Understanding Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which an obstruction blocks part or all of the patient’s upper airway during sleep, requiring the diaphragm and chest muscles to work harder to bring air into the lungs. This can cause the patient’s breathing to become shallow or even stop temporarily. When breathing resumes, it may be accompanied by a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk. Many people are unaware that they have this condition and may think they are simply not getting enough sleep. Dentists may be able to recognize and treat the signs of sleep apnea with dental treatments in Tonawanda, as the symptoms of this condition often affect the mouth and jaw.
“Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where patients have something blocking (or obstructing) part or all of their upper airway in their sleep, forcing the diaphragm and chest muscles to work harder to pull air into the lungs.”
Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep Disorders
There are various types of sleep disorders, which are classified into six categories: insomnias, hypersomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep movement disorders. Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person has difficulty falling or staying asleep. Hypersomnia is a group of sleep disorders that cause excessive sleepiness. Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that involve having unpleasant experiences during the process of falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. Sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by difficulty breathing during sleep, can be a contributing factor to parasomnias and other sleep disorders such as circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (when sleep times are misaligned) and sleep movement disorders (when movement during or before sleep disrupts sleep).
“There are several different types of sleep disorders.”
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Many people are unaware of the connection between sleep apnea and dental health. Sleep apnea is often caused by weak muscles in the back of the throat, a too-large tongue, or a too-small jaw. One of the first signs of sleep apnea is tooth grinding, or bruxism, which can lead to tooth wear and breakage, as well as inflamed and receding gums. At Bison Dentistry in Tonawanda, we help with sleep disorders by performing 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.”
Recognizing Sleep Apnea
Certain groups may be more at risk of developing sleep apnea than others. For example, age increases the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, and the condition is more common in younger men than in younger women. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor diet, can also contribute to the risk of sleep apnea. Making healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing this condition.
It is important to be able to recognize the signs of sleep apnea. Some common symptoms to watch out for include a sore throat upon waking, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, decreased libido, waking up during the night, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Children may have different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults, such as bedwetting, choking, drooling, excessive nighttime sweating, learning and behavior issues, and problems at school. Ask our team at Bison Dentistry about our sleep apnea dental treatments in Tonawanda.
“Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can still travel safely with sleep apnea. For best results, you should take your CPAP machine and other dental appliances with you—particularly on any trips that will take longer than one or two days.
There is a direct correlation between sleep apnea and other health issues, like high blood pressure. Constantly waking up in the middle of the night puts stress on your body, causing the hormone systems to work overtime and increase blood pressure. The low oxygen and stress associated with sleep apnea are also related to heart disease.
No. Snoring is very common. However, snoring that wakes you up in the middle of the night can be a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring associated with sleep apnea also tends to be deeper, louder, and more consistent. It may also be interrupted with gasps, choking, or pauses. Patients should see a doctor if they experience a combination of any of these symptoms.
The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that over 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Furthermore, they estimate that as much as 80 percent of moderate and severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Unfortunately, no. However, there are many different ways you can minimize and manage the symptoms of sleep apnea.
