The Neurological Consequences of a Misfit Mouth on Sleep
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Jerald Simmons |
TEDxSugarLand
• October 2019
Dr. Simmons discusses the critical need for earlier detection of dental problems to mitigate future health challenges. He explains why people's mouths hold the secret to good sleep. He connects the importance of good sleep to better health later in life.
The lower jaw, or mandible, has a massive influence on our health and well-being. The mandible holds the tongue, and is part of the upper airway. When the jaw is small, it reduces the space for the tongue, crowds the back of the throat while asleep, and frequently leads to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This seemingly minor situation of a small jaw increases our risk of heart disease, stroke, heartburn and a host of other health issues. When asleep, the tongue and muscles of the jaw typically relax and the back of the airway can become crowded. In many, the body attempts to prevent this blockage with actions such as, grinding-and-clenching teeth while asleep, keeping the airway open. This leads to tempormandibular joint dysfunction, pain and destruction of teeth. As a neurologist, I exam the jaw and teeth of patients, looking for signs of sleep apnea. Physicians working with dentists can screen patients with this jaw problem and initiate treatment early-on, even in kids, before years of suffering takes place.