Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment

If you are seeing Dr. Kennedy for a routine exam, do not be surprised if he asks you questions about your sleep. Many dentists are able to detect sleep apnea — a potentially life-threatening disorder — before general physicians do. When left untreated, sleep apnea can affect quality of life and health significantly, and early detection could save a life.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the tissues at the back of the throat collapse during sleep, blocking the airway and obstructing oxygen flow — causing snoring or sputtering. In advanced cases, these cessations can happen hundreds of times per night.

Because individuals with sleep apnea are constantly waking up, they don't get the quality restful sleep their bodies need. A chronically exhausted person is vulnerable to automobile or workplace accidents, and is more likely to be obese. Studies show sleep apnea can raise the risk of stroke, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Dentists are at the forefront of sleep apnea detection because some of the signs appear in the mouth first — tooth grinding (bruxism) wears down tooth surfaces, and dry mouth on waking can also signal a sleep disorder.

Signs You May Suffer from Sleep Apnea

• Loud, uncontrollable snoring
• Waking up feeling exhausted despite a full night of sleep
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or performing other cognitive functions

Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

If you experience these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or Dr. Kennedy. He can refer you to a sleep medicine specialist for a sleep study. While Dr. Kennedy is very knowledgeable about sleep apnea, he cannot formally diagnose it. If a sleep specialist confirms the condition, Dr. Kennedy can fit you for a special oral appliance to prevent further episodes.

Types of Sleep Apnea

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) — the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) — the airway is blocked by tissue at the back of the tongue, throat or nose; the most common type
• Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA) — a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea

Am I at Risk?

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, but risk increases with:

• Being male (men are twice as likely as women)
• Being age 40 or older
• Being overweight or obese — excess weight around the chin, neck or abdomen
• Family history of sleep apnea
• A lower jaw smaller than the upper jaw
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Regular use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
• Smoking

Health Risks of Sleep Apnea

High blood pressure: severe sleep apnea can elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of major cardiovascular problems.

Heart disease: untreated sleep apnea puts patients at risk of irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure — and can worsen existing heart failure.

Stroke: the more severe the apnea, the greater the risk of stroke from decreased oxygen saturation and vascular changes.

Diabetes: disrupted breathing increases carbon dioxide and insulin resistance, worsening diabetes symptoms.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Turnagain Dental uses oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea. For mild to moderate cases, oral appliances keep the tongue from blocking the throat or reposition the lower jaw — keeping the airway unobstructed during sleep and reducing disrupted breathing.

Compared with other treatments, oral appliance therapy offers:

• Improved daytime symptoms — less fatigue, moodiness and difficulty concentrating
• Elimination of snoring
• An ideal solution for patients who can't tolerate CPAP
• Custom, comfortable fit — quiet, portable and electricity-free