Dentists on the Front Line in the Battle Against Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Dentists on the Front Line in the Battle Against Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The last time you saw your dentist, did she ask you if you often feel tired during the day, or if you wake up frequently during the night? If so, she wasn’t making idle conversation or casually inquiring after your overall health. She was probably screening for a potentially serious – and surprisingly common – disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Most people think sleep apnea affects only overweight, middle-aged men, but in fact, OSA can target people of all ages, genders, and body types. Some people are at especially high risk, including those with Down Syndrome, pacemakers, surgically-corrected cleft palates – even children requiring rapid palatal expansion for orthodontia. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea affects as many people as adult diabetes! Obstructive Sleep Apnea explainedOSA is caused by a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway, which occurs during sleep. People with untreated OSA frequently stop breathing while sleeping – sometimes hundreds of times a night – and often for a minute or more. Episodes usually end when the individual wakes up slightly, returning to normal breathing. OSA has been linked to a range of serious medical conditions, from hypertension and cardiovascular disease to Attention Deficit Disorder. And, not surprisingly, OSA can cause excessive sleepiness during the day. People suffering from OSA are more likely to miss work, make poor decisions –even fall asleep while driving! Because dentists see patients regularly and often treat an entire family, we’re in a unique position to help diagnose OSA. A dentist who is on the alert for signs of OSA will routinely ask patients questions about their sleep habits, including whether the patient or anyone in the family snores, chokes, or gasps during sleep, or wakes frequently at night. None of these questions alone can positively identify an individual who suffers from OSA, but dentists can use patients’ answers, along with certain physical indicators, to take the first step in diagnosing a disease that often shows only subtle symptoms. A conclusive diagnosis of OSA can only be made with the help of nocturnal polysomno-graphy, which uses electrodes to obtain information about breathing, muscle activity, and a range of other functions. The good newsIn mild to moderate cases, OSA may be treated successfully with an oral appliance. Other treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure, in which an air pump keeps the airway open pneumatically, and surgery. From diagnosis through treatment, dentists can play a key role in helping patients win the fight against OSA. Considering a smile makeover?Whether you need to whiten your smile or want to replace old crowns and bridges, I can help you. To learn more about my cosmetic dentistry services, visit my Website where you’ll find “Before and After” photographs, detailed information about my services, and a beautiful 3D tour of my Boston dental spa. Or, feel free to call Mary, our office concierge, to set up your private consultation: By phone: 617.327.1350 Please Share!Please forward this newsletter to your friends and family who are also concerned about having a healthy smile. |
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By Dr. Helaine Smith
