Sleep apnea, a rare breathing disorder, is treatable through a variety of dental treatments that target the issue at hand. Whether the cause of sleep apnea is a jaw placement or issues in the airways, it is a good idea to receive a dental evaluation. Not only is sleep apnea life-threatening during sleep, but it also often affects many factors in an individual’s life, health, and well-being.
Treatments for sleep apnea are available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. We can help determine whether your sleep apnea is due to an oral issue and discuss the treatment that would work best. Call us today at 620-317-0286 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping and breathing disorder in which breathing stops and starts periodically throughout a person’s sleep. This can have a negative impact on their oxygen levels and result in lower quality sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Central sleep apnea (CSA), and Mixed sleep apnea, and various causes for each.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, caused by a physical blockage of the airways in the throat, obstructing normal airflow. CSA results from the brain’s muscle control system and the way in which breathing signals are sent to the throat and respiratory muscles. Mixed sleep apnea, also called complex sleep apnea, refers to a person who has both OSA and CSA.
- Sleep apnea is a sleeping and breathing disorder in which breathing stops and starts periodically throughout a person’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea & Other Sleep Disorders
There are several different types of sleep disorders. Each falls into six different categories: insomnias, hypersomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep movement disorders. While insomnia is a type of sleep disorder where the patient is unable to fall or stay asleep, hypersomnia is a group of sleep disorders that cause a patient to feel excessively sleepy.
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that consist of having undesirable experiences while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. Sleep apnea can be an underlying cause of parasomnias, since intermittently losing breath inevitably puts stress on the body. The same can be said for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (where the sleep times are out of alignment) and sleep movement disorders (where movement during or before sleep interferes with sleep). Sleep apnea itself is a sleep-related breathing disorder, where there is difficulty breathing during sleep.
- There are several different types of sleep disorders.
Causes Of Sleep Apnea
Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health. Often, the pauses in breathing associated with sleep apnea are caused by flaccid muscles in the back of the throat, a too-large tongue, or a too-small jaw. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is the first sign of sleep apnea. This may cause tooth wear and breakage, along with inflamed and receding gums. Smile Solutions can conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether or not a patient has sleep apnea.
- Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health.
Symptoms & Signs Of Sleep Apnea
The brain has a way of waking us up when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen, but it only lasts for a few seconds, allowing a great amount of airflow to flow through. Therefore, many people may not realize they have sleep apnea. However, it is common that a family member or close friend will recognize that there is an issue as they might snore loudly, suddenly stop breathing, and gasp for air periodically during sleep.
Most symptoms of sleep apnea affect a patient’s overall lifestyle, which often signals that they may have a health condition. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Fatigue
- Restless sleep or insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking up several times a night to urinate
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Heartburn
- Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction
- Most symptoms of sleep apnea affect a patient’s overall lifestyle, which often signals to them that they may have a health condition.
Treating & Managing Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea may be a temporary condition resulting from a poor health habit, such as smoking, excessive eating, and alcohol or drug abuse. These can be treated by reducing or eliminating these habits and doing a few breathing exercises every day to expand the airways and increase airflow. However, sleep apnea is often caused by factors out of our control and must be treated as soon as possible to prevent other serious health conditions.
Treatments for sleep apnea include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, oral appliances, surgery, upper airway stimulation (UAS), and medication. CPAP machines deliver continuous oxygen flow via a mask during sleep. Oral appliances are custom-made devices that a dentist creates to keep the airways open. Various surgeries can be performed to solve the root problem, whether it be the sinuses, jaw, tongue, throat, or soft tissues. Upper airway stimulation involves a device connected to the chest that analyzes a person’s breathing patterns and sends signals to keep the airways open. Medications may be prescribed when these options are not suitable for a patient for any reason. We will determine the type of treatment depending on the patient’s age, type of sleep apnea, and medical conditions that may restrict certain treatments.
- Treatments for sleep apnea include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, oral appliances, surgery, upper airway stimulation (UAS), and medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Dental Terminology
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums, and/or bite.
Tooth decay occurs when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay, causing erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene, leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection, and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from the teeth.
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth, and poor oral hygiene.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar, and infections in the mouth.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
Learn More Today
Treating sleep apnea can improve your overall dental health and quality of life. We at Smile Solutions may be able to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment and learn more.