Sleep Wellness Dentistry
For many patients, treating sleep apnea can improve their overall quality of life. The condition can be obtrusive and affect you in both your sleeping and waking hours. Sleep apnea may be treatable through dental care.
Solutions for sleep apnea are available at Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center in Vienna and the surrounding area. Maintaining your dental health can also benefit your sleep. We may be able to help. Call us today at (703) 288-4700 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where patients have something blocking (or obstructing) part or all of their upper airway in their sleep, forcing the diaphragm and chest muscles to work harder to pull air into the lungs. This condition may cause the patient’s breathing to become very shallow or even briefly stop altogether. Eventually, when the patient begins to breathe again, it will be accompanied by a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk.
Many patients are not aware that they have this condition and may think they are only suffering from inadequate sleep. Dentists may be able to recognize and treat the signs of sleep apnea, as these symptoms often take a toll on the mouth and jaw.
“Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where patients have something blocking (or obstructing) part or all of their upper airway in their sleep, forcing the diaphragm and chest muscles to work harder to pull air into the lungs.”
Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep Disorders
There are several different types of sleep disorders. Each falls into six different categories: insomnias, hypersomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep movement disorders. While insomnia is a type of sleep disorder where the patient is unable to fall or stay asleep, hypersomnia is a group of sleep disorders that cause a patient to feel excessively sleepy.
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that consist of having undesirable experiences while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. Sleep apnea can be an underlying cause of parasomnias, since intermittently losing breath inevitably puts stress on the body. The same can be said for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (where the sleep times are out of alignment) and sleep movement disorders (where movement during or before sleep interferes with sleep). Sleep apnea itself is a sleep-related breathing disorder, where there is difficulty breathing during sleep.
“There are several different types of sleep disorders.”
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health. Often, the pauses in breathing associated with sleep apnea are caused by flaccid muscles in the back of the throat, a too-large tongue, or a too-small jaw. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is the first sign of sleep apnea. This may cause tooth wear and breakage, along with inflamed and receding gums. Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center can conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether or not a patient has sleep apnea.
“Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health.”
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Recognizing Sleep Apnea
Some groups may be more at risk of developing sleep apnea than others. Age, for instance, increases one’s chance of developing sleep apnea. The condition is also more common in younger men than in younger women. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor diet, may also contribute. Taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle may lessen an individual’s risk of developing sleep apnea.
Being able to recognize the signs of sleep apnea is crucial. Patients should watch out for sore throat upon waking, excessive daytime sleeping, restless sleep, decreased libido, waking during the night, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults. These may include bedwetting, choking, drooling, excessive nighttime sweatiness, learning and behavior issues, and problems at school.
“Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults.”
Treating Sleep Apnea
Luckily, there are many different ways to treat sleep apnea including oral appliances. Patients who are good candidates for oral appliances must have impressions of their teeth and return for a fitting during a later appointment. It may be necessary for patients to have another sleep test while wearing the device to ensure its efficacy. Further office visits may be required to make adjustments. These devices are unobtrusive and easy to travel with, as they do not require any electricity.
Other options include continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and surgery. These are more involved treatments that may benefit those with more severe cases of sleep apnea. Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center can help patients determine which treatment is right for them.
“Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center can help patients determine which treatment is right for them.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the difference between sleep apnea and other sleep disorders?
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can still travel safely with sleep apnea. For best results, you should take your CPAP machine and other dental appliances with you particularly on any trips that will take longer than one or two days.
There is a direct correlation between sleep apnea and other health issues, like high blood pressure. Constantly waking up in the middle of the night puts stress on your body, causing the hormone systems to work overtime and increase blood pressure. The low oxygen and stress associated with sleep apnea are also related to heart disease.
No. Snoring is very common. However, snoring that wakes you up in the middle of the night can be a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring associated with sleep apnea also tends to be deeper, louder, and more consistent. It may also be interrupted with gasps, choking, or pauses. Patients should see a doctor if they experience a combination of any of these symptoms.
 The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that over 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Furthermore, they estimate that as much as 80 percent of moderate and severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Unfortunately, no. However, there are many different ways you can minimize and manage the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
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Call Us Today
Do not hesitate to get your child the dental care they deserve. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist, our team at Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center can help. Call us today at 703-288-4700 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Dental Terminology
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business and website security
- Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center was established in 2006.
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- We serve patients from the following counties: Fairfax County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Vienna, Falls Church, McLean, Idlywood, and Odricks Corner
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