Focusing on Flow Limitation and Fragmented Sleep in Dana Point, CA

Your breath is one of the central components of a good night’s sleep, which can impact more than your day—it can affect your overall health.

Flow limitation is an essential parameter in sleep breathing disorders, and it can result in fragmented sleep, making you sore, sleepy, cranky, and can threaten your overall health. When this occurs, Dr. Mark Cruz can help. They are board-certified dentists in Dana Point, CA, specializing in airway dentistry, working with patients who may be experiencing flow limitation and fragmented sleep.

How to Treat Flow Limitation and Fragmented Sleep

Flow limitation refers to your body’s inability to increase airflow in response to increased respiratory effort. You’re breathing deeper, but you’re still getting a limited amount of oxygen. That impacts the consistency of your sleep, interrupting sleep patterns and leading many patients to wake up throughout the night.

Many factors can lead to flow limitation, and Dr. Cruz specializes in determining these underlying causes in each patient. They offer various techniques and procedures to treat patients with flow limitations, helping you breathe easily throughout the night.

For some patients, your dentist can address flow limitations with minor lifestyle modifications. Weight loss, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking can all impact your breathing while asleep. Research has connected flow limitation and sleep fragmentation to bruxism (teeth grinding), so patients can use oral appliances like mouthguards to reduce the impact. 

In some cases, your dentist may suggest a CPAP machine, which will open your airways and help you sleep comfortably through the night. Surgical treatment may also be an option for certain patients, although Dr. Cruz always prefer the most conservative approach possible when trying to get the best results.

Dr. Cruz brings years of experience and deep knowledge to every appointment. They can diagnose any flow limitation issues with a series of simple, low-impact tests. They work closely with each patient until they understand the cause of your symptoms and how they can help. Emphasizing education and communication, they’ll work to keep you informed, answering all your questions along the way. Their goal is for you to be an active participant in your care and to help you get a good night’s sleep.

To make an appointment with Dr. Cruz, call their office today at (949) 661-1006.