Imagine you had a long day, and finally, you got into bed to sleep, but there is an issue: you have disrupted sleep due to a sleep-breathing disorder called sleep apnea. It can affect the quality of your life if not treated. While there are a number of treatments for sleep apnea in traditional dentistry, holistic dentistry is not far behind. In this blog, we will discuss the possible causes of sleep apnea and how a holistic dentist can help.
What is Sleep Apnea?
When your tongue or throat muscles block the airway during sleep, it can halt breathing, which is a condition called sleep apnea. Many people mistake it for loud snoring or difficulty sleeping when, in reality, the affected person might be waking up as a result of a panic response that triggers the brain from insufficient oxygen. Sleep apnea can lead to long-term health issues, which is why it is important to consult a professional specialist.
Ways a Holistic Dentist Can Help
While traditional dentistry has solutions and methods of treating sleep apnea, you can also rely on a holistic dentist. They will look for the causes of sleep apnea, which usually involves poor jaw or tongue alignment. Here is an insight into the possible causes of sleep apnea that a holistic dentist can help with:
- High Tongue: The dentist might inspect your tongue to see if it is on a higher level than usual. When we sleep, the tongue relaxes and falls back. However, if it is set higher, the tongue could obstruct the airway upon relaxing and cause you to struggle while you are asleep.
- Mouth Breathing: Mouth breathing is concerning for your overall oral health, and it could be a result of a persistent cold or a development issue. It could also be a symptom of an underlying condition that is responsible for sleep apnea, but mouth breathing itself is also a possible cause. A holistic dentist can address mouth breathing and work on resolving your sleep apnea.
- Tongue Positioning: You may think of your tongue as the thing in your mouth that helps you taste what you consume, but it actually is a strong muscle that gradually shapes the mouth. When your tongue is in an improper position, it can lead to mouth breathing as well as sleep apnea as you age. A holistic dentist will help improve your tongue positioning and eliminate the problems it causes,
- Retrognathia: If your jaw has poor alignment, your lower jaw might be pulled back, pushing the tongue and pharyngeal tissue backward. This restricts the airway and leads to sleep apnea!
Holistic Dentistry Solutions for Sleep Apnea
The holistic dentist will get to the bottom of the problem and treat it accordingly. If the cause is tongue issues, they might recommend retraining exercises that teach the tongue where to use it when it is not in use. On the other hand, they might suggest a mandibular device or retrognathia.
Final Word
If you have noticed the symptoms of sleep apnea, it could be due to jaw misalignment, mouth breathing, or tongue issues. You can consult a holistic dentist to determine the cause and proceed with adequate treatment.
Whole Health Dental Center is your trusted dental practice for holistic dental solutions. You can contact us at (703) 385-6425.