Your Dentist is the gateway to Sleep Medicine

Feeling perpetually tired, even after a full night in bed? Sleep issues are incredibly common, but they're often overlooked. Sleep medicine is the field dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, which can range from insomnia to more complex conditions like sleep apnea.

One of the most prevalent and serious sleep disorders is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). People with OSA repeatedly stop and start breathing during sleep. This happens when the airway at the back of the throat collapses, often due to relaxed muscles or excess tissue. Symptoms include loud, chronic snoring, gasping, or choking during the night, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Untreated, OSA is linked to serious health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Here's a surprising fact: your dentist can be your first step toward getting help. Dentists are experts in the oral and maxillofacial structures—the jaw, teeth, tongue, and throat—all of which play a crucial role in maintaining an open airway during sleep.

During a routine check-up, your dentist may notice signs indicative of a sleep disorder, such as excessive wear on your teeth (a sign of bruxism, or teeth grinding, which can be related to OSA), a small jaw structure, or a receding chin. They might ask questions about your sleep habits or if a partner has noticed you snoring loudly.

If your dentist suspects you may have a sleep disorder, they can provide a vital service: referral to a dental sleep specialist or a physician for a formal diagnosis (usually via a sleep study). A dental sleep specialist is a dentist who has advanced training in treating sleep-related breathing disorders with oral appliance therapy (OAT). OAT involves wearing a custom-fitted device, similar to a mouthguard, which repositions the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open.

Don't wait to address persistent fatigue or loud snoring. Talk to your dentist today—they might hold the key to a better night's rest and improved overall health!