Oral Airway Evaluation

Many patients are unaware that the mouth and oral airway can significantly affect the breathing efforts of our bodies. If an obstruction of the airway occurs, then the body must work harder to breath and breathing might even stop for a significant amount of time. This will reduce the oxygen in the blood stressing the heart and brain. Heart attack and stroke are common results. This airway blockage is  ‘Obstructive Sleep Apnea.’ This life threatening condition affects millions of patients and many have not been diagnosed or treated. Sleep apnea is a silent killer of the night.

Snoring is a major indicator of obstruction risk. Snoring is intermittent choking due to airway obstruction. Other associated signs and symptoms include:

• high blood pressure
• heart attack
• stroke
• diabetes
• obesity
• reflux disease, GERD
• morning headaches
• morning and daytime sleepiness
• loss of sex drive.

Dr. Davis is committed to evaluating the airway for possible collapse risks for all patients. If an issue is noted, then patients are referred for a medical evaluation. There are simple treatment options for this condition, obstructive sleep apnea, some are dental. Dr. Davis can provide the appropriate dental treatment prescribed by the physician.