If you’ve gone too long without a good night’s sleep, it is possible you are suffering from snoring or sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common and potentially serious sleeping disorder that happens when your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep.
Snoring is common among patients with sleep apnea but not all snorers have sleep apnea.
Call our office today to meet with our qualified sleep apnea dentists to get the treatment you need!
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a medical condition, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious sleep disorder, including sleep apnea.
Sometimes it is hard to tell why one person snores and another one doesn’t. These are some common causes of snoring:
- Later stages of pregnancy
- Irregularly shaped bones in the face
- Swelling of the tonsils and adenoids
- Alcohol consumption
- Unusually large tongue and small mouth
- Congestion from allergies or a cold
- Being overweight
Should I Be Worried About Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea severity varies from person to person. If you or a loved one are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, you can request a sleep study to help diagnose your sleep apnea.
It is very unlikely that the breathing pauses of sleep apnea could cause death directly, and you won’t just stop breathing. However, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can increase your risk of potentially fatal health conditions, some of which may cause sudden death.
- Short-Term Risks: Breathing cessation can provoke cardiac arrhythmia and can lead to atrial fibrillation, heart attack, or even stroke.
- Chronic Risks: Long-term sleep disordered breathing can have important health consequences. It may increase the incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep.
If you are concerned whether you or a loved one is affected by sleep apnea, here are some signs or symptoms you can look for:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Waking during the night and gasping or choking
- Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
- Morning headaches
- High blood pressure
- Mood changes, such as depression or being easily upset
Why Visit a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Dentists for sleep apnea can help you with all your sleep apnea needs. Here at Reflections Dental Spa, our board-certified dentists have the training and skills to provide sleep apnea treatment.
Many people are often surprised when they hear that a dentist can help with sleep apnea. However, you should know that the disorder can also damage your teeth, so seeing a dentist is important.
Make the call today to get better sleep! Visit with our dental professionals to learn how our sleep apnea treatments can get you the sleep you need!
Nasal Breathing Exercises and Decongestants
Sleep apnea begins in the mouth and sinuses. Our dentists are experts in being able to help find the best treatment for you so you can get back to restful sleep!
- Nasal Breathing: Nasal breathing is one of the best ways to treat sleep apnea. This ensures that you get enough oxygen through your nose as opposed to your mouth. Nasal breathing can increase oxygen intake by up to 12 percent.
- Decongestants: A nasal decongestant before bed could help keep your nasal passages open while you sleep.
Invisalign®
Aligning your teeth isn’t just for cosmetic reasons. It changes the position of your entire mouth, including your jaw and tongue. Changing the position of your jaw or where your tongue rests in your mouth can open up your airway and prevent blockage.
Invisalign might be the right option for you! Our dentists will be able to help determine the best treatment plan for you to help you get the sleep you desperately need.
Call Us Today To Find Out More About Snoring And Sleep Apnea
Don’t waste another night struggling to get the sleep you deserve! Call us today to meet with one of our certified sleep apnea dentists. We can help determine your sleep apnea needs and get you on the right treatment plan.