Almost 18 million Americans suffer from the disorder sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s airways become obstructed during sleep. One of the treatment for sleep apnea is an oral appliance. South Charlotte Dentistry can help fit you with a handcrafted oral appliance. These appliances are worn similar to a retainer or a night guard while you sleep. They move the jaw forward which reduces the air resistance against your muscles. Oral appliances are often an alternative to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or oral surgery.
During a sleep apnea episode, a person cannot breath and the brain does not get the oxygen it needs. The brain then sends a signal to the body, forcing a person to gasp or loudly struggle to inhale. The process puts dangerous stress on the body. There are several long term affects that may occur if sleep apnea is left untreated.
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Depression
- ADHD symptoms becoming worse
Most people suffer from one of two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep and blocks your airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when there is a problem with how the brain is signaling your breathing muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common than central sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, at any age; but men are more likely to develop it. There are several factors that many make you more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. If you:
- Are over 40
- Are overweight
- Have large tongue or tonsils
- Have a family history of sleep apnea
- Have issues with nasal obstructions (deviated septum, sinus problems, allergies)
Sometimes, snoring can be an indicator of sleep apnea but in some cases it is just a light wheezing. The best way to find out if you snore loudly is to ask some who is aware of your sleep patterns, like a roommate or partner. Ask them if you stop breathing for several seconds throughout the night or if your snoring can be heard through a closed door.
If you don’t have someone who is aware of your sleep habits, there are other ways to tell if you may have sleep apnea. If you experience extreme daytime sleepiness, to the point that you can sit down where ever you are and fall asleep, this could be a warning sign. Consider looking at the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The ESS measure a person’s daytime sleepiness. It is a questionnaire in which a person answers how likely, from 0-3, they are to fall asleep during eight different activities.
- Sitting and reading
- Watching TV
- Sitting inactive in a public place
- As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
- Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
- Sitting talking to someone
- Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
- In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
Sleep apnea can be formally diagnosed through a sleep study. Consult with both your doctor and your dentist to see if an oral appliance might be right for you. Whether you’re an existing patient at South Charlotte Dentistry or need to establish a relationship with a dental care team, call us at 704.759.0908 to see how dental care can be part of your overall health care.
By Sarah Kucharski
Writer, South Charlotte DDS
Writer, CCP Web Design
