Sleep Apnea Jaw Treatment

Many people are unaware of what obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is or at least a slight case of it and are likely unaware of their excessive snoring. OSA is a health condition in which a persons’ airways will close and open up continuously throughout the night. This issue can have a huge effect on a persons’ overall health and effect their motivation to get through the day. It will likely lead to daytime sleepiness, since every time a person stops breathing it disrupts their sleep because they wake up. OSA also increases a persons’ risk to develop high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, problems with their liver, and other serious health related issues. The effects of sleep apnea have also been shown to negatively affect the health of the patients’ teeth. There are three dental problems to keep a look out for if you suffer from sleep apnea:

– Cracked or worn-down teeth: The grinding or clenching of the teeth while sleeping is a condition also known in the medical field as bruxism. This condition is most common in people who have been diagnosed with having sleep apnea. Roughly, about one in every four people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea will also grind his or her teeth. Over time, grinding of the teeth can cause tooth sensitivity, and even in some cases can cause cracked and/or damaged teeth. So, if you or someone you know has tight jaw muscles or sensitive teeth, sleep apnea may be what is causing these symptoms.
– Jaw pain: Sleep apnea is highly associated with chronic pain disorders, which include jaw pain – also known in the medical field as TMJ or TMD. If a person is in pain when they open and move the jaw bones – they may be struggling with one of these conditions related to sleep apnea.
– Higher risk of cavities: People who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea are much more prone to breathing through their mouth. This is a habit that will actually dry out the mouths’ protective saliva and lead to a higher volume of tooth decay. As a result, when you go to visit your dentist, they may notice more enamel erosion and an increased number of cavities.

When a person is diagnosed with TMJ disorder – this means that there is a problem with their temporomandibular joint. When this joint functions incorrectly or improperly, many painful and uncomfortable symptoms can develop. Symptoms such as pain in the jaw when showing any movement, ear pain, migraines, and headaches. When a person’s teeth do not fit together correctly, the lower jaw may begin to fall backwards when relaxed, which causes the person’s airway to become blocked or restricted. All of these symptoms may seem to be rather harmless to a person – but will actually lead them to a lifetime of breathing through their mouth, always having constricted/blocked airways, and never truly sleeping through the entire night. The unfortunate aftermath when a person is suffering from TMJ and sleep apnea – is that they are slowly suffocating because they have not sought treatment. As a result, they may begin to develop significant health issues, including death – this can occur as the organs of the body slowly begin to shut down due to not receiving enough oxygen to function properly.

If you feel you may be suffering from any of these symptoms it’s important to talk to a medical professional. Talk to the sleep doctors today at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders to let us help you begin getting the Top sleep ever.