How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Impair Beauty

By Arthur M. Strauss, DDS

Arthur M. Strauss, DDS

. http://www.amstraussdds.com

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How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Impair Beauty

Over the years I have been discussing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as a description of a structural condition, which is seen as a sleep condition rather than a structural condition during sleep. I believe that studying the same structural relations associated with OSA, while we are both awake and asleep, can and will provide a better understanding for how the functions.

Medicine's principles of CPR (cardio-pulmonary-resuscitation) sequence of “airway-breathing-circulation” illustrates that the airway, essentially the jaw-tongue-throat relationship comes first. It controls airflow and ease of breathing, as well as the rest of the body.

I have also noted that my understanding of science has led me to conclude that the design function of the body is “to keep itself alive”, and it compensates for structural compromise to airflow through the throat by

• Clenching and/or grinding teeth (more often during sleep)

• Increased adrenaline secreted as in the “fight or flight” response to increase muscle tone and activity to support breathing and circulation

• Posture changes (poor posture while awake and postural changes while asleep)

Compensation impact on our concept of beauty is

• The tooth clenching and grinding is associated with TMJ issues of pain and poor posture. Worn teeth from grinding often decrease facial support leading to wrinkles and frown lines from jaw and facial muscle changes.

• The increased frequency and intensity of the “fight or flight” or “stress response” is stress, and stress impairs beauty and health.

• Posture change, as forward head posture, which continues impacting total posture, not only predisposes us to musculoskeletal pain (adding to the stress response), compression of the rib cage, lung capacity and even vital organs.

Posture changes (below) allow the jaw and tongue to fall forward as influenced by gravity while sitting or standing while awake.

For every inch your head moves “forward”, the head “gains” 10 pounds in weight and the muscles in your upper back and neck have to work harder to keep the head (chin) from dropping forwards onto your chest.

This increases with aging as does OSA and, I believe, osteoporosis may be posture changes related to OSA.

This detracts from our concept of beauty, yet appropriate dental intervention focusing on Oral Systemic Balance to maximize the dental relationship to ease of breathing, can likely prevent or minimize this as it addresses much of the origin of OSA.