HOW CAN DENTISTS HELP WITH SLEEP APNEA? tongue is too large, if the muscles in the back of your throat are flabby, if your jaw is too small, or if another health condition is causing breathing problems. May Is Better Sleep Month!
Unless your partner tells you that you snore, toss, and turn or have breathing issues when you sleep, you’ll probably never know. One of the most well-known sleep disorders is sleep apnea. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. But what exactly is it? Sleep apnea is a health problem that affects your breathing when you’re asleep — your breathing will stop and restart and can worsen if untreated. How can health care providers test for sleep apnea? If you’re concerned about your sleeping patterns or believe you have sleep apnea, a specialized sleep disorder dentist can conduct a sleep study. During the study, you will have to sleep with surface electrodes on your face and scalp. These electrodes monitor your brain and muscle activity and record your patterns. A special belt around your chest and abdomen will also help measure your breathing. What happens after the sleep study? Once your data is collected and analyzed, your dentist will conduct a detailed assessment of your mouth if you show signs of sleep apnea. They will look to see if your
What are the treatment options? The most common treatment dentists suggest is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine you can wear while asleep. However, if you cannot wear the device, your health care provider might recommend wearing oral appliances such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which are similar to athletic mouthguards. The device will fit over your upper and lower sets of teeth to hold the lower jaw and tongue in a forward position at night. It will help keep the tissues in your throat from blocking your airways when you sleep. Additionally, health care professionals may recommend a tongue- retaining mouthpiece that will keep your tongue from falling back into your breathing airway. While most dental offices do not treat sleep apnea, some offices specialize in the disorder. If your primary dental provider doesn’t provide treatments for sleep apnea, don’t worry; they will direct you to a specialized office that can help.
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
BRAIN BREAK!
GINGER PORK STIR-FRY
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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