4 conditions that may be improved with airway-centered dentistry treatments

As an airway-focused dental practice, the office of Mark A. Cruz, DDS, Inc., provides comprehensive care for your teeth, gums, and other interconnected tissues and structures. Dr. Cruz and his team have considerable and advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating airway issues. They have applied their knowledge and experience to help patients from across the Mission Viejo, California area overcome health challenges associated with poor airway function. We have highlighted four of those challenges below. 

1 – Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Evolutionary and dietary changes have caused human airways to become smaller. To function as designed, our airways must have sufficient room. A lack of room in the airways results in mouth-breathing and other dysfunctional behaviors, which further contribute to conditions like OSA. Breathing through the mouth causes your jaw to drop open and your tongue to push back toward your throat. The tongue may partially or fully obstruct your airway. “Apnea” refers to temporary pauses in breathing. Symptoms include very loud snoring that can be disruptive to your entire household, fragmented and poor quality sleep, and daytime sleepiness. Sudden dips in oxygenation during sleep are also implicated in many serious medical conditions; complications include high blood pressure and insulin resistance/Type 2 diabetes. 

2 – Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

The connection between ADHD and mouth-breathing is largely rooted in the altered sleep patterns and sleep apnea mentioned above. While sleep-disordered breathing in adults tends to manifest as sleepiness and fatigue, children with SDBs may have difficulty paying attention. They may be hyperactive and develop other behavioral problems, such as impulsivity and frequent outbursts. The lack of sleep affects behavior and can induce symptoms of ADHD.

3 – Asthma

Mouth-breathing and other dysfunctional behaviors may trigger asthma and can increase the frequency and severity of attacks. At the office of Mark A. Cruz, DDS, Inc., our treatments support healthy and optimal nasal breathing. Your nose acts as a natural filter. It helps to minimize exposure to common allergens and irritants, such as dust, animal dander, and pollen. Your nose also helps to warm the air. When you breathe through your mouth, the air bypasses your nose and doesn’t have a chance to be warmed or filtered, which can irritate and inflame your airways. 

4 – Anxiety

Chronic mouth-breathing and other dysfunctional breathing patterns can also trigger anxiety. In part, such dysfunction compresses the diaphragm. It does not encourage healthy, deep, and calming breaths. Rather, it promotes rapid and shallow upper-chest breathing. This breathing pattern mimics panic or duress and constantly signals to your brain that you are under stress. It triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which keeps your nervous system in a heightened “fight-or-flight” state.  

Treatments at the office of Mark A. Cruz DDS, Inc., focus on resolving the underlying causes of mouth-breathing and functional disturbances, such as structural or anatomical deficiencies. As an airway-centered practice, we treat the root causes and not just the symptoms of such deficiencies and dysfunction. This approach heals the patient and promotes lifelong health and well-being. Take the first step to life-changing care today – call (949) 661-1006 to schedule your appointment in Mission Viejo, CA today.