Understanding Sleep Apnea Treatments and the Role Biological Dentistry Plays

When you think of sleep apnea, you probably think of loud snoring, but it is much more than that. Your upper airway may become blocked hundreds of times per night, causing headaches, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness. To prevent it from impacting your quality of life, biological dentistry sleep apnea treatment options can be key.

Biological dentistry is a dental approach that prioritizes noninvasive, natural treatment options. Its goal is to protect your smile and overall health. Because sleep apnea can have various negative effects on your body, biological dentists target it, helping you recover your full nights of rest

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. This leads to repeated waking up in the middle of sleep, causing poor sleep quality and various health risks.

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

• ‍Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the more prevalent type. It occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and prevent air from entering the lungs.
• When the brain fails to communicate with the muscles that regulate breathing properly, it can lead to central sleep apnea (CSA).
• ‍Complex sleep apnea, another name for treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, occurs when an OSA patient who has been diagnosed develops CSA while undergoing OSA treatment.

Sleep apnea is highly common, affecting 1 in 3 adult males and 1 in 5 adult females. Understanding how to identify and treat it is key to preventing it from risking overall health.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea to Look Out for

Sleep apnea symptoms can be hard to identify and easy to underestimate. Waking up in the middle of the night can be attributed to stress or an uncomfortable couch. However, when it becomes a daily occurrence, it’s time to visit a healthcare professional.

The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas to look out for include:

• Loud snoring
• Periods when you stop breathing while you're asleep
• Breathing difficulties while you're asleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Having a headache in the mornings
• Difficulty staying asleep, or insomnia
• Hypersomnia, or excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
• Irritability

The symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have. To pinpoint the issue precisely, we recommend sleep monitoring before starting treatment.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Because sleep apnea can be hard to diagnose, treatments also vary. Depending on the type of sleep disorder you experience and your personal preferences, there are various options available for you.

Some of these include:

First Things First: Identifying the Root of the Problem with Sleep Monitoring

Many people are unaware that they have sleep apnea, which makes it extremely dangerous. If we suspect you have sleep apnea, we will give you an FDA-approved at-home test. It consists of a breathing monitor that can track your breathing while you sleep.

After just one night of testing, the dentist will have enough data to examine. If the device displays several instances of your breathing stopping completely in the middle of the night, we will advise getting a sleep apnea treatment.

Oral Appliances

An oral appliance helps you open your airway while you sleep by gently moving your lower jaw forward and preventing your tongue from obstructing your throat. When you visit our office, we will determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate for you and design one tailored to your mouth’s unique measurements.

Oral appliances can drastically improve obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Moreover, they’re easy to transport for travel, unlike a CPAP machine.

NightLase®

To widen the airway and lessen snoring, NightLase® uses the Fotona laser to tighten the soft tissues of the soft palate and surrounding areas. This FDA-approved treatment has been shown to improve sleep patterns and is safe and effective.  

The NightLase® treatment consists of three sessions lasting about 20 minutes. Most patients only experience a mild warming sensation on their oral mucosa, which guarantees a comfortable procedure. After the session, you might feel a little sore and have a dry throat, but don't worry. You can resume eating and drinking right away.

No downtime is needed so that you can return to your regular schedule. The effects of NightLase® treatment can last up to a year, but in some cases, additional or "touch-up" treatments may be required to maintain the desired outcome.

How Biological Dentistry Approaches Sleep Apnea

The relationship between general well-being and oral health is the main focus of biological dentistry. To improve breathing, encourage sound sleep, and improve general health, a holistic dental approach to sleep apnea addresses structural, functional, and biocompatibility factors.

Traditional treatments like CPAP machines might not be the best option for some people. Biological dentists look for comprehensive solutions, assessing and enhancing airway structure to improve breathing patterns and using natural, non-toxic materials to protect patients' health and safety.

The Risk of Ignoring Sleep Apnea

The risks of ignoring sleep apnea are big and far-reaching, extending well beyond your oral health. Some of these include:

• Memory issues, poor concentration, and brain fog.
• Increased risk of dementia
• High blood pressure (hypertension) due to repeated oxygen drops during the night
• Increased risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias (especially atrial fibrillation)
• Daytime fatigue from disrupted sleep
• Weakened immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.
• Greater risk of liver problems, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Potential for complications during surgery and anesthesia, as undiagnosed sleep apnea can interfere with breathing.

Don’t put off seeking treatment for your sleep apnea. Not only will you protect your health in the long run, you’ll also be taking a big step into improving your quality of life.

Recover Your Quality of Sleep with Biological Dentistry Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep apnea is not a condition you should take lightly, as it can have serious consequences on your overall health. At the beginning, it could lead to side effects such as loud snoring or moments of not breathing. Eventually, the constant lack of air can increase the chances of developing strokes or heart failure.

If you suspect you experience sleep apnea, don’t leave it unchecked. Call Dental Healing Arts, and let’s explore a holistic solution to help you recover your sleep quality!