The Connection with Sleep Apnea

The most common cause of drowsy driving is sleep apnea. The literal translation of apnea is the “cessation of breathing.” This means that while you are sleeping, you stop breathing for a few seconds. These lapses in breathing may only last for about 10 seconds. But it can happen hundreds of times in a night if the case is severe.

One of the latest studies from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that vehicular accidents were reduced by 70% when sleep apnea patients used CPAP therapy for at least four hours a night. Once you are aware an issue exists, it helps you do what you need to do to prevent drowsy driving. 

Dangers of Drowsy Driving

There can be many reasons for falling asleep while driving. Do you have any of these risk factors:

• Fatigued or sleep-deprived
• Working over 60 hours in a week
• Less sleep or jet lag because of travel
• Driving by yourself on dark, rural, or long roads
• Taking antihistamines or other sedating medications
• Shift work involving driving at late or overnight hours

Here are a few of the signs you should pay attention to while you are driving to prevent hurting yourself or someone else:

• Blinking frequently, rubbing your eyes, or yawning
• Not being able to remember the last few miles you drove
• Missing your exit
• Hitting the rumble stops on the side of the road
• Feeling irritable or restless

Try these before traveling to reduce the risk of falling asleep when you drive:

• Get plenty of sleep before you travel. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of good sleep to stay alert during the day.
• Schedule breaks about every 2 hours or 100 miles if you are taking a long trip
• Arrange to have someone travel with you
• Avoid using alcohol and medications that have a sedative effect (Discuss your medications with your doctor.)
• Don’t just stare at the road ahead, move our eyes around and focus on objects both near and far.

High-Risk Groups for Driving Drowsy

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, and for some, it may go undiagnosed until an accident occurs. The risk of crashing a vehicle because of driving drowsy isn’t the same for everyone. According to the latest research, those who are most likely to fall asleep and crash while driving includes young males, commercial drivers, shift workers, and individuals who have untreated sleep disorders, and those with chronic or long-term sleep deprivation. 

In general, those who work more than 60 hours weekly should be careful, as should commercial drivers. About 15% of truck-related accidents involve a driver who was fatigued. Business travels are often suffering from jet lag. And individuals with untreated sleep apnea are about seven times more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel. 

Contact a Dental Sleep Specialist

If you find that you have trouble staying awake when driving, or if you feel tired throughout the daytime hours, you may have an untreated sleep disorder like sleep apnea. After you have received your diagnosis from a physician and done your sleep study, Dr. Earl K. Bogrow at the Michigan Sleep Apnea Center can help find the sleep apnea dental appliance that is right for you. We invite you to call us for a consultation to discuss your options. Thousands of people are treated every year for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Contact us today and let us help you get better sleep so you can drive safely again.

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Lack of Sleep’s Connection to Periodontitis

In recent years there have been several studies that have discovered a link between a lack of sleep and the onset of periodontitis. This is a condition where deep pockets develop between the teeth and the gums. These pockets are harmful because they cause the teeth to become loose and move freely. This also affects the bone that’s supposed to be holding the teeth in place.

One study conducted by the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine looked at different lifestyle factors of modern workers. Dietary, sleep and exercise habits were observed in 200 workers. Stress levels were also under consideration in this study. The results showed that workers who got adequate amounts of sleep on a nightly basis were at less risk for developing periodontitis than those who got less than seven or eight hours of sleep each night.

Link Between Sleep and Inflammation

What does sleep have to do with inflammation? Getting inadequate amounts of sleep increases inflammation in your body and in the gums. The body tends to produce more inflammatory hormones if it’s not well-rested. Gum inflammation often leads to gingivitis and eventually to periodontitis.

There are also other health dangers of having high levels of inflammation. It can also increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease. Lack of sleep can also negatively impact cognitive abilities making it difficult to make good decisions. Most aspects of a person’s health are impacted by sleep patterns.

How Hard is it To Get a Good Night’s Sleep?

One of the first myths that need to be dispelled is that it’s all about the number of hours of sleep you get. What is more important is that you get good quality sleep. To ensure your teeth and gums are healthy you’ll need seven to eight hours of solid sleep each night. If you find yourself getting up during the night, or if you toss and turn a lot, you won’t reap the benefits. Here are a few tips you can use to help get better sleep:

•  Prioritize Sleep. It’s essential for you to understand the importance of good sleep and making it a priority. Otherwise, you won’t see the importance of making changes. Sleep is more important than making sure the bathrooms and kitchen are sparkling clean before getting to bed. It is much more important for you to be well-rested and ultimately healthy.
•  Sleep Routines. Set a sleep schedule that works for you. Try going to bed a few minutes earlier each night until you can figure out what amount of sleep you need to feel rested. After you get used to the routine, your body will adjust and relax when it’s time to go to bed.
•  Sleep Apnea. If you suspect you are suffering from sleep apnea, contact a sleep professional and request a sleep study. You may need a CPAP machine to help you get a good night’s sleep.
• Dental Issues. Grinding your teeth or clenching them can interrupt sleep. Discuss it with your dentist and ask about appliances that can be worn at night to help you get better rest.
•  Be consistent. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day helps your body get used to your sleep routine. It helps your body keep its natural circadian rhythms.

Dental Health and Sleep

Getting more quality sleep can be beneficial for improving dental health. But you’ll also need to maintain good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing regularly. See your dentist right away if you have bleeding gums, tooth pain, or loose teeth. Having cavities can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Make sure to keep your regular checkups.

Contact a Southfield, MI Dental Sleep Specialist

If you suspect your difficulty getting adequate sleep is due to sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, contact Dr. Earl Bogrow at the Southfield, MI Sleep Center. Let us help you improve your health by improving your sleep.

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Symptoms of SDB

Parents are likely to be the first to raise concerns about some of the symptoms they see. Children have similar symptoms to adults like snoring and teeth grinding, and those mentioned above. Oftentimes, they sit in the waiting area of a psychologist or behavioral medicine specialist when they just need the help of a dental sleep specialist.

Receiving a Proper Diagnosis

Since sleep apnea and many related sleep disorders are rooted in dysfunctional craniofacial development, dentists are often able to screen for them so young patients can be properly diagnosed. The first line of treatment for a child with SDB is usually to remove the tonsils and adenoids, but issues could persist beyond this initial procedure. If this is the case, a dentist can refer a pediatric patient to Dr. Earl Bogrow. He and his staff at Dental Sleep Solutions can provide effective treatment options. The proper Southfield, MI sleep apnea treatments are often very effective if the underlying issue is caught early enough.

Dental Referrals

Once a dentist suspects a child may be suffering from sleep-disordered breathing, a referral should be made to a dental sleep specialist so a proper diagnosis can be made. If you are a dental professional and are unsure about any of your pediatric patients, contact us for more information.

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Dealing with Time Constraints

Dental hygienists are incredibly busy. On top of being among the first staff members that patients see when they have an appointment, they have to see several patients every day while always preparing for more. It makes sense that time would be an issue when it comes to a medical screening. The key here is to streamline the screening of dental sleep patients. All it takes is to ask a few short questions about a patient’s medical history instead of having an in-depth conversation. With the right phrasing and questions, the screening process may only take a minute of the hygienist’s time. 

Dealing with Difficult Questions

The other major sticking point when it comes to screening is having to answer difficult questions. Once again, the screening process can make this easier than people realize. A dental hygienist at a dental sleep practice is more than capable of answering most questions that patients might have, especially if they are prepared to talk about the few questions that are part of the screening process. As long as the hygienist is sincere, honest, and straightforward with any questions or concerns, the process should be relatively simple.

Learn More About Screening Sleep Patients

For more information about how you can make the screening process at your practice easier for all involved, contact Dr. Earl Bogrow at Dental Sleep Solutions. He will be happy to answer any questions that you might have and offer his assistance.

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