Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of an exploration of dentistry’s impact on overall health. In the next publication you receive, we will explore 3D imaging’s impact on sleep apnea.

It’s everywhere you turn, with new trends popping up regularly – from kale smoothies to CrossFit to paleo diets. For every newfound way to achieve optimal health, there’s an old tried-and-true method that gets a reboot. As far as the latter is concerned, there are few ways as effective and important to an individual’s well-being than a restful night’s sleep. It allows the body to rejuvenate and fully prepare for the next day.

Those suffering from sleep apnea miss out on this opportunity.

The National Sleep Foundation reports that more than 18 million American adults are affected by a form of sleep apnea, characterized by repeated periods of interrupted sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common strain of the disorder, is caused by the soft tissue in the throat collapsing and blocking the airway between the nose and throat. This blockage inhibits normal breathing for a minimum of 10 seconds, and in more serious cases, over a minute, according to the American Association of Dental Sleep Medicine.

This obstruction provokes abnormal snoring patterns followed by explosive breaths, often waking sleepers for brief periods of time. These restless nights decrease blood oxygen levels, and over time, increase an individual’s risk for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

It’s safe to say that sleep apnea is a significant health issue – and one that dental medicine historically wasn’t able to do much about. Those days are gone.

Innovative dental advancements offer those suffering with the disorder an alternative treatment plan to the now-ubiquitous CPAP machines. These include oral appliances – customizable devices designed to fit to an individual’s mouth to ensure comfort and functionality when worn overnight.