Would you be surprised if your dentist asked you about sleep during your routine dental exam? While it may seem like an odd question, many sleep disorders have oral indicators. By looking for signs such as tooth grinding (bruxism), small jaw size, a tongue with scalloped edges, large tonsils or redness in the throat, dentists have the unique ability to identify patients who may suffer from sleep disorders.
Sleep apnea is one such common and serious sleep disorder that affects an estimated 18 million Americans according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles and tissues in the back of the throat relax and collapse the airway while you sleep. As air tries to pass through the collapsed airway, the tissues can vibrate causing snoring. However, in some cases, the collapsed airway blocks airflow so severely that you stop breathing. This pause in airflow can last a few seconds to minutes before your body responds by waking you up, allowing airflow to resume. For some, this may occur 30 or more times per hour. This pattern of air deprivation and breath resumption is sleep apnea. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause multiple health complications including chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeat and heart attack, diabetes, depression, worsening of ADHD, and more.
In addition to identifying patients who may have sleep apnea, dentists are also uniquely able to help treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is primarily treated by using either a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device or an oral appliance made by a dentist (a mandibular advancement device). While the CPAP device opens the blocked airway by forcing air down your throat through a mask, the mandibular advancement device positions the lower jaw forward, preventing muscle collapse and maintaining an open airway. Research has shown that mandibular advancement devices can successfully prevent sleep apnea in many mild to moderate cases. It is important to note that while dentists can suspect someone has sleep apnea and refer them for a sleep study, only a medical doctor can make an official diagnosis of sleep apnea.
The next time you visit your dentist, don’t be surprised if they ask you how you sleep! Not only will we be looking for cavities and other oral ailments, but also signs of a sleep disorder. We care not only about the health of your teeth, but your overall health as well!
2872 Johnson Ferry Road • 770-993-3775 • www.cheekdental.com
Check out the original article in the EAST COBBER on page 8.