Do You Snore? Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
If you have been told that you snore or if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, please mention it to your dentist.
Sleep Disordered Breathing Is Serious
What is it? Sleep Disordered Breathing is a term that encompasses a continuum of symptoms and diagnoses. Some sleep disorders are due to physical abnormalities that can be treated by a physician, while other disorders can be treated by a physician and a dentist working together. People with Sleep Disordered Breathing may “only” snore, or they may actually have a lower oxygen saturation which results in slight arousals during sleep. Their airway might partially collapse, and some people actually stop breathing multiple times per night.
Who Is at Risk?
- Men with a neck measurement over 16.5 inches, women with a neck measurement over 15 inches
- Anyone who snores
- Males have a higher likelihood than females
- Anyone with hypothyroidism
- Anyone who has been told they gasp during sleep
- Anyone over the age of 50
- Anyone with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 35
- Anyone with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes or depression
- Anyone with unusual daytime fatigue
- Anyone with morning headaches
- Anyone who has difficulty concentrating during the day
Why Is This Important?
We care about our patients and their health. Oral health can affect the rest of the body, and problems with sleep can also affect oral health.
There are a variety of treatments for patients who have sleep-disordered breathing. The doctors and staff have undergone additional training and are now able to partner with physicians to help treat sleep-disordered breathing. Each patient has a unique situation and while some may need a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, others will benefit from an individualized oral appliance similar to a mouthguard. Your dentist and the dental team can use a special computer and breathing apparatus to measure your oxygen intake and create a mouthguard for you.
Talk to the staff at Library Park Dental today to get more information on how we can help you improve your sleep and your life!
Sources: Cleveland Clinic Medical Education http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/pulmonary/sleep-disordered-breathing/
Medscape http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/870192-overview
Health: Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/sleep-apnea-wakes-up-heart-disease