Here at Crow Family Dentistry, Dr. Don Crow is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is part of a medical team of specialists in Snohomish County available to help treat these common problems of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Dentists are known for everything having to do with teeth. So, what does a dentist have to do with a sleep disorder?
An oral appliance made by a dentist can reduce or eliminate most snoring. This same type of oral appliance is also a treatment option to treat mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance to treat snoring or sleep apnea is called a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). The forward movement of an MAS tightens the soft tissues and muscles of the upper airway, which prevents obstruction while you sleep. It also prevents the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them, which is the major cause of snoring.
Other alternatives to treat obstructive sleep apnea include weight loss, CPAP (breathing machine, surgery and medications.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is the sign of a breathing problem. It occurs when the jaw opens and the tongue falls into the back of the throat, causing the airway to narrow and forcing air through the smaller opening. This creates sound vibrations in the throat known as snoring. Snoring can easily affect your quality of life. It can be embarrassing and inconvenient, and can cause problems in relationships. Primary snoring, without obstructive sleep apnea, is not known to cause any medical problems.
An estimated 40% of adults over age 40 snore. For about 5 in 100 people, however, loud snoring is an important sign of a more serious medical problem called obstructive sleep apnea.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea comes in two forms. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when your windpipe is blocked while sleeping. The blockage can be from your uvula, tonsils, tongue, throat tissue, or even by the muscles in your throat.
A more rare form of sleep apnea is caused by a disruption of your central nervous system – the signals from your brain that control your breathing don't reach the appropriate places.
Regardless of which type of sleep apnea you have, what happens is that you stop breathing for 10 to 30 seconds, several times a night while you sleep. This causes you to wake up – which disrupts your sleep, and prevents you from getting the quality deep sleep your body needs to function at its best. Excessive sleepiness during the daytime, snoring gasping for air or choking while sleeping are common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
While you cannot die directly from sleep apnea, it is associated with hypertension, heart disease and strokes.
To consult Dr. Crow, call Crow Family Dentistry today at 425-258-2633