Quality of life can be greatly affected by the many factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea, OSA. Whether you’re a parent, spouse, or friend of someone with OSA, you can make a difference in the quality of their lives by being proactive.
One simple habit, mouth breathing, can have devastating effects on not only one’s health, but likewise one’s self-esteem, dental health, brain health and cognitive abilities, as well as physical fitness, especially as we age.
Mouth breathing is a signal to observe the individual while sleeping. Since this condition can be caused by an obstructed airway, notice if there is gasping, breath holding or excessive motion during sleep.
In children, symptoms like hyperactivity, irritability, obesity, poor grades, easy frustrations, tantrums, and not following directions can all be due to lack of sleep caused by airway obstruction. Recent studies show that the heart does not develop properly in children with OSA resulting in possible future heart disease at earlier ages.
In adults, morning fogginess, dependence on caffeine to awaken, depression and anxiety, drowsiness while driving or attending classes or meetings and forgetfulness are only a few of the possible symptoms of OSA.
Many of us are aware of the above information, but are you aware of the importance of a holistic approach to correcting OSA? Historically, only a CPAP was used as treatment, and usually only on older adults. Then dental appliances were found to be beneficial. My experience confirms the importance of using dental appliances. I have successfully treated over 1,000 OSA cases with dental appliances, myself included.
Now findings suggest that correcting previous habits we used to compensate for airway obstruction can greatly benefit our health as well. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) programs can reestablish the proper muscle activity that was lost from years of improper oral and facial posture. This treatment has been scientifically proven to correct 50% of apnea-hyperpnoea in adults and 62% in children. The children benefit even more because their faces develop in a more attractive way. When I was an orthodontist I found Oral Myology to not only greatly assist the speed of orthodontic treatment, but create a far more stable result and allow many fewer extractions, thus giving the patient a fuller smile.
At my sleep and TMJ center, AODTC, you will meet Aimee, my daughter, who is credentialed in Oral Myology. That’s just another tool we use to provide a more complete diagnosis, and just one more reason to visit! If it turns out that you need OMT, she can help you find the right therapist.
For more about our practice, please visit www.aodtc.com or call 925-837-8048. We are looking forward to working with you.
Leave a Reply