An article in the magazine Dental
Economics recently discussed the toll sleep
apnea takes on American society, and the findings are staggering.
The estimated economic impact of apnea in the United States is $165
billion.
Previously a problem confined to the
bedroom, sleep apnea poses more than just a financial risk. Agencies
like the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration have put in place screening requirements and
guidelines in an effort to prevent commercial and mass transit
employees from endangering passengers and bystanders due to sleep
deprivation.
Like a number of other diseases and
conditions, dentists are uniquely positioned to be able to catch
sleep apnea in its early stages. Many patients have found relief from
apnea symptoms through dental interventions such as:
- Combination therapy with an oral appliance and other treatment options
- Interceptive orthodontics
Children as well as adults can suffer
from sleep apnea. The author of the Dental Economics piece (who is
also a dentist) posits that treating developmental issues affecting
the jaw, palate, and other parts of the oral cavity when a patient is
young can reduce the incidence of sleep apnea and have a positive
overall impact on a patient's growth.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can
reduce life expectancy by as much as 20%. To find out how a dental
specialist can help you or a loved one, please call 1 (866)
727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.