6-Foot Tiger In 3-Foot Cage

October 19, 2012
384 Views

Tongue Position Predicts Sleep Apnea

Are you a tired mother? Dr. Felix has seen many tired mothers who complain about being over weight, having a foggy brain and fatigue issues. Follow this patient on her journey to heath with holistic mouth solutions.

Dr. Felix’s patient, let’s call her HPM is age 37. She is the mother of 5 adopted children ages 8 months to 18 years.
“I did lots of reading before making an appointment. This mouth-body connection makes sense to me. I know my mouth is the problem for my issues.,” said HPM. Her last visit to the dentist was for a cleaning 2 years ago. She had a clean dental checkup at that time.

Dr. Felix asked, “What are your top 3 wishes to Fairy Godmother to wave away with her Magic Wand? That’s 3 wishes about your medical and dental health, not career, fame, or fortune.” HPM’s wishes were to improve:

  • Her lower front teeth because they are becoming more crowded
  • Feeling tired all the time, including during the day
  • Her weight, she gained 85 pounds despite being on thyroid supplement
  • Brain fog
  • Infertility
  • Snoring

These are common features of oxygen deficit over many years from Sleep Breathing Disorder that ranges from snoring to Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a medial condition that is diagnosed with a sleep test.

Long before sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there are symptoms like those above and short term memory issues, as in “What did I come into this room for?”

Objective signs includes tooth marks on the side of the tongue. A new study published in November 2011 shows tongue position predicts OSA. HPM’s tongue position confirms her risk for sleep apnea, which is common in Alzheimer’s. A sleep test is indicated in HPM’s case.

The tongue is the obstruction in the airway in OSA. Think of the tongue as a 6-foot tiger in a 3-foot cage. During sleep, when you lay on your back, the tongue has no place to go but the throat.

The body struggles when oxygen drops with the nose partially stuffed, and the tongue in throat. Survival Instinct kicks in and the brain orders the lower jaw and the tongue to “move up!”, which results in teeth grinding and tongue thrusting. Studies have shown teeth grinding and jaw clenching fragments sleep and contributes to fatigue. Tongue thrusting during sleep can worsen teeth crowding.

The “fight or flight” alarm goes off in the body when oxygen level drops. When survival is at stake, somethings give, and fertility is one of them, and memory is another. Weight goes up also because the body feels it is “under siege.”

HPM’s first consultation visit had one main purpose: to connect her whole body health issues with potential Holistic Mouth solutions. Because it’s hard for her to get time off, she chose to get her Records completed at the same visit. Her records can be viewed below:

Sure enough, Dr Felix reads her Cone Beam CT scan and finds that the scan shows HPM’s airway is less than 5 mm wide, when healthy-normal is 12 mm or more. Laying down will further reduce that 5 mm. That explains her oxygen deficit and multiple resulting symptoms.

A sure sign of neck and jaw pain is non-alignment of dental midline (green) and spinal midline (yellow). Note the width of her airway standing is less than half of ideal.

Recent Blogs

Why Am I Waking Up With a Dry Mouth? Effective Tips to Stop It

Sep 15, 2023

Why Am I Waking Up With a Dry Mouth? Effective Tips to Stop It Imagine this: you start the day ready to take on the world, but there is a problem: your mouth’s as dry as cotton! If you are waking up with a dry mouth, it could have many causes. Your mouth needs adequate […]

574 Views Read more

Teeth Grinding & Headaches: All You Need to Know

Aug 30, 2023

If you have an unconscious habit that is bad for your teeth, it will have its effects on other areas of your body, too. Our mind and body are connected as such; when you indulge in teeth grinding and clenching, it will cause pain in your head, jaw, ear, and more, among other symptoms. So, […]

519 Views Read more

Causes & Symptoms of Crowded Teeth

Aug 15, 2023

Do you have crowded teeth? Having teeth that are not properly aligned is not only a cosmetic concern but also indicates that you need dental attention. If you have crowded teeth, it can lead to multiple issues and put your oral health in jeopardy. So, what causes crowded teeth? We will discuss it in this […]

4085 Views Read more

5 Signs Your Jaw is Out of Alignment | What Should You Do?

Jul 30, 2023

Many people don’t realize their jaws could be misaligned. However, the symptoms your mouth is indicating might tell otherwise. Think of this: do your teeth not fit together? Maybe you have trouble speaking or experience teeth grinding at night — these are some signs that could mean you might have dental malocclusion. So, how to […]

1484 Views Read more

All About Tongue Thrusting in Adults

Jul 15, 2023

Do you tend to push your tongue against your teeth when swallowing, eating, or even relaxing? Your mouth is often the medium of symptoms warning against underlying issues within your body, and tongue thrusting is among those signs. You may thrust your tongue against the back of your teeth or between the upper and lower […]

5996 Views Read more

Crooked Bottom Teeth: Is it Something You Should Ignore?

Jun 30, 2023

We usually focus on our upper front teeth since they’re the ones we view more often, but the bottom ones matter just as much. So you might not have noticed that you have crooked bottom teeth. If you do, it needs orthodontic treatment not just for cosmetic reasons but for improved oral health as well. […]

4105 Views Read more

7 Reasons Your Baby Might Be Grinding Teeth — Is it Harmful?

Jun 15, 2023

Dental care is essential from the moment the first tooth sprouts through a baby’s gums. Your infant may be unable to talk or speak, but they can communicate their needs and wants using non-verbal cues. Hence, even if they cannot tell you they are in pain, you can still keep an eye out for any […]

3824 Views Read more

Alternatives to CPAP: 6 Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea Without CPAP

May 30, 2023

Imagine sleeping with a device that sends constant pressurized air to keep your airways open as you sleep – that is what a CPAP does for obstructive sleep apnea patients. However, there are options for sleep apnea treatment without CPAP. So, to stay informed on what the CPAP alternatives are, continue reading! What is Continuous […]

6182 Views Read more

Sinus & Tooth Pain: Exploring the Link Between Teeth & Sinuses

May 15, 2023

Did you know an infection in your sinuses can affect your teeth? Our entire body is interconnected, with no exclusion of any body part. Sinuses are located near your mouth, so when it becomes infected, the resulting pressure causes pain in the upper teeth. But how to know if you have sinus tooth pain or […]

4315 Views Read more

Waking Up Gasping for Breath: What is Your Body Trying to Tell You?

Apr 30, 2023

Imagine going to sleep after a long day, looking forward to a deep slumber – but it ends with you waking up gasping for breath. It can be pretty spine-chilling to catch your breath during sleep as if you’re choking. But what could be the reason? When you wake up with a gasp, it could […]

894 Views Read more
Skip to content