Providing the care necessary to maintain a healthy smile for life can become complicated by nontraditional dental concerns. For example, many people may experience nighttime teeth grinding in a phenomenon known as bruxism, and without timely treatment, this could lead to a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. Though teeth grinding can be difficult at first to discern, it does not change the fact that it is causing consistent damage to your teeth. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist takes a look at another nontraditional oral health concern known as sleep apnea, and discusses the various signs and symptoms that are associated with it.

Daytime Fatigue and Difficulties Concentrating

Taking care of your smile often involves many more moving parts and treatment options than you might initially expect, but doing so is extremely important for both your smile’s health and your overall body health. Indeed, traditional dental concerns such as tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections are frequently on our radar, but that does not mean that nontraditional issues cannot develop.

You see, nontraditional dental concerns such as teeth grinding, TMJ disorder, and sleep apnea not only influence the state of your oral health, but they can significantly impair your overall function as well. Taking a closer look at sleep apnea, this phenomenon occurs when the muscles in the throat become relaxed and cause the airway to become restricted. This process makes it difficult for oxygen to make it to the necessary areas of the brain.

A person experiencing sleep apnea may notice a few signs or symptoms, including daytime fatigue, difficulties concentrating, irritability, hypersomnia during the day, insomnia at night, and more. To learn more about this process and its influences, give our team a call today.

Total-Body Influences

In addition to the immediate effects of restless sleep, sleep apnea can contribute to total-body issues. For example, sleep apnea and a failure to receive appropriate amounts of oxygen have been found to contribute to cardiovascular issues and heart concerns, complications with medications and surgeries, and even liver issues. If you suspect you are experiencing signs or symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, or if a partner expresses difficulties with sleeping at night, it is important to reach out as soon as possible.

Treatment Options and Solutions

Although sleep apnea is certainly not a phenomenon to take lightly, all hope is not lost in terms of treatment. You see, our team can help you determine the best treatment options to address your needs, whether that involves a custom oral appliance or another form of treatment.

Seek Treatment for Your Health

Contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about the importance of seeking appropriate treatment for sleep apnea and related issues.