There are various treatment options available for people diagnosed with sleep apnea, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and lifestyle modifications [1]. In some cases, surgical interventions may be necessary to correct structural problems that contribute to the condition.

But what happens when you feel you’ve successfully treated sleep apnea—can the condition return? Here’s what you need to know.

Factors that May Contribute to Recurrence

Sleep apnea can return in some cases, even after a successful treatment. Several factors can contribute to the return of sleep apnea, including:

• Weight gain. Excess weight, especially around the throat, can contribute to the likelihood of airway blockages [2].
• Aging. As we age, changes in muscle tone and reduced elasticity in throat tissues can worsen airway obstructions.
• Lifestyle changes. Smoking or heavy alcohol consumption can negatively impact the airways and lead to a recurrence of sleep apnea.
• Nasal conditions. Allergies, sinus problems, or nasal congestion can disrupt airflow and contribute to the return of sleep apnea symptoms.
• Equipment issues. Issues with CPAP equipment or oral appliances—or failing to use them consistently—can render the treatment less effective, leading to recurrent symptoms.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Post-treatment monitoring is crucial to ensure that sleep apnea does not return or worsen. Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers can help track the effectiveness of the treatments and make necessary adjustments if symptoms reappear.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have had a successful treatment protocol, it’s still important to:

• Get regular check-ups. Schedule regular exams with your healthcare provider or sleep specialist to review your current status and make necessary changes.
• Stay healthy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by managing weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption can decrease the risk of recurrence.
• Be consistent with treatment. Be sure to consistently use recommended oral devices or CPAP machines and consult with a specialist if adjustments or replacements are necessary [3].

When to Seek Further Treatment

Since sleep apnea can cause such severe side effects, it’s crucial to watch for signs that may signal the return of the condition. Pay attention to symptoms such as snoring, waking up gasping for air, excessive daytime sleepiness, and irritability. If you notice these symptoms returning, it’s essential to seek further assessment and intervention.

Contact Your Dentist

While sleep apnea is managed with the help of a sleep specialist, dentists play a vital role when it comes to oral appliance therapy. These appliances can be highly effective alternatives to CPAP machines for many people with sleep apnea.

If you suspect your sleep apnea has returned despite previous treatment or you’re interested in exploring oral appliance therapy, contact your dentist. Together, we can work towards ensuring that you achieve a restful night’s sleep!

Sources:

1. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/treatment
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3021364/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4232454/ 

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How Sleep Apnea Damages Your Mouth

Sleep apnea can cause oral health problems such as:

• Chronic dry mouth. When breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, your body responds by shifting to mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can dry out the oral cavity, leading to reduced saliva and an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Teeth grinding. Many sleep apnea patients unconsciously clench or grind their teeth, which can cause cracked or broken teeth, damaged fillings, and jaw discomfort [1].
• Bleeding gums. Bleeding gums occur when interrupted breathing during sleep reduces oxygen flow to gum tissue, making them more susceptible to inflammation and bacterial infection [2].
• TMJ pain and jaw discomfort. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain results from repeated clenching and strain on jaw muscles and joints during sleep apnea episodes, leading to chronic discomfort and limited jaw movement.

The Dental Professional’s Role in Sleep Apnea

Your dentist may be the first healthcare provider to spot signs of sleep apnea. During routine check-ups, they can identify telltale indicators that suggest this sleep disorder, including:

• Scalloped tongue edges
• Enlarged tonsils
• Reddened soft palate
• Worn tooth surfaces
• Receding gumline

Getting Treatment for Sleep Apnea With Your Dentist

Your dentist can help protect your oral health while working alongside your sleep specialist to manage the condition. They might recommend custom-fitted oral appliances that help maintain open airways during sleep while protecting your teeth from grinding damage.

For some patients, an oral appliance offers an alternative to CPAP therapy, especially for mild to moderate cases [3]. These devices work by positioning the jaw slightly forward, helping to keep airways open during sleep.

Managing sleep apnea effectively requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the sleep disorder and its oral health implications. Your dentist can recommend specific oral hygiene practices and products designed to combat dry mouth and protect your teeth during sleep.

Don’t Wait to Seek Help

If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or noticing changes in your oral health, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Early intervention can prevent serious complications and protect both your sleep quality and dental health. Your dentist can perform a thorough evaluation and coordinate with sleep specialists to develop an effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Sources:

1. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/link-between-sleep-apnea-and-teeth-grinding
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9393785/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6956298/ 

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Sleep apnea has several causes, and unless the underlying problem is resolved, it’s unlikely that
you would grow out of sleep apnea. Here’s how some people may be able to resolve their sleep
apnea while others will need permanent management.

Addressing the Cause

The primary cause of sleep apnea is muscles in your airway relaxing to the point that they
actually collapse and prevent you from breathing. The cause of this could be obesity or the use
of certain medications or even alcohol which can relax the muscles in the throat too much.
These are risk factors for sleep apnea that you may be able to control, so you do have the
chance to resolve your sleep apnea, although you won’t grow out of it without addressing the
root cause.

You shouldn’t avoid treatment because you think you’ll be able to grow out of your sleep
apnea, especially when this disorder severely impacts your quality of life through headaches,
fatigue, high blood pressure, and premature death.

People Who Cannot Grow Out of Sleep Apnea

Some people have a unique facial structure that predisposes them to sleep apnea even if they
don’t have any other risk factors. This includes having a narrow throat or a thick neck. Often,
people who are overweight or obese have excess skin around the neck, making them more
likely to have sleep apnea.

People who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea as a result of their unique constitution will
not be able to grow out of it. For these sufferers of sleep apnea, finding the right management
of the disorder is essential to curb the symptoms.

What About Children?

Children have a better chance to grow out of sleep apnea, especially if the root cause is
addressed. For children, enlarged tonsils or even an overbite could be contributing to their
sleep apnea. Finding the cause is essential to treating sleep apnea in children.

Parents shouldn’t avoid treatment because they believe their child will eventually grow out of
it. This is not true for some children. If sleep apnea persists pasts adolescence, the disorder is
much more likely to be a chronic problem and will need suitable treatment to stop the
symptoms.

People who suffer from sleep apnea are unlikely to grow out of the disorder. Children have a
better chance than adults, but they should never forgo treatment because of this. It’s
imperative to uncover the cause of your sleep apnea so that you can work to manage or even
possibly eliminate the disorder.

Your dentist can talk with you about your sleep apnea symptoms or those of your child and
refer you to a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis so you can get the treatment you need to
get your health back!

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Although some children may grow out of their sleep apnea, the effects of this sleep disorder are
devastating, so getting treatment while it lasts is important. Here’s why your child may not
grow out of their sleep apnea and how treatment can make a difference.

Determine the Cause of Your Child’s Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea could be caused by different things, depending on your child’s specific
circumstances. Some of these causes include being overweight or obese, having cleft palate,
having chronic allergies, enlarged tonsils, or an under-developed respiratory system could all be
at the root of your child’s sleep apnea.

By discovering the cause, you can determine a solution with your child’s sleep specialist. If your
child has enlarged tonsils, they may need to have their tonsils removed, or if they’re
overweight, a weight management program may help alleviate their symptoms. Regardless,
getting treatment is important to stopping your child’s sleep apnea.

How Treatment Alleviates Symptoms

When your child receives the proper treatment for sleep apnea, their symptoms will lessen,
helping them to experience a better quality of life. Symptoms of sleep apnea for children could
include trouble sleeping, long pauses in breathing while sleeping, persistent mouth breathing,
snoring, and behavioral problems such as attention deficit disorder.

Due to its diverse range of symptoms, sleep apnea may be difficult to recognize for some
parents. When the core issue of your child’s sleep apnea is solved, they’ll sleep better at night
and get the rest they need to perform better during the day, therefore helping them overcome
sleep apnea.

Getting a Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis is the first step in determining whether or not your child has sleep apnea
and then finding out the cause of their sleep apnea. Don’t attempt to diagnose your child’s
sleep apnea or figure out the cause, as it could be more harmful than helpful to them. A sleep
specialist is the best person to diagnose your child’s sleep apnea.

If a specific cause isn’t found for your child’s sleep apnea, an oral appliance may be able to help
your child breathe normally and sleep peacefully at night. Oral appliances are fitted by your
dentist and are more comfortable alternatives to CPAP machines, which can be cumbersome
and frightening for some children. Once a diagnosis is made, you and your child’s doctor can
discuss an appropriate form of treatment that’ll work the best for your child.

Are you seeing symptoms of sleep apnea in your child? If so, consider scheduling an
appointment with their dentist or pediatrician to get a referral to a sleep specialist. A sleep
specialist can diagnose your child’s sleep apnea and work with you to determine the best
solution. Since childhood sleep apnea can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, getting
treatment is the best way to help your child feel better!

The post Can Children Grow Out of Their Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Now there is a solution with sleep apnea dentistry. Your dentist can develop custom sleep appliances to help effectively treat sleep apnea. Sleep appliances place the jaw in a position to help maintain an open airway during sleep. Custom sleep devices are sleek and ergonomically designed with acrylic to allow for freedom of lateral and vertical movements along with creating more space for the tongue.

[media-credit id=1 align=”alignleft” width=”350″][/media-credit]Sleep apnea dentists are experts and specialists in creating oral appliances, and these appliances not only treat the sleep apnea and snoring, but they are specially-designed to be kind and sensitive to the needs of the jaw joint.

An at-home sleep study can help map out your sleep and determine the severity of your sleep apnea. Following those results the dentist then measures the airway using acoustic sound waves to determine the best jaw position. A record of this is taken along with a mold of the patient’s teeth.

When your dentist delivers the device, the bite is checked and the fit is check just to make sure the quality of the device is as it should be.

Sleep apnea has reached dramatic proportions the United States, and up to ninety percent of these patients are still un-diagnosed. One of the reasons why dentists have gotten involved in this field is that ninety percent of the obstruction occurs at the level behind the upper and lower jaws or at the soft palate and the tongue.

The typical patient we may think of as suffering from sleep apnea is a 55-year-old man on the couch, TV going and he’s sitting and sleeping on the couch snoring away, however, we don’t want to over stereotype, as people today of all ages, gender and physical condition can and do experience sleep apnea. We treat many male and female patients, who are younger and who are much older, which reinforces the fact that sleep apnea is wide spread and not confined to specific demographics.

Putting on your sleep apnea device is very easy and once in bed you will be able to fall asleep knowing that your sleep will be healthier and will not be interrupted and neither will your partner’s sleep. You should feel much more refreshed and energetic throughout your day with the knowledge you are getting healthier.

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What is dental sleep apnea therapy?

In dental sleep apnea therapy, dentists use oral appliances to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. They select, fit and use oral appliances that are specially designed to open the airways while you sleep.

What types of oral appliances are available?

The most commonly used oral appliance for sleep apnea is a mandibular repositioning appliance (MRA). These appliances look a bit like mouth guards used during sports, and they reposition the lower jaw and gently pull the tongue forward to open the airways.

Tongue retaining appliances (TRAs) use a suction bulb to stop the tongue from collapsing and obstructing the airways while sleeping.

What are the benefits of using oral appliances for sleep apnea?

Oral appliance therapy is non-invasive and completely reversible, and most patients find the appliances easy to wear and comfortable. The majority of patients fully adjust to wearing the appliances within a couple of weeks. Oral appliances are also much smaller and more convenient than CPAP machines, making them ideal for traveling.

Am I a candidate for sleep apnea dentistry?

You may be a candidate for sleep apnea dentistry if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and if your symptoms have not improved with a CPAP machine.

So if you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea or the level of snoring is preventing you from sleeping soundly as night, talk with your dentist about the questions you have, and see how dentists now play an important role to recognize, manage, and treat snoring and sleep apnea. You can also refer to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for more information.

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