When you are sleeping, you might not realize that you are experiencing brief pauses in your breathing patterns. But there will be signs in your daily health that could indicate you are suffering from sleep apnea. This sleep disorder is often caused by airway obstructions that prevent you from getting the right amount of oxygen you need while you are sleeping.
The harsh reality is that if sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications. So, if you suspect that you might need sleep apnea treatments, talk to a dentist for help with the diagnosis and treatment options – including oral appliance therapy that can improve your breathing while you are sleeping.
Understanding Sleep Apnea: An Overview of This Sleeping Disorder
Most people don’t know much about this sleep disorder until a healthcare provider or dentist diagnoses sleep apnea. Here are a few basic things that you need to know about this condition:
- What is Sleep Apnea? You have sleep apnea if your breathing is stopping and starting over and over again throughout the night. Usually, these breathing patterns happen because the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Or, there might be other structural issues in the throat area.
- Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include gasping for air, loud snoring, feeling excessively tired during the day, or waking up with a headache in the morning. These symptoms are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, which means that many people are unaware of their sleep apnea.
- Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea by Dentists: In addition to visiting a medical provider about sleep apnea, there are also benefits of visiting a dentist. During a regular checkup, your dentist might recognize the early signs of sleep apnea – such as dental occlusion issues or bruxism. A dentist can help with the treatment by offering customized mandibular advancement devices (MAD).
What is the Impact of Sleep Apnea on Oral Health?
The more you learn about sleep apnea, the more you will see that there are hidden dangers of this health condition going untreated. Not only do these sleep disorders make it hard to feel rested in the morning, but they cause reduced saliva flow which can increase the likelihood of dental complications such as bad breath, gum disease, and cavities.
If you have jaw misalignments, then it could increase the risk of sleep apnea because the airway is narrower than normal. It’s possible that dental treatments can improve the jaw positioning, which naturally helps to improve airflow.
Additionally, it’s important to understand how much sleep apnea impacts overall health. If you have poor sleep quality, then it can cause the immune system to weaken. Then, you are more susceptible to illness, disease, and infections overall.
Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea: How to Improve Your Sleep
The good news is that different dental treatments can be used to treat sleep apnea in a non-invasive way. The most common recommendation is to use oral devices that will keep your airways open while you are sleeping.
This oral appliance therapy prevents the airway from collapsing by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue. Then, your airway will stay open throughout the night to ensure that you are breathing properly and getting enough oxygen. Another option is to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is a machine that helps with breathing throughout the night.
Bruxism and Sleep Apnea: Is There a Connection?
It’s quite common for patients with sleep apnea to also grind their teeth while they are sleeping. If they are experiencing oxygen deprivation, then they likely have jaw pain and worn-down enamel because of the tightness and grinding that is occurring from bruxism.
Luckily, patients with both sleep apnea and bruxism can use dental devices to treat both conditions at the same time. These appliances keep the airways open and reduce the risk of teeth grinding.
Are There Any Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea?
The longer sleep apnea goes untreated, the higher the risk that you will experience long-term health complications. Your risk of serious health conditions will go up, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Also, keep in mind that sleep apnea causes a person to be living with chronic sleep deprivation. This issue can affect both cognitive function and emotional well-being. You will likely be experiencing daytime fatigue, memory problems, and mood swings. Untreated sleep apnea can take a toll on your overall quality of life.
Other Lifestyle Changes for Managing Sleep Apnea
In addition to using oral appliances to open the airways, there are other things that you can do to reduce the risk of sleep apnea. Some of the common lifestyle adjustments include:
- Losing weight
- Stop smoking
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime
- Regular exercise
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the likelihood of excess fat deposits that can close the airway. Also, regular exercise improves respiratory health, which helps to protect your heart and lungs.
FAQ
How does sleep apnea affect dental health?
Untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of different dental issues, including gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, and bruxism.
What dental treatments are available for sleep apnea?
Talk to our dental team about oral appliance therapy, including customized devices that you wear while sleeping. These appliances will reduce symptoms by keeping your airway open during the night.
Are there side effects associated with dental treatments for sleep apnea?
When you are using an oral appliance for sleep apnea, you might experience a change in your bite or jaw discomfort. If you notice these changes, then talk to our dental team so that we can adjust your device to achieve the best fit.
Our Team Will Help You Take Control of Your Sleep and Oral Health
If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, then we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced team. We offer full-service solutions to treat your sleep apnea and other oral health concerns. Contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas to learn more about available services.
