Sleep apnoea, snoring and other sleep-related breathing disorders are often linked to chewing problems, yet 60% of patients do not know they can ask their dentist for help.
We all know that restful sleep is essential to face the day with the right amount of mental and physical energy. Unfortunately, at least 45% of the world’s population, including children and older people, suffers from sleep disorders, with a serious impact on everyday life.
Insomnia reduces the ability to concentrate, leading to mood swings and poorer performance at school or work. Patients with insomnia are also more likely than others to show symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Good sleep rests on three fundamental pillars:
Duration: it must be long enough to wake up rested and alert (at least 6-8 hours for adults, 8-10 for teenagers)
Continuity: sleep must be continuous, not fragmented
Depth: sleep must be deep enough to be restorative
During sleep, breathing is precious. Sleep-related breathing disorders and obstructive apnoea can cause many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, stroke and type 2 diabetes. When breathing during sleep becomes an effort, life expectancy can be reduced by as much as 15 years.
A dentist can identify the people most at risk of sleep apnoea by analysing how they chew: a small, retruded lower jaw and, in children, a narrow palate can lead to this disorder and should definitely be corrected.
If the patient reports more daytime sleepiness than normal, the dentist can suggest a sleep specialist (neurologist, respiratory specialist or ear, nose and throat specialist) to carry out a polysomnography and check for episodes of apnoea during the night.
Finally, in the case of snoring or sleep apnoea, the dentist will propose a suitable oral appliance with international certification for the treatment of sleep disorders.
Photo: Juan Garcia on Unsplash
