Treating Disease By Treating Sleep Issues

Treating Disease By Treating Sleep Issues

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Hosted by Dr. Michael Bennett, board-certified in cranial pain and sleep disorders, this episode of More Than Teeth Podcast dives into a transformative truth: better sleep is not just about rest—it's about prevention, recovery, and resilience. Joined by his wife Cathy, Dr. Bennett explores the impact of sleep on chronic illness, child development, family dynamics, and even the national healthcare crisis.

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Why Sleep is the Ultimate Healer

The human body is remarkably self-healing—but that healing happens primarily during sleep, not while we’re awake. Dr. Bennett emphasizes that we experience three states of being: wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep. Optimal health relies on completing four to six sleep cycles per night, including sufficient deep non-REM sleep and roughly 20% REM sleep.

During these restorative stages:

• Muscles relax, allowing blood to flow more freely
  
  
• Nutrients are delivered, and toxins are removed
  
  
• Hormones are balanced
  
  
• Neural repair occurs, boosting memory and emotional resilience
  
  

Poor-quality or insufficient sleep disrupts this entire cycle, accelerating aging, increasing the presence of free radicals, and weakening every organ system.

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The High Cost of Poor Sleep—Financial and Physical

Dr. Bennett shares a striking observation from his dental practice: as his patients began breathing better and sleeping better, the frequency of cavities and gum disease dropped dramatically. This pattern highlighted a bigger implication—treating the root cause of disease, such as sleep-disordered breathing, could drastically reduce personal and national healthcare costs.

Sleep disorders, especially untreated sleep apnea, are directly linked to:

• Higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease
  
  
• Increased life insurance premiums
  
  
• Elevated healthcare spending over time
  
  

As Cathy shares from her public health training, even healthcare providers are often missing the mark. In a survey she conducted, over 70% of respondents said their providers had never asked them about their sleep—a staggering statistic for something so central to health.

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Treating More Than Teeth: Why Dentists Are on the Frontline

You might wonder, why is a dentist discussing sleep? As Dr. Bennett explains, the mouth sits below the nose and in front of the throat—the critical gateway to the airway. A small or underdeveloped jaw can physically obstruct breathing, especially during sleep.

Dentists trained in sleep medicine are uniquely positioned to:

• Evaluate airway anatomy
  
  
• Detect structural risk factors for sleep apnea
  
  
• Provide oral appliances that improve breathing
  
  
• Support non-surgical treatment plans that grow and restore airway space
  
  

In some cases, patients report reduced snoring, improved energy, and even relief from headaches, migraines, and jaw pain after addressing airway issues with their dentist.

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Case Study: Tourette Syndrome and a Nine-Year-Old’s Transformation

One of the most compelling stories from the episode involves a young boy with Tourette Syndrome. He presented with frequent involuntary vocalizations and facial tics severe enough to cause public distress and school difficulties. His condition was so debilitating that simple family outings became overwhelming.

Through a comprehensive, non-surgical airway treatment plan—including nasal breathing interventions and a custom oral appliance—his symptoms improved by 75%. He and his family were spared a lifetime of medications with harsh neurological side effects.

As Cathy puts it, “To see in the video how the ticking stopped—it was truly emotional. That boy’s entire life trajectory changed.”

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Sleep as a Relationship-Saver: The Emotional Side of Snoring

Sleep disorders don’t just affect health—they affect marriages and families. Dr. Bennett shares the story of a husband on the brink of divorce, accused of emotional neglect by his wife due to his constant fatigue. A sleep test revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea, with over 30 breathing interruptions per hour.

After treatment, his energy returned, his snoring stopped, and the marriage began to heal.

This is not uncommon. Snoring, fatigue, and irritability—hallmarks of sleep deprivation—can wreak havoc on relationships. But they’re not moral failings. They’re medical issues.

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The Domino Effect of Underdevelopment: From Baby Bottles to Sleep Apnea

Dr. Bennett explains that underdevelopment of the face and jaws is one of the most overlooked root causes of sleep-related issues. Several factors contribute to this trend:

1. Early weaning or insufficient breastfeeding
   
   
2. Soft, processed baby foods that don’t exercise jaw muscles
   
   
3. Dietary allergies causing chronic nasal congestion
   
   
4. Mouth breathing during childhood
   
   

All of these reduce the natural upward pressure of the tongue against the palate, which is crucial for facial and airway development. The result? Small mouths, crowded teeth, and blocked airways—a breeding ground for lifelong breathing issues.

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What Mouth Breathing Really Does to You

Dr. Bennett emphasizes that any breathing that is not quiet nasal breathing is pathologic. Mouth breathing:

• Reduces oxygen intake by up to 18%
  
  
• Fails to filter and humidify air
  
  
• Bypasses the delivery of nitric oxide—a powerful vasodilator and antimicrobial compound
  
  
• Increases the risk of lung aspiration and chronic respiratory inflammation
  
  

In short, mouth breathing during sleep invites illness. And no, anti-snoring gadgets from late-night infomercials are not the solution—in fact, some may worsen apnea by collapsing the airway further.

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The Bigger Picture: National Epidemics and What We Can Do

Dr. Bennett and Cathy touch on rising rates of:

• Obesity
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes
  
  
• ADHD diagnoses in children
  
  
• Chronic fatigue and autoimmune disorders
  
  

All of these are associated with poor-quality sleep and disrupted breathing. The encouraging news? There is hope—and prevention is possible.

Early detection of airway issues in children can eliminate the need for medications and improve behavior, mood, and school performance. Adults can often reverse symptoms of chronic illness by addressing root causes rather than masking them.

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The Path Forward: Collaborative Care and Custom Solutions

Proper treatment of sleep-disordered breathing involves interdisciplinary collaboration, including:

• Dentists for oral airway development
  
  
• ENTs for structural nasal blockages
  
  
• Sleep physicians for diagnostic oversight
  
  
• Dietitians for allergy management
  
  
• Chiropractors or physical therapists for postural support
  
  
• Counselors for anxiety that impacts sleep
  
  

Patients aren’t limited to lifelong CPAP machines. Biomimetic appliances and oral devices can stimulate airway growth, restoring form and function. When sleep improves, so does digestion, immunity, memory, and emotional health.

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Final Thoughts: The Gift of Healing Sleep

Dr. Bennett leaves listeners with a powerful reminder:

“If you can breathe and sleep well, your body can heal itself.”

Sleep is the foundation of health, the regulator of hormones, the protector of relationships, and the antidote to chronic disease. Whether you’re a child with behavioral issues, a middle-aged adult struggling with fatigue, or a parent worried about future generations—the solution begins at night.

Future episodes will explore specific diseases, diagnostic models, and practical solutions. Dr. Bennett and Cathy will also interview experts across healthcare fields to equip listeners with the knowledge they need to reclaim their sleep—and their health.

Until then, remember: there’s hope. There’s healing. And it begins with sleep.

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