How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea Houston, TX
Many individuals are unaware that oral health can affect other systemic conditions, such as sleep apnea. Unfortunately, this often includes traditional dentists, who tend to focus more on treating patients' isolated dental conditions. In reality, appropriate sleep dentistry requires a strong understanding of the oral-health connection.
Sleep dentistry is available at MB Dental at Heights in Houston and the surrounding area. Choosing a total health dentist may be what you need to ensure your overall well-being. Call us today at (281) 885-8608 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Sleep Apnea and Airway Dentistry
Airway dentistry is an emerging branch of dentistry that focuses on a patient's oral structure and how it affects breathing. Airway dentists search for signs of sleep-disordered breathing by searching for any abnormal oral development, such as tongue position, tooth wear, and extra tissues in the back of the throat. This form of dentistry can help diagnose and treat patients with upper airway resistance syndrome and various types of sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea.
Both upper airway resistance syndrome and obtrusive sleep apnea involve the relaxation of the throat's soft tissue. This reduces the size of the airway, resulting in disturbed sleep and daytime impairment. Though airway obstruction symptoms depend on its exact cause, typical signs involve agitation, confusion, cyanosis (bluish-colored skin), difficulty breathing, gasping for air, panic, high-pitched breathing noises, and unconsciousness. Most sleep-disordered breathing is caused by resistance in the airway.
“Most sleep-disordered breathing is caused by resistance in the airway.”
Understanding Sleep Apnea
There are several kinds of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. In this condition, something blocks (or obstructs) part or all of the patient's upper airway while they sleep. This forces the diaphragm and chest muscles to overcompensate to pull air into the lungs. As a result, the patient's breathing may become very shallow or even briefly stop altogether. When the patient eventually begins to breathe again, they may experience a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk.
Since this condition is only observable to an outsider, many patients may mistakenly believe that they are only suffering from poor sleep. However, sleep apnea symptoms often take a toll on the mouth and jaw, making it possible for total health dentists to recognize the condition. Common signs of sleep apnea include worn tooth surfaces, receding gums, increased cavities, a small jaw, scalloped edges on the tongue, or redness in the throat. Dentists may recommend patients with these telltale signs to partake in a sleep study, as only medical doctors can make an official sleep apnea diagnosis.
“…symptoms of sleep apnea often take a toll on the mouth and jaw, making it possible for total health dentists to recognize the condition.”
Treating Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options available for sleep apnea, including oral appliances. To use oral appliances, patients must first have impressions taken of their teeth and return for a fitting at a later appointment. Depending on their situation, some patients may need to undergo another sleep test while wearing the device to ensure that it is in working order. Since these devices do not require any electricity, they are relatively unobtrusive and travel-friendly. However, they may require further office visits for any necessary adjustments.
Patients who require more advanced treatment may want to consider continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines or surgery. As these treatments are more involved, they may require a referral to a sleep specialist. No matter how serious the case, MB Dental at Heights can help patients determine the right treatment for them.
“There are several treatment options available for sleep apnea, including oral appliances.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea in Houston, TX
Sleep Apnea and Systemic Health
Sleep apnea is one of the most well-known and most common sleep disorders affecting Americans today. Though its exact cause is still unknown, some experts argue that it should be classified as a systemic disease. This is due primarily to the undeniable presence of intense local and systemic inflammation and the various phenomena associated with the disorder (including modifications in the autonomic nervous system).
Furthermore, it is possible that obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of developing some features of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are already at an increased risk for vascular events, which have the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all associated complications. As such, it is safe to say that sleep apnea is often more serious than it first seems.
“…it is safe to say that sleep apnea is often more serious than it first seems.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the signs of sleep apnea?
Q. How can I treat sleep apnea?
People Also Ask
Q. What is the difference between sleep apnea and other sleep disorders?
Q. What are some conditions that a complete health dentist can diagnose?
Q. How do preexisting conditions affect dental care?
Q. Beyond regular checkups, what additional procedures might a dentist recommend?
Ideal Candidates for Airway Dentistry
Virtually anybody can benefit from airway dentistry. If left untreated, airway-involved sleep disorders can have disastrous effects on a person's oral health, feelings of restfulness, and overall well-being. An airway dentist can help look for signs of such disorders and, in mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, help treat them with recommendations for lifestyle changes, oral devices, and referrals to specialists when necessary.
Sleep apnea can affect patients of any age, including children. Furthermore, of all pediatric physicians, dentists are most likely to identify the abnormal tonsil growth that often causes obstructive sleep apnea. Accordingly, regular dental checkups can help catch and treat children's sleep apnea before it has the chance to become problematic. As obstructive sleep apnea often comes with significant developmental concerns, early detection is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How common is sleep apnea?
A. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea affects over 20 million Americans. They also approximate that as much as 80% of moderate to severe cases of obtrusive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Q. Can sleep apnea be cured?
A. Unfortunately, as of yet, there is no known cure for sleep apnea. However, MB Dental at Heights can help you minimize and manage its symptoms so that you can live a more comfortable life.
Q. Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
A. No. Snoring is very common and can occur in anyone. However, if your snoring is severe enough to wake you from your sleep, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring associated with sleep apnea is generally louder, deeper, and more consistent than "normal" snoring. Those with sleep apnea may also experience choking, gasps, or pauses in between snores.
Q. Are there any risk factors associated with sleep apnea?
A. Approximately half of those affected by sleep apnea are overweight. Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women and in older persons than in younger persons. However, children with enlarged tonsils are also at risk.
Q. Is sleep apnea hereditary?
A. At least one study has found that snoring runs in families. Though snoring is not a cause of sleep apnea, it is one of its key symptoms. Additionally, individuals may inherit narrow airways or be genetically predisposed to have excess tissues in the airway. As such, there is a hereditary component to sleep apnea.
Scan here to view this page, How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
For many patients, airway dentistry is just what they need to put their sleep apnea issues to rest. We at MB Dental at Heights may be able to help. Call us today at 281-885-8608 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
About our business and website security
- MB Dental at Heights was established in 2023.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Harris County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Houston
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to MB Dental at Heights on mobile
Back to top of How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea
QR code for How a Complete Health Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea
Related Posts
The Benefits Of Choosing Dental Implants Over Dentures
Getting dental implants as a replacement for removable dentures can be a rewarding move. These restorations are stable and lasting. You can smile, laugh, eat, and speak without worrying that they will slip out of your mouth. Here are the benefits of getting dental implants over removable dentures.Dental implants are effective in restoring teeth. Unlike…
When To Get Dental Implants
Dental implants are effective, long-lasting artificial teeth. Implants are surgically attached to the jawbone to look and function like natural teeth. As a result, patients can chew, talk, and laugh without worrying about dentures slipping. They also improve oral health. This article explores when and why to get implants and the qualifying factors for treatment.Patients…
Is All-on-4 An Invasive Surgery?
You might be considering different restorative dentistry options, including All-on-4® dental implants for your missing teeth. there are so many optoins out there that it can be incredibly difficult to know which solution is right for you. However, it’s important to know what type of procedure you’re opting for before making your decision. For some…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call MB Dental at Heights on mobile