PATRICK TESSIER
THE NOSE KNOWS
WHY NASAL BREATHING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF
TREATING SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING
T
he Dental Sleep Medicine
community has long focused on
opening the airway with oral
appliances. Whether you are
using the industry leading TAP
devices or another mandibular
advancement device, the goal
is the same. Pull the mandible
forward to open the airway.
Most of us understand that
when we breathe in through
the nose, our tongue postures
forward. Which helps get
that tissue out of the throat,
clearing the airway. Therefore,
nasal breathing is an excellent
treatment technique.
But, a recent article by Dr. Tom
Colquitt, illuminates some of
the other significant benefits of
nasal breathing.
• This pumps the lymphatic
system and helps ward off
infection and inflammation. Most people that try it report
a noticeable improvement and
find it very comfortable.
4) Nasal exhalation keeps the
nasal airway moist and warm. The good folks at Airway
Management are now
developing a “mouth shield”
to attach to the dreamTAP
appliance. So far, the results
are encouraging and we
hope to have it available to
our clients by the end of 2018.
• Limits over breathing of CO2,
to maintain blood pH.
To summarize, nasal breathing is
a very important component to
effective treatment. The founder
of Airway Management, Dr.
Keith Thornton, is continuously
refining and improving the TAP
system. Some of his recent work
has been centered on how we
breathe in the air. Specifically,
nasal breathing vs. mouth
breathing.
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1) Nasal inhalation cleans,
humidifies and warms the
inspired air.
2) Nasal inhalation mixes Nitric
Oxide, which is secreted by
paranasal sinuses, with the air.
• The Nitric Oxide kills invasive
pathogenic microorganisms
before they can inflame
tissues downstream.
• Nitric Oxide is a potent
vasodilator which maximizes
O2 saturation in the body
3) Nasal breathing uses the
diaphragm to fully fill and
empty the lungs.
Last year, Dr. Thornton
introduced an add-on device for
the myTAP. It is a “mouth shield”
which mounted over the post
of the myTAP. This soft silicone
is positioned in front the teeth
and behind the lips. It is very
effective in promoting nasal
breathing. It also prevents dry
mouth and saliva drool.
PATRICK TESSIER
DIRECTOR OF DENTAL
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
AIRWAY MANAGEMENT