You probably know that a good night’s sleep is an important part of keeping healthy, but did you know your dentist can help make sure you’re sleeping well? If you have sleep apnea, you may be missing out on quality sleep, & your dentist can help!
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects your ability to breath while you’re asleep. People with sleep apnea experience pauses in their breathing when their tongue slides back & blocks their airway. Thinking they’re choking, their brain reacts by waking them up, which restores the airway enough for them to return to sleep.
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, because people usually don’t wake up fully enough to realize anything is happening. This can cause tiredness even after seemingly sleeping all night, & it’s often loved ones who notice the symptoms—snoring or even that you seem to stop breathing sometimes while sleeping. If you have noticed these symptoms & think you might have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your doctor to discuss treatment.
Treatment
There are several treatments for sleep apnea, but it is commonly treated using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, or CPAP. The CPAP machine pushes air past your tongue & into your airway, creating pressure that prevents the airway from collapsing or being blocked while you’re sleeping.
Dentists & Sleep Apnea
Because sleep apnea is directly related to the positioning of your tongue & jaw, dentists can help with treatment using a mouthpiece that holds your jaw & tongue in the correct position, ensuring your airway stays open.
While CPAP machines are effective, treatment using a mouthpiece from a dentist can provide greater freedom for patients. If you sleep on your side or stomach, you might prefer an oral appliance that allows you to move around over a CPAP, which generally requires you to sleep on your back & is much less mobile.
If you want more information about how your dentist can help treat sleep apnea, please ask! Your dentist is dedicated to making sure you’re as healthy & comfortable as possible, so they will answer any questions you have & work to find the best solution for you.
Appointments Before & After Work or School & on Saturdays & Sundays!
Request Online or Call Today!
Related Posts
Counterproductive Brushing Habits & Fixes
If you brush your teeth at least twice a day, you’re doing great. Regular brushing is the key to preventing tooth pain & expensive procedures.
Solutions for Slowing Sensitivity in Teeth
As our teeth are exposed to more & more foods that wear away enamel, our teeth can become sensitive to things like hot & cold food & drink.
Teaching Your Child Good Dental Habits
Good dental habits like brushing your teeth are important for your oral & overall health, but to kids, they can feel like a chore. Even though baby teeth will fall out eventually, it’s important to keep them healthy because they are guides & space holders for permanent teeth. Here are some tips for teaching your kids good dental hygiene habits to solidify their oral health for a lifetime.