Sleep Apnea And The Dental Connection

Those with sleep apnea experience shallow breathing while they sleep or may even stop breathing for a short moment. There are two types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common and occurs when throat muscles excessively relax and cause the airway to collapse. This then blocks airflow and affects breathing. This potentially dangerous condition affects over 18 million people in the United States and yet it is incredibly under diagnosed. Research has shown that sleep apnea can often be diagnosed quicker by a dentist or dental hygienist rather than by a person’s primary care physician.