Waterford Dental
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Do you feel tired throughout the day or have a bed partner saying you snore?
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and snoring are problems for both males and females, but can be treated to help you and your bed partner feel more refreshed.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes partially or fully blocked while you sleep. The tongue and other tissues in the mouth and throat are usually the culprits that block the airflow and, thus, oxygen to your body. This obstruction is also related to snoring. When your body recognizes the decrease in oxygen, it startles you awake, disrupting your sleep cycle and not allowing for a restful night of sleep. Your body may do this several times a night without you even being aware.
What are the risks of sleep apnea?
The stress of decreased oxygen and lack of sleep can put your body at an increased risk for several systemic problems, including:
- Heart attacks
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Shortened lifespan
Sleep apnea affects both males and females, young and old, fit or overweight. Once thought of as a condition that affected primarily overweight males, we now know that forms of sleep apnea can be present in anyone.
There are many warning signs for sleep apnea that a dentist may see during your routine exam, including wear on the teeth from grinding, undersized jaws, erosion of the teeth from acid reflux, and tongue characteristics. Additionally, dentists can help treat sleep apnea by fabricating oral appliances to bring the lower jaw forward during use to relieve the obstruction causing the sleep apnea.
Myofunctional Therapy to Address Sleep Apnea
At Waterford Dental, the team led by Dr. Melissa Nensel and Dr. Mason Rasmussen is revolutionizing the field of dentistry through their innovative approach to airway health and myofunctional therapy in Bennington. Recognizing that airway problems can indicate more significant systemic health concerns, they have taken a proactive and patient-centered approach to address these issues at their source.
The team at Waterford Dental understands that airway issues can profoundly impact a person’s overall well-being. Problems like sleep apnea, snoring, and difficulty breathing affect the quality of sleep and can lead to systemic health problems such as cardiovascular issues and impaired cognitive function. By addressing these concerns, they aim to improve their patients’ dental health and overall quality of life.
Myofunctional therapy has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach to managing sleep apnea. Unlike traditional treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or surgery, myofunctional therapy focuses on strengthening the facial, tongue, and throat muscles to improve airway function and reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.
Dr. Melissa Nensel and Dr. Mason Rasmussen start their approach by thoroughly evaluating their patients’ airway health. Through a series of exercises and techniques, patients are guided to retrain these muscles, promoting proper tongue posture, improving swallowing patterns, and strengthening the muscles that keep the airway open. By enhancing muscle tone and function, myofunctional therapy helps prevent the collapse of the airway, reducing the frequency and severity of apnea episodes.
By addressing the root causes of sleep apnea and empowering patients to participate in their treatment actively, myofunctional therapy offers a promising avenue for improving sleep quality, overall health, and well-being for individuals affected by this challenging condition.
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