DOMII, a medical-grade home sleep testing (HST) product by Largan Health AI Tech, has partnered with the SMILDEN Group to provide innovative solutions for addressing sleep-apnea in dentistry.
Sleep is crucial for one's quality of life, and interruptions in sleep can have significant effects on the body. Sleep apnea is a common issue faced by many people. Physicians point out that middle-aged men who are obese and have a short neck are most prone to sleep apnea. They recommend performing "tongue exercises" to prevent the tongue from falling backward during sleep, blocking the airway and causing sleep interruptions.
Obstructive sleep apnea mainly manifests as snoring, sudden awakenings, easy fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and irritability. It is more common in middle-aged and older men who are overweight with a thick neck. According to U.S. research statistics, about 20% of adults suffer from sleep apnea, equivalent to over three million people in Taiwan's population. However, due to undiagnosed and untreated cases, the current diagnosed number in Taiwan is only 120,000, a significant difference from the estimated figures.
"After the age of 40, the strength of the tongue weakens, making it prone to fall backward," says Professor Wang Dayuan. When a person lies in bed, if the tongue lacks strength and falls backward, it can easily press on the trachea, leading to sleep interruptions. Wang Dayuan also provides a simple self-test to check tongue strength: place the tip of the tongue between the teeth, bite down, and perform a swallowing motion. If you can swallow continuously ten times, it means the tongue has not aged significantly. If you can only swallow 2-3 times, it indicates a decline in tongue root strength.
Otolaryngologist Huang Zhaofeng mentions that if individuals have nasal allergies, habitual mouth breathing due to congestion may lead to weakened tongue strength. This could result in an early loss of tongue strength, causing respiratory sleep interruptions more quickly than in the general population.
The current frontline treatment often uses positive airway pressure devices to clear the pharynx during sleep, affecting sleep quality. Former Dean of Taipei Medical University's School of Dentistry, Wang Dayuan, indicates that in the past, ENT specialists would suggest surgery to excise the soft palate, but parts might grow back within a year and a half. Laser treatment could burn away the tissue, but relapse is common. Although these issues may not significantly affect daytime activities, the inability to control unconscious movements during sleep can obstruct breathing, reduce blood oxygen levels, and impact sleep quality.
Wen Shizheng, director of a dental clinic, suggests that if individuals are concurrently undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is advisable to perform oral sleep correction after completing orthodontic treatment. The retainer used after orthodontic treatment can be directly replaced with an oral sleep correction device.
Wang Dayuan notes that patients used to wear positive airway pressure devices during sleep, but these devices were bulky and noisy, significantly affecting sleep quality. The new dental treatment method involves adjusting the position of the lower jaw and tongue through correction. Patients can gradually improve sleep apnea by wearing an oral sleep correction device.
Source: Over 40 Years Old, "Weak Tongue" May Cause Sleep Apnea
