Sleep Apnea and the Role of Orthodontics in Restful Nights

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

Sleep apnea, a common yet often undiagnosed sleep disorder, can significantly impact one's quality of life. Characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea can lead to fatigue, irritability, and even serious health complications. In the quest for effective treatment, orthodontics has emerged as a valuable ally.

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax excessively, causing an obstruction in the airway. This obstruction can lead to a temporary halt in breathing, often followed by a gasping or choking sound as the individual attempts to resume normal breathing. These disruptions can happen multiple times throughout the night, preventing restorative deep sleep.

There are two main types of sleep apnea – obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. OSA, the more prevalent form, occurs when the throat muscles relax, while central sleep apnea is related to a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to serious health issues such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk of strokes.

Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): Orthodontic treatments, particularly the use of Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs), have shown promise in addressing mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. MADs are custom-made oral appliances that reposition the lower jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep.

• Palatal Expanders: Palatal expanders, commonly used in orthodontics to widen the upper jaw, can also play a role in managing sleep apnea. By expanding the upper jaw, these devices create more space in the oral cavity, potentially reducing the likelihood of airway obstruction.

A comprehensive orthodontic evaluation can uncover issues related to jaw structure, tooth alignment, and facial anatomy that may contribute to sleep apnea. Orthodontic treatment plans can then be tailored to address these specific concerns, promoting better airflow and potentially alleviating sleep apnea symptoms.

Early intervention is key in addressing sleep apnea, especially in children. Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson play a crucial role in identifying signs of sleep-disordered breathing during routine examinations. Timely intervention can prevent the progression of sleep apnea symptoms, improving not only the quality of sleep but also supporting overall health and development.

Sleep apnea is a serious health concern that can have profound effects on daily life and long-term well-being. Orthodontics, with its focus on the alignment and structure of the oral cavity, offers valuable solutions for managing sleep apnea. From custom oral appliances to targeted orthodontic interventions, Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson provide a holistic approach to address the root causes of sleep apnea and enhance the quality of sleep for those affected. If you or a loved one suspects sleep apnea, consider consulting with Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson to explore personalized treatment options and pave the way to restful nights and revitalized days.

 

The Dangers of Chewing Ice

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

Chewing ice is an incredibly common habit. Some people chew on ice after finishing a drink, while others do it to cool off in the summer heat. Chewing ice may also help relieve stress or aid in relaxation. No matter what the reason people chew ice, just like many other hard foods, chewing ice can cause a myriad of oral health issues, and even cost you an expensive trip to your dentist or orthodontist.

If you already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, or if you wear braces, use a retainer, or have expanders, chewing ice makes you particularly vulnerable to tooth damage.

How Chewing Ice Can Damage Your Teeth

Broken or Fractured Teeth - Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they aren’t designed to crunch extremely hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped tooth, which will require an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth.

Cracked Tooth Enamel - Breaking or chipping a tooth is not the only outcome of chewing ice. Often times, people will crack their tooth enamel without knowing it. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense against cavities. If tooth enamel is damaged by chewing ice, it can leave a tooth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth decay. That’s because acids produced by bacteria can penetrate the softer layer of the tooth, the dentin, much more easily and cause tooth decay. Cracked tooth enamel can also lead to hot and cold sensitivities and tooth pain.

Damage Dental Fillings - Chewing ice can damage existing dental work like fillings, crowns, and veneers. Damaging your dental work will require an immediate trip to your dentist for a repair. Something as simple as filling a cavity may be the solution, but other times root canals and crown replacements are necessary to repair the damage done from chewing ice.

Destroyed Oral Appliances - Oral appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing healthy smiles. Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can cause severe damage to brackets, wires, and aligner trays resulting in extra visits to our office.

Although there are much worse habits to have, as your local orthodontist we recommend breaking this habit as soon as you can.

If you love chewing on ice and need some ideas to shake the habit, try these tricks:

Let Ice Cubes Melt in your Mouth - Instead of chewing on the ice cubes, try holding them in your mouth and letting them melt. The satisfying cool sensation will last longer, and you won’t damage your teeth or gums.

Say No to Ice - Skip ice altogether. If it’s not in your glass, the temptation to chew it is gone.

Choose a Crunchy Alternative - When you feel like you need a satisfying crunch, reach for carrot sticks, cucumber, or apple slices instead of ice…you will get the same crunch without any tooth damage. Also, chewing on healthy fibrous foods will stimulate saliva production, which acts as a natural mouthwash.

As with any habit, the first thing you should do is make yourself aware. If you are concerned about your oral health or if you chew on ice frequently, make sure you schedule an appointment with your general dentist to have your teeth and gums evaluated. If your teeth are already damaged, your dentist will know exactly what to do to help.

Did you know? The intense craving to chew on ice is sometimes categorized as pagophagia. Pagophagia, or compulsive ice chewing, is a particular form of pica that is characterized by ingestion of ice, freezer frost, or iced drinks. It is usually associated with iron deficiency anemia. Not everyone who loves chewing ice has pagophagia, but studies show that some people who have the desire to chew ice also have an underlying health issue that has not yet been resolved.

 

Are You Experiencing TMJ Problems?

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

As Certified Specialists in Orthodontics, Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson don’t just make amazing looking smiles, they also deal with the bite as a whole…including the jaw. If you touch your face right in front of your ear while opening and closing your jaw, you’ll feel your temporomandibular joint at work. When your temporomandibular joint working as it should, you can yawn or take a big bite of your favorite food without thinking twice. When your temporomandibular joint is off, yawning and opening your mouth wide can cause serious pain.

What is TMD/TMJ? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone on either side of the face. The temporomandibular joint is capable of both hinge and sliding motions, allowing us to shift the jaw side to side and forward and back to do things like chew, yawn, and talk.

While people often refer to problems with the joint as TMJ, that’s the name for the joint itself and TMJ pain is actually a TMJ disorder and part of a larger category of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves the temporomandibular joint or its associated structures, such as the discs, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments.

The most common TMD symptoms include:

• Popping sounds, clicking noises, or a grating sensation when you open and close your mouth

• Pain and tenderness in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders

• Jaws that get stuck or locked in an open or closed position

• A decrease in jaw mobility leading to trouble opening the mouth fully

• A change in your bite (how the top and bottom teeth fit together)

• Muscle spasms around the jaw

• Frequent headaches, earaches, pressure, and pain behind the eyes

What Causes Temporomandibular Joint Disorders? Unfortunately, there isn’t one universal cause when it comes to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. TMD can result from a variety of different things or a combination of things. Symptoms can also appear spontaneously with no obvious source, making pinpointing the root problem difficult. However, TMD is generally thought to be caused by:

• Injury to the jaw or joint 
• Arthritis in the joint 
• The disc eroding or getting displaced 
• Chronic teeth grinding 
• A bite imbalance

If TMD is left untreated, it can lead to inflammation, swelling, or chronic pain. It can also contribute to progressive dental problems, such as premature tooth wear and periodontal disease.

Treatment of TMJ disorders depends on the cause. Custom nightguards or oral splints can be an excellent way to get relief without medication. If TMD is due to malocclusion or an imbalance in bite forces, braces or Invisalign can align the teeth and jaws, which repositions the TMJ and surrounding structures.

There are other issues that can cause the symptoms most commonly experienced with TMD, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even medical conditions like arthritis. That’s why it’s important to receive a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment from experienced orthodontists like Drs. Quest and Johnson. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms associated with TMD, give our office a call.