Dr. Murillo, Dds Warns About Sleep Disorders and Oral Health

Dr. Murillo, DDS Warns About Sleep Disorders and Oral Health

1888 PressRelease - In her San Diego-based practice which offers general, restorative and cosmetic dental services for the whole family, Dr. Murillo, DDS has seen firsthand the negative impact of common sleep disorders like apnea and bruxism on oral health. To learn more, visit www.mmdentalcare.com.

"In our practice, we often have patients whose oral and overall health is at risk due to nighttime activities like temporary cessation of breathing and grinding," says Maricela Murillo. "And the longer these disorders go untreated, the more problems patients can face in the future."

Sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes fatal, medical disorder that affects approximately 10 percent of American men over the age of 40, and 6 percent of women the same age. Sleep apnea sufferers completely stop breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in the course of a night, because the airway becomes obstructed, causing a serious reduction of airflow to the lungs.

Bruxism refers to an oral parafunctional activity, most commonly, the grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw that causes the most damage during sleeping hours. Typically, the incisors and canines of opposing arches grind against each other laterally. Earache, depression, headaches, eating disorders and anxiety are among the most common symptoms of bruxism.

"Because of the nature of our exams, dentists are often the first health care providers to proactively identify patients who suffer from apnea or bruxism," explains Dr. Murillo. "The good news is that there are treatment options available that can be performed right at the dentist's office."

A number of dental devices can be used to alleviate sleep apnea. They fall into two categories - fixed and adjustable - and are intended to separate the jaws and push them forward slightly to open up the airway, allowing oxygen to flow freely again.

"Our patients who wear sleep apnea...