03 Oct What Does Sleep Apnea Really Have to Do With Dentistry?
If you contend with a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, your dentist is probably the last person you might think could help. Your dentist, however, is exactly the person you want to see first. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and your dentist can treat that! Here’s what sleep apnea has to do with dentistry.
The Three Forms of Sleep Apnea
There are three forms of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea. OSA is by far the most common cause of sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is so named because it occurs when the tissues at the back of your throat relax over time and start blocking your airway. When that happens, your blood oxygen levels drop, and your brain wakes you from sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea
With central sleep apnea, the problem is that your brain is not sending the signals it needs to send to stimulate breathing while you’re asleep.
Complex Sleep Apnea
This is a combination of the other two types. With complex sleep apnea, the traditional treatments your dentist may use for OSA help, but they don’t completely resolve the problem. That indicates there is also a problem with the brain’s signals.
Here are the Two Most Common Treatment Options
Your dentist can diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea. First, they typically will use a sleep study to determine that you have sleep apnea, and then they will initiate some common forms of treatment to help. Here are the most common treatments your dentist will use.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is one form of treatment for OSA. An oral appliance or device worn in the mouth keeps the tissues in the back of your throat from inadvertently blocking your airway. The oral appliance will adjust the alignment of your jaw and reposition your tongue.
One of the oral appliances we use at Aesthetic Dental Partners is the TAP® Oral Appliance. It uses an upper and lower tray that looks very much like a sports mouth guard to slowly move your jaw into an optimal position over time.
With this device, you can make adjustments at home, so you don’t have to make several trips to the dentist. It can be helpful in relieving symptoms of severe cases of OSA.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is another common treatment for OSA. It provides a steadily flowing stream of pressurized air through a mask that you wear while sleeping.
This regular air pressure helps keep your airway open and prevents those pauses in breathing that cause drops in your oxygen levels. While you may not want to wear a CPAP mask, you should know that the modern masks are much lighter, quieter, and smaller than the old ones.
Call Us Today for a Better Night’s Sleep
If you think you have sleep apnea, it’s important to get it treated since it is linked to other serious health conditions. Call our office today with your questions and to set up a consultation visit. We’re passionate about helping you sleep better for a healthier life.