Sleep disorders don't just affect marriages, they harm the quality of a good
night's rest and can cause some serious health risks. Now some dentists are
playing a key role in the treatment of certain sleep disorders, including
snoring and sleep apnea, according to a recent report in General Dentistry,
the peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, an
organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.
"Your dentist should be able to complete an initial consultation to determine
the problem, such as how you are feeling upon wakening or if you wake up in
the middle of the night," says T. Bob Davis, DMD, FAGD, spokesperson for
the Academy. Once the initial consultation is completed, your dentist might
consult with a physician or a sleep clinic to determine a diagnosis.
Snoring is caused by vibration at the back of the throat, and dental appliances
help to minimize or eliminate the problem. "The diagnosis is key because
snoring alone doesn't automatically signify a serious problem. For basic
snorers, a "snoreguard" (a plastic bite plate) can provide relief because it
repositions the jaw and muscles, tissue and tongue. The apparatus helps
breathing become less labored giving a person more room to breath quietly,"
says Dr. Davis.
For those with sleep apnea, a much more serious condition, Dr. Davis refers
patients to a sleep clinic to make the diagnosis. People with sleep apnea
cannot get enough oxygen, and breathing actually stops for a short period of
time, predisposing them to a collapsed airway and other health problems.
Most dentists can help if you snore or refer you to a physician to determine if
there is an underlying medical problem. If you want to try to reduce the
symptoms of snoring yourself, Dr. Davis recommends losing weight and
reducing alcohol consumption when appropriate.
