Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Dentistry

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common undiagnosed medical conditions in the United States. Although we can’t officially diagnose the condition, we do offer sleep apnea screenings. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, simply ask about the screening during your next visit or consult with your primary care provider for guidance. From there, your provider will suggest the right obstructive sleep apnea treatment for you.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common untreated and undiagnosed conditions. While you’re sleeping, this disorder causes your upper airway to narrow or close. It is the most common type of sleep apnea and affects approximately 30 million people in the United States, with 80% of people undiagnosed.

Why Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undiagnosed?

Unfortunately, there is a shortage of medical professionals to screen for obstructive sleep apnea. To address this, the American Medical Association has partnered with the American Dental Association to raise awareness and improve accessibility to screenings and treatment.

Symptoms We Look for in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The next time you visit Krengel Dental, you can request a sleep apnea screening. Two things we look for from a dental standpoint are indications that you are clenching and grinding your teeth. This often happens to patients with sleep apnea because while they are sleeping, their body is struggling to get enough oxygen to breathe, so they’re biting down and clenching to wake themselves up and start breathing again.

Other symptoms that frequently appear in patients with sleep apnea include excessive daytime drowsiness, snoring, morning dry mouth, headaches, and frequent urination at night.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If we find that you have symptoms of grinding or clenching your teeth, we may refer you to a sleep physician so you can receive an official diagnosis and obstructive sleep apnea treatment options. This is important as your doctor will rule out any other underlying causes and confirm you are suffering from sleep apnea. They will also let you know if treatment options like a CPAP machine or surgical options are the right option for you. In some cases, they may prescribe a dental device that you can wear while you sleep, which we can custom make for you. This device works by stiffening the muscles in the back of your throat so it’s less inclined to relax while you sleep.

Why Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Complications

Because your body is not receiving the oxygen it needs to sleep at night, many complications can arise from untreated sleep apnea. These include an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, depression, dementia, and hypertension. Many people don’t function optimally as they are sleepy during the day.