For up to 25 million adults in the United States, sleep apnea is the cause of poor sleep quality. Poor sleep is not just the cause of daytime drowsiness, but it can also have adverse effects on your health. Good quality sleep is essential to help you feel, appear, and perform optimally, and you may be putting yourself at risk if you are not sleeping well. Sleep apnea interrupts your breathing throughout the night and wakes you up momentarily at intervals so your body can resume breathing. The breathing cassation can happen more than a hundred times throughout the night, lasting between 10 seconds to a minute at a time.
A patient may think that they are getting enough sleep at night, but they might still be suffering from poor sleep because of sleep apnea. The signs are not always apparent. The following are things to look for to know if it is time to see the general dentist for sleep apnea treatment:
Loud, regular snoring
Snoring loudly and recurrently while sleeping is the most obvious sign of sleep apnea. Snoring happens when the soft tissues located in the upper air passages vibrate as you breathe, indicating that airflow is being inhibited. If someone has sleep apnea, the snoring will be accompanied with noticeable extended pauses during which it seems that they are holding their breath. The breathing breaks end with a choking or gasping sound when breathing starts again.
Fatigue
Recurrent sleeping disturbances due to sleep apnea can cause a lack of energy and daytime drowsiness. There have been reports of sleepiness behind the wheel among adults diagnosed with sleep apnea and other related sleep problems.
Heartburn
Regular heartburn could also be a sign of sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea may experience an increase in the rate of indigestion and heartburn during the day and nighttime. In a study conducted by Sleep and Breathing, treating sleep apnea may contribute to relieving heartburn.
Forgetfulness
A night of poor sleep can cause thought disruption and fragmentation. Patients suffering from sleep apnea often complain of absentmindedness, and sleep apnea treatment has been proven to improve memory and retention.
Mood disorder and depression
Sleep apnea can adversely affect a patient's mood and cause them to exhibit symptoms of depression. In a study published by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), patients suffering from sleep apnea and depression experienced significant mood improvement after getting sleep apnea treatment.
Snoring loudly and recurrently while sleeping is the most obvious sign of sleep apnea. Snoring happens when the soft tissues located in the upper air passages vibrate as you breathe, indicating that airflow is being inhibited. If someone has sleep apnea, the snoring will be accompanied with noticeable extended pauses during which it seems that they are holding their breath. The breathing breaks end with a choking or gasping sound when breathing starts again.
If you suspect that you or a loved one is dealing with sleep apnea, you should contact a general dentist for a diagnosis and treatment options.
The dentist may give you an oral appliance which is custom made for you. The device shifts your jaws forward and helps to keep your airways open. AADSM generally recommends oral appliance treatment as a better alternative to CPAP. If you opt for this treatment, ensure that you find
a dentist around you that is well-informed in dental sleep medicine and with expertise in creating custom oral devices for sleep apnea.
Request an appointment here:
https://www.dentalartsofok.com or call Dental Arts of Catoosa at (918) 937-2787 for an appointment in our Catoosa office.
