Wake up to the airway-related root cause of poor sleep: We treat more than mere symptoms

Our dentist, Dr. Mark A. Cruz, describes obstructive sleep apnea as an “end-stage diagnosis” akin to metastatic cancer. We are not being alarmist; instead, we make this comparison to underscore our approach to treating airway problems. Our team in Dana Point, California, emphasizes early intervention. OSA did not arise overnight. It may have begun as a seemingly innocent snore. 

Just as cancer doctors ideally “catch” tumors early into the disease process (before they have metastasized), we want to detect and intervene with snoring and earlier-stage disorders before they progress into full-blown OSA. Reasons for poor sleep must be identified and addressed early. Even better, we strive to pinpoint, resolve, and reverse potential developmental problems before they contribute to impaired breathing, poor quality rest, and other harmful compensations. 

Sleep apnea: Just the tip of the iceberg

If dentistry is erroneously treating the tip of the iceberg, OSA, as a late-stage disease, then the base of this condition is rooted in what’s called “upper airway resistance syndrome” or “sleep fragmentation.” True to its name, otherwise, “healthy” individuals may sleep in fragmented segments. They are unable to cycle through sleep stages as nature intended. This condition is accompanied by many dental and medical signs and symptoms, including: 

• Crooked teeth 
• Unstable and labored breathing 
• Snoring and other forms of airway collapse 
• Mouth breathing (versus healthy nasal breathing)
• Failure to thrive during pivotal developmental stages
• A narrow palate
• Mid-facial deficiency
• Inflammation
• Hypertension
• Cognitive dysfunction 
• ADHD

We cannot overstate; crowded or misaligned teeth are not the actual problem. They are symptomatic of a much bigger, breathing-related issue. That issue often arises at birth or within the first 1,000 days of life. Our faces may fail to develop forward. They may grow vertically due to behaviors such as bottle-feeding. The action of properly latching and nursing supports healthy muscle and bone growth. Additionally, other environmental factors — from allergens to pollutants — promote unhealthy mouth-breathing and persistent nasal congestion and swelling. So, how we breathe influences the development and appearance of our face and can either help or inhibit our wellness and health. 

Treating causes, not symptoms

Crooked teeth or malocclusion may be indicative of a poorly developed airway. And, when you have a “small caliber” airway, it tends to collapse during sleep. Breathing becomes labored. And, among healthy individuals experiencing earlier-stage disease, their autonomic nervous system constantly wakes them up, resulting in poor quality sleep. 

The related airway collapse may manifest as snoring. As the muscle tissue in the airway decreases in size, turbulence is created. This turbulence causes the tissues to flap or vibrate, producing the characteristic snore. Snoring and associated processes were unheard of 500 years ago. 

Due to environmental changes in basic functions, from nursing to chewing food, we look very different from our ancestors. Earlier humans tended to have naturally straight, uncrowded teeth, as well as a wide palate, high cheekbones, and forward-growing faces. Such facial development furthermore supports healthy airway function, breathing, restorative sleep, and wellness. Form and function are intertwined.

Whereas conventional health care providers may treat symptoms with braces and extractions, we assess the risk of compensations and developmental problems and intervene early and accordingly. We can protect or reverse the cascade of health problems arising from fundamental dysfunction, often of early origin. For us, patients must be more than “not sick.” We support their pursuit of optimal wellness. So they can lead their fullest lives. Start your journey to better sleep and better health. Call the office of Mark A. Cruz, DDS, in Dana Point, CA, at (949) 661-1006 today.