If you’re constantly tired no matter how long you sleep, or if your snoring is loud enough to wake the whole house, you might be dealing with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common but serious condition. Many people don’t realize that their dentist could be a key ally in solving this problem.
While a medical doctor typically makes the official diagnosis, dentists play a crucial and growing role in treating sleep apnea. Your dentist can offer comfortable and effective solutions that can dramatically improve your sleep and overall health.
Can Your Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea? The Surprising Connection
What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to over a minute and can happen dozens of times an hour. Every time your breathing stops, your brain panics and forces you to wake up just enough to gasp for air. You might not remember these micro-awakenings, but they severely disrupt your sleep cycle.
Without treatment, sleep apnea does more than just make you tired. It puts a major strain on your body. Your risk for serious health problems go up, like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It can also cause brain fog, mood swings, and depression.
How Can a Dentist Spot a Sleep Problem?
You might wonder what sleep apnea has to do with your teeth. During a routine dental check-up, your dentist is looking at more than just cavities. They’re examining the entire structure of your mouth, which is the gateway to your airway. Here are several clear signs that can point to a potential sleep breathing problem:
- Worn or Chipped Teeth: This is often a sign of bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding. Your body may be grinding your teeth as an unconscious attempt to open up a blocked airway.
- A Large Tongue or Tonsils: If your tongue is relatively large for your mouth, or if you have large tonsils, they can fall back and block your throat when you sleep.
- A Small Jaw or Crowded Teeth: These physical traits can mean you have a narrower airway to begin with. It’ll be much easier for a blockage to happen.
- Red, Irritated Throat: Constant snoring and struggling to breathe at night can cause a red and irritated throat.
When a dentist sees these signs, they can be the first healthcare professional to suggest you might have sleep apnea. They can recommend you see a sleep specialist for a formal diagnosis, or suggest treatments if you already have.
The Dental Solution: Oral Appliance Therapy
If you’re diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, your dentist can provide a custom-made oral appliance. An oral appliance is an effective alternative to a CPAP machine. It’s best for mild to moderate cases.
Think of this as a specialized mouthguard you wear while you sleep. But instead of protecting your teeth from grinding, its job is to hold your jaw in a slightly forward position. This simple adjustment pulls your tongue and the soft tissues at the back of your throat forward. The device will keep your airway open and prevent those dangerous breathing pauses.
Why do many people prefer this over a CPAP? A CPAP machine uses a mask and a hose to push air into your airway. While very effective, some people find the mask uncomfortable, claustrophobic, or noisy. An oral appliance is:
- Small and Portable: It fits in a small case, making it easy for travel.
- Silent: It doesn’t require a machine, so it’s completely quiet.
- Comfortable: Because it’s custom-fitted to your teeth, most people find it much more comfortable to wear.
Your dentist will design, fit, and adjust the appliance to ensure it’s both effective and comfortable. Regular follow-up visits to monitor your progress will keep the device working its best.
Teamwork for Better Sleep
Treating sleep apnea often works best as a team effort. Your dentist doesn’t replace your doctor because they work with them. The process usually looks like this:
- Your dentist notices the signs and refers you to a sleep specialist.
- The sleep specialist performs a sleep study, which you can often do at home, to confirm the diagnosis.
- If an oral appliance is the right choice, the sleep specialist will send you back to your dentist to have one made.
- Your dentist and doctor continue to communicate to ensure the treatment is working effectively.
Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep
If you’re struggling with chronic fatigue, loud snoring, or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and can’t use a CPAP, it’s time to talk to Dr. Goyal. Our team can perform an oral health evaluation specifically looking for sleep apnea risk factors. Then we can discuss if an oral appliance is a good option for you.
At Frederick Center for Dentistry, we understand the critical link between oral health and overall wellness. We are trained in providing oral appliance therapy as a comfortable and effective solution for sleep apnea.
Don’t spend another night struggling for air. Contact our office today at 301-264-5680 or schedule a consultation online. Let’s work together to find a sleep solution that helps you wake up feeling refreshed and protects your long-term health.