At Quince Orchard Dental Care, our practice is a complete health practice, which means that while our specialty is oral health, we consider your overall health in everything we do. Educating our patients on the systemic link between the mouth and the body is one unique and very important aspect of our practice. We desire that our patients understand that the risk of contracting other inflammatory diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other serious diseases can be raised by periodontal disease. A healthy mouth is free from biofilm, oral pain, calculus (tartar), oral cancer, sensitivity to hot and cold, bad breath, decay and gum disease.

Sleep Apnea is a commonly found sleep disorder that occurs when regular breathing is interrupted during sleep, resulting in reduced oxygen to the brain and body. Signs of sleep apnea include snoring at night and frequent fatigue during the day. If you come in to us with these signs, we will suggest you get a screening done for sleep apnea. The two main forms of sleep apnea are called Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is blocked airflow during sleep, usually when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses while you sleep. Health factors, such as obesity may explain this disorder.

Central sleep apnea results from a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles. The airway is not blocked, instead the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. This type of sleep apnea can occur with conditions such as heart failure, brain tumors, brain infections, and stroke and predisposes the patient to developing risks of these disorders over the long term.

At Quince Orchard Dental Care, we screen all our patients for potential signs of sleep apnea. After screening, if a patient has any indicators of sleep apnea, we partner with an agency called Sleeptest.com to send a screening package to the patient’s house. This is an easier and more cost effective alternative to getting a sleep test done at a sleep center. The patient will sleep with the device for two nights and then send it back to Sleeptest.com, where their board certified sleep expert will perform rigorous tests. If diagnosed, our dentists will work together with your physician to ensure you get the necessary treatment.

Treatment options include, oral appliance therapy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and surgery. Oral Appliances or devices can greatly help patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea. The mandibular advancement device is one of the most widely used dental appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. It has the appearance of a sports mouth guard and works by slightly forcing the lower jaw down and forward.This offers tremendous help in keeping the airway open, thereby preventing problems in breathing.

Preventive Dentistry incorporates knowledge and education that equips children and adults with the techniques they need to keep teeth clean, strong and white. At Quince Orchard Dental Care, we strive to provide attentive consultations that allow for us to delve a little deeper and provide education about proper dental care as well as your overall health. Timeliness and attentiveness are cornerstones in how we do what we do. We invite you to come in today and get a sleep apnea screening for a better night’s sleep tomorrow.