Sleep apnea is a disruptive condition that affects many adults. Sleep apnea causes you to wake up many times throughout the night, due to an obstruction in your breathing. This constant disruption to your sleep prevents you from getting a proper night’s rest, but the effects can extend far beyond that single instance. Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea typically deal with this condition on a nightly basis. Over time, sleep deprivation can cause health problems across the board. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, you may be able to treat the condition with your dentist.
Know the Signs of Sleep Apnea
The most common characteristic of sleep apnea is a pronounced snore. However, not every patient who snores has sleep apnea. A snore is typically caused by some obstruction in your airway. As you sleep, air struggles to squeeze through a lodged opening and causes the vibration that you hear as snoring. If you’re getting an adequate amount of sleep every night, and you still wake up tired every morning, it may be the result of waking up throughout the night with episodes of apnea.
Understand the Risks That Sleep Apnea Creates
Sleep apnea is incredibly difficult to self diagnose, because when you wake up throughout the night, you often don’t regain consciousness. That means you’re waking up dozens of times in the middle of your sleep without ever realizing it. Over time, this sleep deprivation can catch up with you. It may lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk for a stroke. Sleep deprivation can also lead to headaches and depression. Your body needs sleep, and you simply cannot function as well without it. Preventing this condition is crucial.
What Your Dentist Can Do to Treat Sleep Apnea
So, how do you treat sleep apnea? If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, you may have explored options like a CPAP machine. Having a breathing machine that you use every night to get restful sleep may not exactly seem like the most appealing option. Your dentist may be able to offer an alternative treatment for the issue. Often, your dentist can create a custom-fitted oral appliance (similar to a mouthguard) that you wear to sleep each night to shift your oral tissues and allow air to pass through. This can give you the restorative sleep you need!
Sleep Apnea Treatment at The Dental Centre of Conroe
Your dentist can determine whether or not you are suffering from sleep apnea. This may involve a sleep study, which will record your sleep to see how often you awake. At The Dental Centre of Conroe, we have helped many patients overcome their sleep apnea using custom oral appliances. To learn more about this treatment option, contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX at 936-441-4600.
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