?  The patient was fitted with a SomnoDent for his Sleep Disordered Breathing which has allowed him to sleep normally, uninterrupted and wake up refreshed with more energy.

You can read about Dr Gerber's treatment and the SomnoDent Patient Story here.

For more information or help with any sleep disorders you may be suffering from, contact Gerber Dental Group or call today on 07 5576 4923.

Have your teeth lost their natural sparkle?

If your teeth are stained or yellow, tooth whitening treatments are a safe way to restore natural-looking whiteness.

You can have whiter teeth in just over an hour when you choose the Zoom! whitening process at our dental practice. Or you can take away a tooth whitening kit to use in the comfort of your own home.

Do I need tooth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment. That means it can improve the way your teeth look, but it doesn't have any benefits for your oral health.

Many people now choose teeth whitening to remove stains or discolouration caused by:

• tobacco stains from smoking
• food and drink stains (red wine, beetroot, tea and coffee)
• natural ageing
• certain medications

How does teeth whitening work?

You can choose between two whitening methods with Gerber Dental Group.

1. At our dental practice

We use the Zoom! professional tooth whitening system to make your teeth 6 to 10 shades lighter in just over an hour. The procedure is safe and painless.

We'll explain what the treatment involves and the results you can expect during your consultation. Before we start your treatment, we'll place a plastic retractor in your mouth to make sure it stays open and cover your lips, gums and tongue to make sure they aren't affected.

Our clinical team will then apply the whitening gel to your teeth. The gel is activated using ultraviolet (UV) light in four sessions lasting 15 minutes each. During these sessions, your eyes will be protected from the light by a UV filter.

2. In your home

If you prefer to use a take-home tooth whitening kit, your treatment will take longer and your results will be more unpredictable.

The treatment involves filling a specially designed tray with whitening gel and placing this tray over your teeth for up to 30 minutes at a time. We normally recommend no more than three sessions every one or two days, and most people achieve their desired results in two weeks.

Am I suitable for teeth whitening?

The Zoom! teeth whitening process is completely safe, but it won't be effective for everyone. We'll check whether you're suitable during your consultation and make sure you know what results you can expect.

This treatment does not whiten dental work such as crowns, veneers, dentures or fillings. You may be unsuitable for teeth whitening if your teeth have been discoloured by tetracycline medication or fluorosis, or if your teeth are more grey in colour than yellow or brown.

We don't recommend this treatment if you're pregnant or lactating, receiving PUVA or other photo-chemotherapeutic drugs, or if you are particularly sensitive to light. You should consult with your doctor before having this treatment if you have diabetes, melanoma or a heart condition.

Keep your teeth 'Whiter for Life'

Tooth whitening is a temporary solution, but you can make sure the whiteness doesn't fade by following your dentist's advice about taking care of your teeth, keeping up with your routine dental appointments and having repeat treatments every year.

When you choose tooth whitening at Gerber Dental Group, you'll become a member of our Whiter for Life Club. We'll help you to maintain your new smile by sending you FREE top-up gel every time you need it.

Find out more about tooth whitening in Burleigh Heads.

When it comes to your dental health, prevention is always better than the cure.

Seeing your dentist regularly and taking proper care of your teeth and gums is the best way to help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other serious problems from affecting your oral and general health.

That's why at Gerber Dental Group, we've developed a two-step preventative care program that helps you to stay healthy, save money and improve your dental health for life.

Why is preventative dentistry so important?

If you only visit your dentist when you already have a toothache, bleeding gums or other symptoms of an oral health condition, it may already be too late to save your tooth and stop infections from spreading.

Most oral health problems are preventable. If a problem does develop, catching it at an early stage means it will be easier and less expensive to treat, not to mention helping you avoid all that pain and discomfort.

What does preventative dental care involve?

When you visit our dental practice, we'll offer preventative care for your oral health in two stages.

1. Examining your mouth

Your dentist and hygienist will examine your mouth in detail, looking for any signs of dental cavities (tooth decay), periodontal disease (gum disease) and other dental diseases. We'll also check whether there are any issues with your bite or your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Your examination also includes digital radiography (x-rays) to give us a more in-depth look at your mouth and an oral cancer screening. We'll discuss the results of your check-up and order any medications or treatments that you need.

2. Cleaning your teeth

It's also important that any dental plaque and stains are removed from your teeth to reduce the risk of problems occurring. As well as removing these deposits, the fluoride solution we use will also help to strengthen your teeth by protecting them against bacteria and further decay.

How often should I visit the dentist?

For most people, we recommend that you visit your dentist every six months. This interval is usually enough to catch most oral health problems before they have a chance to progress.

If you're at higher risk of getting a oral health disease, we may recommend that you visit us every three or four months so we can keep a closer watch on your oral health.

The more often you visit your dentist, the less chance there is that you'll need an extensive dental procedure later on.

Help us to help you

Preventative dentistry can only be successful if you take an active role in looking after your oral health. After we examine your mouth and clean your teeth, we give every patient personalised oral hygiene instructions to make sure you know how to take good care of your teeth and gums every day.

Speak to our dentists in Burleigh Heads to find out more about our preventative care program and make an appointment.

If you're looking for a more relaxed destination on the Gold Coast, welcome to Burleigh Heads.

This chilled-out suburb might not have the high-budget attractions of nearby Surfers Paradise, but you won't find a better place to lose yourself in the beauty of South East Queensland from the crashing waves to the fragrant pines.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or looking for things to do with friends or family, here are five experiences you won't want to miss while you're in Burleigh.

1. Catch the waves at Burleigh Beach

For many people, the name Burleigh Heads is synonymous with surfing. There are good reasons for that the breaks at Burleigh Beach and the Esplanade are legendary, while beginner surfers can get in some practice in the protected areas all year round.

2. Explore Burleigh Heads National Park

Look inland to see more of Burleigh's natural beauty in the Heritage-listed national park that runs all along the headland. Hit the walking trails to take in the ocean views and listen to the bird song or head straight to sheltered Tallebudgera Creek for snorkelling and kayaking.

3. Meet the critters at David Fleay Wildlife Park

While you're at Tallebudgera Creek, don't miss the chance to see your favourite native Australian animals up close at David Fleay Wildlife Park. You'll meet emus, dingoes, koalas, kangaroos, crocs, dunnarts, brolgas and bilbies, and don't leave without saying hi to Wally the platypus.

4. See how craft beer's made at Burleigh Brewing

The Burleigh Brewing Company is one of Queensland's great craft beer success stories. You can see how their award-winning brews are made by taking a tour of their new state-of-the-art brewery, which opened its doors in March 2016. You'll also have the chance to taste your favourites fresh from the barrel.

5. Pick up boutique bargains at the Village Markets

Burleigh Heads' Village Markets was named the Gold Coast's Best Market of 2015, so make sure you leave time for souvenir shopping before you head home. With more than 100 stalls selling clothing, artworks, homewares and unique handicrafts made by talented local designers, the Village Markets are the best place in the Gold Coast to find vintage and current fashion at cheap prices.

Visit our dental practice in beautiful Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is a great place to visit and an even better place to live. Our dentists at Gerber Dental Group are proud to call this beautiful region our home, and we welcome patients from all over the Gold Coast and surrounding areas.

Contact our team to find out more about our Burleigh Heads practice or to make an appointment. Find us at Stockland Shopping Centre on West Burleigh Road or call us on 07 5576 4923.