Restore quality sleep, and prevent scary complications with sleep apnea treatment at the dentist’s office
The dentist’s office may seem like an unlikely place to treat sleep problems. But poor quality sleep and chronic daytime fatigue may be rooted in sleep-disordered breathing.
As an oral anatomy and function specialist, Dr. Abel Aguilar is well-versed in identifying and treating conditions such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Not all dentists in Manchester, Shiloh, Warm Springs, Greenville, Luthersville, and greater western and central Georgia are as equipped to resolve these conditions.
Manchester Dental can work in partnership with other healthcare providers, including family physicians and sleep specialists, to resolve these problems that cause so much stress to the sufferer and the entire household. Furthermore, depending on the nature of the condition, SDBs and related conditions are associated with a range of systemic health problems. So, effective and prompt treatment is essential.
Simply snoring … or something else?
A reported 80 million people in North America snore. Still, habitual snoring affects at least twice as many people as those numbers indicate – including children, long-suffering spouses and partners, and other household members.
The snore itself is produced when the tissues in your throat relax during sleep. As this process occurs, the airway becomes narrowed. So, when you breathe, the air passes by lax tissues and produces that characteristic rattling and rumbling sound. For around half of habitual snorers, snoring is secondary to other conditions. These conditions may include OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). Secondary snoring also produces a characteristic, loud and frequent sound. Additionally, this type of snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing and other concerns, such as abrupt and loud gasping upon awakening.
The threats of obstructive sleep apnea
Lax tissues may entirely block the flow of air into your lungs. This obstruction persists until your brain panics and wakes you up, frequently with a start and a snort. Also, the breathing pauses associated with sleep apnea often last for 10 seconds or longer. This cycle of sleeping and sudden reawakening may be repeated dozens of times each hour. No wonder patients with sleep apnea never seem to get a good night’s rest, no matter how long they remain in bed. In addition to daytime fatigue and its potential to increase your risk of being involved in worksite and road accidents, untreated sleep apnea is also associated with an increased risk of developing:
- Cognitive impairment
- Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Depressed mood
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Relieve snoring, and sleep apnea with ease!
Surgical techniques to alter obstruction have success rates of between 20% and 40%. Additionally, other “standards,” such as CPAP therapy, have low compliance rates. Patients tend not to use this therapy due to having to wear a mask during sleep and because of the noise and hassle associated with maintaining the CPAP machine.
Oral appliances prescribed by dental professionals like Dr. Aguilar are non-invasive, comfortable, and cost-effective. There is a multitude of different device designs, and all are carefully selected to each patient’s needs and customized to address specific anatomical challenges. These appliances include mandibular advancement devices, which reposition the jaw. This repositioning alters the placement of the offending throat tissues. So they no longer block your airway during sleep. Other tongue-stabilizing devices can hold the jaw forward and away from the back of the throat. In turn, this muscle no longer obstructs the airway when you relax and sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Can children develop sleep apnea or chronic snoring?
Yes. Obstructive sleep apnea can affect people of any age, including children. In children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids are common contributors. Obesity, differences in facial or airway development, certain medical conditions and exposure to tobacco smoke may also increase a child’s risk.
Possible warning signs include frequent or loud snoring, mouth breathing, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, bed-wetting, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and behavioral changes.
A dentist may identify signs or symptoms that suggest an increased risk for a sleep-related breathing disorder, but a medical provider makes the diagnosis. If Dr. Abel Aguilar or a member of the Manchester Dental team identifies a concern, we can recommend that the child be evaluated by a pediatrician, sleep physician, ear, nose and throat specialist, or another qualified medical provider.
Can sleep position affect snoring?
Yes. Some people snore more while sleeping on their backs because the tongue and soft tissues may move toward the back of the throat and narrow the airway. Sleeping on one’s side may reduce snoring and breathing interruptions in certain individuals.
However, changing sleep position does not diagnose or reliably treat every case of obstructive sleep apnea. Frequent snoring—particularly when accompanied by gasping, choking, witnessed pauses in breathing, morning headaches or excessive daytime sleepiness—should be medically evaluated.
Does aging increase the risk of sleep apnea?
The risk of obstructive sleep apnea generally increases with age. Changes in muscle tone, body composition and airway anatomy may make the upper airway more likely to narrow or collapse during sleep.
However, sleep apnea should not be dismissed as a normal or unavoidable part of aging. It is a potentially serious medical condition, and patients with symptoms should speak with a qualified medical provider about appropriate testing and treatment.
Can snoring or sleep-related breathing problems affect my oral health?
They may contribute to oral health concerns, particularly when they are associated with mouth breathing or dry mouth. Saliva helps protect the teeth and oral tissues. When saliva flow is reduced, the risk of tooth decay, bad breath, oral irritation and gum problems may increase.
Dry mouth can have many causes, including medications and certain medical conditions, so it is important to determine what may be contributing to the problem. Manchester Dental can evaluate your oral health, recommend ways to protect your teeth and gums, and coordinate with your medical provider when appropriate.
Should I track my snoring before seeking an evaluation?
Keeping a sleep journal may provide useful information. Record how often you snore, whether someone has noticed gasping or pauses in your breathing, how often you awaken, whether you experience morning headaches or dry mouth, and how rested or alert you feel during the day.
A phone recording or information from a sleeping partner may also help describe your symptoms. However, these observations cannot confirm or rule out sleep apnea. A qualified medical provider may recommend a sleep study to establish a diagnosis and determine the severity of the condition.
Can untreated sleep apnea affect exercise performance?
Untreated sleep apnea can repeatedly interrupt sleep and reduce sleep quality. This may contribute to daytime fatigue, decreased alertness, reduced stamina and difficulty recovering from physical activity.
Effective treatment may improve sleep quality and daytime functioning, but results vary among patients. A physician or sleep specialist should diagnose sleep apnea, recommend treatment and monitor the condition.
Will I need follow-up visits after receiving treatment?
Yes. Follow-up care is an important part of sleep-apnea treatment. The type of follow-up needed depends on the treatment prescribed.
If a physician recommends oral-appliance therapy and Dr. Aguilar determines that you are an appropriate candidate, Manchester Dental will monitor the appliance’s fit, comfort and condition. We will also evaluate your teeth, bite, jaw joints and oral tissues and make adjustments when appropriate.
Your physician or sleep specialist remains responsible for monitoring the medical condition. Follow-up sleep testing may be necessary to confirm that treatment is effectively controlling the sleep apnea. Patients should continue appointments with both their dental and medical providers as directed.
Can lifestyle habits make snoring or sleep apnea worse?
Certain factors may increase snoring or worsen obstructive sleep apnea. These can include alcohol consumption near bedtime, smoking, sedating medications, insufficient or irregular sleep, and excess body weight.
Healthy lifestyle changes may improve symptoms for some patients, but they should not replace a professional evaluation or prescribed treatment. Anyone who snores frequently or experiences choking, gasping, witnessed pauses in breathing, morning headaches or excessive daytime sleepiness should discuss these symptoms with a qualified medical provider.
Manchester Dental can screen for signs and risk factors associated with sleep-related breathing disorders, discuss dental treatment options when appropriate, and work collaboratively with your physician or sleep specialist. A medical provider must diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and determine the appropriate medical treatment.
The information provided here is general and is not a substitute for individualized medical or dental advice.
Relief is a consultation away and in your backyard! Call your neighborhood dentist and home for quality, compassionate care: Manchester Dental. We can be reached at (706) 981-6272. We welcome your questions and look forward to meeting you.
