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.