What do airway management and dentistry have in common? They both have to do with your mouth! Thanks to their specialized knowledge of oral anatomy, a dentist is well-qualified to help with airway management and treat the various conditions associated with it. Keep reading to learn more about the surprising connection between these two things.
Airway Anatomy: More Than Your Lungs
Most people associate breathing issues with the lungs. To be fair, the lungs are really important for proper oxygen flow. But they’re only one part of a larger system. After all, how do your lungs get oxygen? Through your mouth and nose!
When dentists evaluate a patient’s airway management, they consider how the patient’s oral anatomy affects their ability to breathe. In practice, this means they primarily focus on how the jaw is positioned, the way the teeth are aligned, and the surrounding soft oral tissue.
How the Jaw, Teeth, & Soft Tissue Affect Breathing
Your ability to breathe ultimately hinges on the relationship between the different parts of your airway and how they function together. In other words, they’re all interconnected. But to give you an idea of what a dentist looks for during an airway management appointment, here’s a brief outline of how the jaw, teeth, and soft tissue affect your breathing:
The Jaw
When the upper or lower jaw is positioned too far forward, incoming air can be partially blocked by the teeth. This limits oxygen intake while breathing.
The Teeth
Teeth that are crooked or overcrowded can also obstruct airflow, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to the lungs and blood cells.
Soft Tissue
Excessive oral tissue or tissue that is inflamed creates a similar problem, though you’re more likely to notice the effects while lying down. Lip- and tongue-ties also fall under this category because they are essentially strands of tissue that restrict how the tongue and lip move.
The Importance of Proper Airflow
Issues commonly associated with oral airflow problems include sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. This is because a poorly positioned jaw can also strain the TMJ, while all three anatomical abnormalities can become more obstructive when lying down at night. Sleep apnea and TMJ disorders are bothersome to be sure, but they can also cause long-term complications like:
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle tension
- High blood pressure
- Tinnitus
- Heart disease
Patients with improper airflow might also breathe with their mouth open in order to compensate, which often leads to dry mouth and increases risk of gum disease and cavities.
Clearly, being able to breathe easy is important for your overall health, wellness, and comfort!
How Your Dentist Can Help
To help improve airway management, a dentist can offer several treatments. The best one for you simply depends on the nature of your symptoms. Orthodontics, for example, can free the airway by straightening out the jaw, while an oral sleep appliance can move oral tissue out of the way while you sleep.
If you suspect you’re not breathing as well as you could be, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist and primary care provider about airway management in Chevy Chase!
About the Author
Dr. Annie Yu is very passionate about airway management and how she can use dentistry to address the issue. She’s completed advanced training courses on airway and sleep treatment through the Spear Institute, The Breathe Institute, and Sleep Group Solutions. Thanks to her dedication, she’s well-qualified to help patients breathe easy and enjoy life to the fullest. To contact her office and schedule a consultation, call 240-743-4421.