Airway Dentistry

What is airway dentistry?

Airway Dentistry is a branch of dental care focused on how the mouth, teeth, and jaws affect breathing. Dentists in this field study how the shape and position of teeth affect breathing. They work to find and treat issues like it's sleep apnea, snoring, and other breathing problems. They often use treatments like braces and mouthguards. These devices help improve airflow and health.

Disordered Breathing

Disordered breathing means problems with breathing, especially during sleep. This can include issues like snoring or sleep apnea. Apnea is when breathing stops and starts while sleeping. Disordered breathing can make you feel tired during the day. It can harm your health and worsen your sleep.

Loud snoring is a common sign of disordered breathing. You may also gasp for air during sleep and feel sleepy during the day. It's important to get these issues checked by a doctor. If not treated, they can lead to other health problems.

Common sleep-related breathing disorders:

Snoring occurs when the tissues in the throat vibrate during sleep, causing a loud noise. While it's often harmless, it can sometimes indicate other issues, like sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea -This is a condition. Sleep brings cycles of breathlessness and sudden inhalations. There are two main types. An airway blockage causes obstructive sleep apnea. The brain's signals to the breathing muscles need to be fixed. This problem causes central sleep apnea.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is like sleep apnea, but the breathing pauses are less severe. People with UARS often wake up at night and may feel tired during the day.
Sleep-related hypoventilation - It's when a person doesn't breathe enough during sleep. This leads to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide in the blood.

These disorders can harm sleep and health. So, it's important to have a healthcare professional diagnose and treat them.

Some other common symptoms of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders are:

Daytime sleepiness is feeling very tired or drowsy during the day. This happens even after a full night's sleep.
Morning Headaches - Waking up with a headache that goes away shortly after getting out of bed.
Poor sleep quality causes difficulty in concentrating. It makes tasks hard to focus on and things hard to remember.
Irritability is an emotional state marked by sudden feelings of annoyance.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat - Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat. It can mean you have breathing problems during sleep.
Frequent nighttime urination - Needing to urinate many times during the night. It can disrupt sleep.
Restless sleep is tossing and turning frequently. It is waking up often without a clear reason.

If you or someone you know has these symptoms often, you must see a doctor. They can give proper care.

Common health issues associated with disordered breathing are:

Disordered breathing causes High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). In particular, sleep apnea can lead to spikes in blood pressure. Over time, this can contribute to hypertension.
Heart problems are linked to sleep-related breathing disorders. They increase the risk of various heart conditions. These include coronary artery disease, heart attack, and irregular heart rhythms.
People with untreated sleep apnea are at higher risk of stroke. This is due to disruptions in the oxygen supply to the brain during breathing pauses.
Type 2 Diabetes - Sleep apnea is strongly associated with insulin resistance. This can cause type 2 diabetes or worsen blood sugar control in those who already have diabetes.
Weight Gain and Obesity - Disordered breathing can disrupt the body's metabolism and hormones, causing weight gain or making it harder to lose weight.
Depression and Anxiety - Poor sleep and disordered breathing stress the body. They can cause depression and anxiety.
Disordered breathing can cause sleep disruptions, which can lead to daytime sleepiness, reduced concentration, and memory problems.

Treating sleep-related breathing disorders can reduce the risk of these health issues. It can also improve well-being.

Root Cause of Disordered Breathing

The main cause of disordered breathing is often the physical narrowing or collapse of the airway. This happens during sleep. This is true, especially for obstructive sleep apnea. This narrowing can be due to factors such as:
Obesity causes extra neck weight, which can pressure the airway and make it more likely to collapse during sleep.
Anatomical factors are structural issues in the mouth, throat, or jaw. They include large tonsils, a recessed chin, or a deviated septum. These issues can block the airway.
When we sleep, the muscles that support the airway relax. This can make the airway narrower or collapse.
Neurological disorders can disrupt sleep by affecting the brain's control over breathing muscles.
Lifestyle factors are important. Smoking, alcohol, and sedatives can relax the throat and tongue. This increases the chance of airway blockage.

These factors can disrupt normal breathing during sleep. They lead to conditions like snoring and sleep apnea.

What can I expect from Airway Dentistry?

Assessment - It is a thorough look at your mouth, teeth, and jaw. It finds issues that affect your breathing.
Treatment planning creates a plan for you. It is tailored to your needs and improves your airway.
Custom dental devices, such as mouthguards or oral appliances, can keep your airway open during sleep.
Collaboration involves working closely with other healthcare professionals, such as sleep specialists or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors. The goal is to ensure comprehensive care.
You will have regular follow-up appointments. They are to monitor your progress and make changes to your treatment plan.
Education provides information and guidance on lifestyle changes or habits. These habits support better breathing and overall health.

Airway Dentistry aims to improve your breathing. It will also enhance your sleep and promote your well-being through dental care.