If you have been to Frankel Dentistry lately, you probably have been asked to take a brief survey, asking you about your sleep.
What does dentistry and sleep have in common? Actually, more than you would initially think.
Sleep Apnea, a deadly disease that affects millions of Americans, is caused when muscles in the back of the throat relax. Once relaxed the airway is narrowed, not allowing enough breath to enter into the lungs, therefore, lowering the level of oxygen in the blood. When this occurs, the brain recognizes the inability to breathe and will briefly wake you up to reopen your airway. This moment is so brief that you will barely remember it, but it will leave a lasting effect on your quality of sleep, attentiveness, and overall heart, lung, and mental health.
Now here is the catch, millions of Americans are suffering from Sleep Apnea and do not know it. Typical symptoms of Sleep Apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation during sleep witnessed by another person, abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, awakening with a dry mouth or a sore throat, morning headaches, difficulty staying asleep, and attention problems.
This is where Frankel Dentistry comes in with our free Sleep Apnea screening. The brief questionnaire determines if you are currently at risk of having or developing Sleep Apnea. Once the results are analyzed, Frankel Dentistry will determine if further studies are needed to help aid you in your diagnosis of this disorder.
The next step in the process actually takes place in the comfort of your own home. We will sign out a Pulse Ox watch will monitor your sleep throughout the night. This is not a complicated process, simply put it on relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep. Once you awaken, drop the watch back at Frankel Dentistry and we will download the results. This screening allows us to know if further studies need to be done to determine if you are suffering from Sleep Apnea.
If further studies are needed, we would then refer you to a specialist for a final diagnosis. Once finally diagnosed, we would also be able to assist you by fitting you for a custom mouth guard to wear while you sleep. This oral appliance allows your airways to remain open throughout the night, keeping the right levels of oxygen moving through the blood stream, thus improving the quality of your sleep and your overall health. This is just one more way Dr. Frankel helps promote not only a healthy mouth but a healthy body.