Sleep Apnea Causes
Are you concerned that you might have sleep apnea, or have you already been diagnosed with this respiratory condition? Sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health, putting you at high risk for stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and other problems. To effectively treat sleep apnea, you need to understand the causes that can lead to this disorder. Our team at Bob Perkins, DDS in Malibu, CA, are specialists in finding and treating the causes of sleep apnea and related orthodontic and jaw joint disorders.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked while you sleep, cutting off oxygen to your body. The most common factor that is related to sleep apnea is obesity, but it is not always the only cause for this disorder. Children and adults of all body shapes and sizes can have sleep apnea, often due to a dental or orthodontic issue. When the jaw and teeth are not properly aligned, it can impact the airway when you sleep, causing sleep apnea.
Oral Health and Sleep Apnea
How your teeth and jaw align are more than a cosmetic issue. They impact the jaw joint, your neck position and the function of your jaw. When the jaw joint is worn or damaged, a common issue with TMJ/TMD or out of orthodontic alignment, it can lead to sleep apnea. The lower jaw can rest farther back than it should while you sleep, pushing the position of the tongue toward the back of your mouth. This shift backwards can cause pressure on your soft palate that can create an obstruction of your airway. This can initiate a response of snoring, gasping and a stopping of breathing while you sleep.
If you have sleep apnea, it is vital to get a comprehensive dental checkup by a neuromuscular dentist and orthodontist to examine jaw positioning issues. Our team at Bob Perkins, DDS, in Malibu are specialists in identifying issues that can lead to sleep apnea and other detrimental health issues. We offer advanced treatments that can repair the causes for sleep apnea and TMJ syndrome, using orthodontics and physical therapy. Contact our office today to schedule your exam to begin getting relief from your sleep apnea.