Changing the Way We Breathe
Sleep apnea and UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome) are two common sleep disorders that impact healthy breathing during sleep. They can affect oral function, facial development, and general health. This is why at Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge, we treat these conditions and their associated symptoms.
Treatment for UARS and other sleep disorders can range from oral appliances, like aligners, to breathing techniques. We use various methods to address these problems and ultimately improve patients’ oral function and overall health.
What is UARS?
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, or UARS, is a sleep disorder characterized by restricted breathing during sleep. This restriction is due to a partial blockage of the upper airway. This blockage may be caused by soft tissue, fat deposits, or the tongue.
When you have UARS, you don’t experience breathing trouble while you’re awake. This is because the airway muscles and tissues are tense for effective breathing and the tongue is poised for speaking and swallowing.
In individuals with UARS, when these tissues and muscles relax during sleep, the airway narrows. The tongue may also slip backwards and partially obstruct the airway.
These constrictions limit airflow, causing respiratory muscles to exert more effort with each breath. Patients often wake briefly many times a night as a result.
UARS can prevent the body from getting enough sleep and oxygen for extended periods of time, leading to various health issues. Patients with UARS are also prone to snoring. This is because loose airway tissues and muscles can vibrate due to air movement when you breathe.
What is the Difference Between UARS and Sleep Apnea?
There is a significant difference between UARS and sleep apnea, even though they both cause similar symptoms.
UARS causes partial restriction of the upper airway when you sleep. Sleep apnea has three forms, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA may cause partial or total obstruction of your airway during rest. When the airway is completely blocked, breathing stops and the brain triggers you to wake up to take in oxygen.
Why It’s Important to Address Poor Breathing Function
It’s important to address sleep-related breathing disorders because they can impact your facial development, dental health, and general health. For example, sleep apnea and UARS have been linked to heart attack, stroke, and mental health disorders.
Additionally, improper breathing can lead to a sunken or jutting chin, bite misalignment, or even a deviated septum. These risks are higher for young patients whose face and jaw are still developing.
How Physical Development Is Affected
Sleep-related breathing disorders often result in snoring and mouth breathing. These symptoms are also common with tongue-tie.
When a person, especially a child, chronically breathes through their mouth, it can put strain on the lower jaw. As a result, their face elongates as it develops, compromising nasal breathing.
Bones in the nose, upper face, and tissue supporting structures are all affected by the way we breathe. Lack of airflow through the nose can slow the rate of facial development. It can also narrow the upper airway and affect nasal development specifically. These complications can lead to snoring, bite misalignment, and OSA (if sleep apnea isn’t the underlying cause).
Other side effects of mouth breathing can include:
- Dry Mouth
- Bad Breath
- Dry Lips
- Dental Health Problems
- Poor Nasal Development
- Poor Facial and Jaw Development
- Lower Jaw is Jutting or Sunken
- Bite Misalignment
- Drooling at Night
- Trouble Speaking or Chewing
- General Health Problems (such as high blood pressure)
Addressing sleep-related breathing disorders helps maintain the beauty, balance, and function of the face. Without proper treatment, many developmental problems can occur as a result of mouth breathing, disturbed sleep, and reduced oxygen intake.
General Health and Dental Health
General Health Side Effects
You might be surprised to learn that side effects of sleep-related breathing disorders can include many general health issues. Reduced oxygen in the blood and lack of sleep can result in the following:
- Exhaustion/Chronic Fatigue
- Daytime Drowsiness
- Mental Health Issues
- Moodiness/Irritability
- Trouble Concentrating/Memory Issues
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Frequent Upper Respiratory Infections
- Sore Throat
- Heart Problems (such as heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- Jaw Pain/TMJ
- Posture Issues
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (can be caused by UARS and/or mouth breathing)
General health issues linked to sleep-related breathing disorders worsen over time. This is one reason why it’s so important to seek effective treatment for these types of conditions.
Dental Health Side Effects
Another concern for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders is how these conditions impact dental health.
Mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, and UARS can all cause a variety of symptoms that affect jaw and smile development. Some of these side effects include the following:
- Dry Mouth
- Bad Breath
- Tooth Decay
- Plaque Build-Up
- Gum Disease
- Bite Misalignment
- Dental Erosion
- Teeth Grinding
If you’re struggling with a sleep-related breathing disorder, your smile will likely be affected. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available for UARS, OSA, snoring, mouth breathing, etc.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome Treatment
At Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge, we understand the intricate nature of breathing disorders, including UARS. We’re experienced in treating these conditions through natural means.
Some UARS sleep treatments include:
- UARS Oral Appliance Therapy (e.g. aligners, MARPE appliance, the UARS DNA appliance, etc.)
- Buteyko Breathing Coaching
- Myofunctional Therapy
- CPAP Machine
- Oral Exercises
When you come to Beyond Smiles, we work to find the best treatment for your UARS and the most effective application. Whether that looks like a UARS dental appliance, or breathing exercises, our team is here to help.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
For patients suffering with sleep apnea in Park Ridge, IL there are a variety of treatment options available. At Beyond Smiles, we offer the following:
- Oral Appliance Therapy (e.g. ALF appliances, the DNA appliance, growth guidance appliances, etc.)
- CPAP Machine
- Oral Exercises
- Osteopathic Treatment
- Buteyko Breathing Coaching
- Myofunctional Therapy
If you’re searching for “sleep apnea treatment near me” in Park Ridge, contact us at Beyond Smiles today. We’ll help diagnose and treat your condition so you can breathe easier and live a healthier life.
Surgical Treatment for UARS and OSA
Our goal at Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge is to administer non-invasive treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders. However, if surgery becomes necessary or we feel it’s the most suitable option, we’ll recommend a reputable physician to perform your procedure.
Causes of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
There are many potential causes of sleep apnea, snoring, mouth breathing, and UARS. Sleep-related breathing disorders can manifest due to functional, behavioral, or structural issues.
- Functional causes of sleep-related breathing disorders are attributed to physical abnormalities or even bad habits.
- Behavioral causes of sleep-related breathing disorders are linked to the mind, emotional wellness, and everyday life. Some examples include stress, poor sleep hygiene, diet, mental health issues, and biological desynchronizations.
- Structural causes of sleep-related breathing disorders are physical abnormalities and flaws, such as nasal obstruction or a narrowed airway.
At Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge, we’re here to provide you with advanced, personalized therapies for UARS, OSA, snoring, and other sleep-related breathing disorders. To learn more about our treatment options, contact our dental office to schedule an appointment.
Contact Us – The Best Treatments for UARS, Snoring, and Sleep Apnea
Whether you’re searching for a “dentist for sleep apnea near me” or UARS treatment in Park Ridge, Beyond Smiles is here for you. As a family dentist, we understand every patient’s needs are unique. This means what might be the best sleeping appliance for one UARS patient may not work for another.
At Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge, our dental team is highly skilled at diagnosing the root cause of sleep-related breathing disorders. We always work with you to ensure you’re comfortable with the treatment methods we recommend. If your child is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, UARS, or snoring, you can rely on us for non-invasive solutions.
Contact us today for information on dental appliances for UARS and OSA, breathing therapies, and more.