Having Trouble Sleeping? We May be Able to Help!
If you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis or your sleep seems inadequate, you have plenty of company — it's estimated that 50-70 million Americans suffer from some type of chronic sleep disorder. Believe it or not, we may be able to help.
Sleep, that period of unconsciousness that is part of the natural rhythm of daily life, is essential to both physical and mental health. The precise reason why we sleep isn't known for sure, but there are a number of theories: it enables the body to conserve energy; it gives the brain time to reorganize; or it allows the immune system to recharge. Whatever the purpose, you can't live a healthy life without regular quality sleep.
Of the causes for poor sleep, most fall into three categories: insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). The latter describes a number of conditions, the most serious of which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A patient with OSA has recurring episodes through the sleep period where the amount of air inhaled while breathing is severely reduced or even ceases. This happens because tissues in the back of the throat around the windpipe collapse. If not treated, more than your sleep will suffer — the condition can aggravate cardiovascular and metabolic problems and lead to possible brain damage.
As your dentist, we can play a major role in helping you uncover and manage OSA or other sleep-related breathing problems. First, it's quite possible we would be the first healthcare professionals to diagnose your OSA during routine dental exams. Some of the most telling signs we may be able to detect are enlarged structures in the mouth such as tonsils, the uvula and the tongue; the more enlarged, the more restricted the airway may be. It's also not uncommon for a patient suffering from OSA to doze off while sitting in our examination chair.
We're also the only healthcare professional with the training and skills to make and fit the appliances used for Oral Appliance Therapy, one of two non-invasive treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders (the other is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, also known as CPAP).
If you would like more information on sleep-related breathing disorders and how we can help, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry.”
For information on this topic, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151.
