Dr. Ashley Spooner talks about dental sleep medicine, oral appliances, and photobiomodulation for better sleep

In this episode of Innovators of Health, Dr. Ashley Spooner unpacks the foundations of dental sleep medicine—why sleep is a vital sign, how to spot risk beyond weight and snoring, and where oral appliance therapy fits as a patient-friendly alternative to CPAP. She shares practical protocols and lifestyle tactics that improve sleep quality, plus how photobiomodulation (red/NIR light) can support airway tissues, reduce inflammation, and extend results from clinic to home. The discussion focuses on awareness, measurable outcomes, and step-by-step adoption for clinicians.

Takeaways

• 😴 Sleep = vital sign: Poor sleep drives systemic risk; screen beyond BMI and snoring.
• 🦷 Appliances that patients use: Oral appliance therapy can be an effective CPAP alternative for many.
• 🔦 Adjunct tech: Laser and photobiomodulation may support airway function, healing, and sleep quality.
• 🏠 Clinic → home: Simple at-home PBM routines can extend treatment gains and adherence.
• 🧠 Educate & empower: Raise sleep-disorder awareness and set clear expectations for therapy.
• 🥗 Lifestyle levers: Caffeine timing, late-night eating, and habits meaningfully impact sleep.
• 📊 Measure what matters: Track sleep patterns to personalize care and refine protocols.

To learn more about Redvive and red-light therapy visit us at redvivehealth.org.

This podcast is hosted by Jaydev Karande and Dr. Rahul Desai.

Watch all of our Innovators of Health Video Episodes at:

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Learn more at Red Light Therapy at redvivehealth.org