As a leading dental clinic in Miami, Miami Designer Smiles builds a holistic picture of their patients’ health, extending beyond just teeth and gums. One crucial aspect often overlooked is the profound connection between sleep apnea and dental health.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. It usually manifests as loud snoring and feelings of excessive daytime tiredness. Formally, sleep apnea falls into three categories:
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when throat muscles relax.
- Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both.
The Interface Between Sleep Apnea and Dental Health
Bruxism and Sleep Apnea
Bruxism, often known as teeth grinding, and sleep apnea often coincide. Researchers have found that many people with sleep apnea grind their teeth. The team at Miami Designer Smiles, in their examinations, looks for worn tooth surfaces, a telltale sign of grinding, which could imply the existence of sleep-related disorders.
Recessed Jaw and Sleep Apnea
A misaligned jaw or underdevelopment of the maxilla and mandible can cause issues with breathing. The link in such cases between dental health and sleep apnea becomes glaringly evident. Orthodontic treatment, like Controlled Arch Braces offered at Miami Designer Smiles, could be a successful method to address this issue, improving the patient’s sleep apnea.
Dry Mouth and Sleep Apnea
Patients reporting dry mouth could unknowingly be struggling with sleep apnea. Dry mouth results from less saliva production due to open mouth breathing, commonly seen in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Case Study: Comprehensive Dental Solutions at Miami Designer Smiles
For years, Miami Designer Smiles has been providing comprehensive dental solutions, considering overall health and well-being. Our patient, Lillian, had been under our care for 16 years. Apart from regular dental procedures like fillings and cleanings, she was diagnosed with sleep apnea and successfully treated.
How Miami Designer Smiles Treats Sleep Apnea
At Miami Designer Smiles, sleep apnea is addressed seriously. Backed by experience and led by Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia, personalized treatment plans are crafted. Our treatments include oral appliance therapy, therapies like NightLase, and comprehensive orthodontic solutions to address structural issues.
Conclusion
The connection between sleep apnea and dental health is undeniable. Acknowledging this, Miami Designer Smiles honors its commitment to holistic health. Because your dental health is more than just a beautiful smile, it’s a gateway to understanding and treating severe health conditions such as sleep apnea.