Sleep apnea is a potentially fatal sleep disorder that affects millions of adults and children every night.
At Chagrin Family Dental Care, we look for tell-tale signs of poor sleep during your dental check-up and exam.
Signs That You May Have Sleep Apnea
A bad night's sleep affects more than your ability to function properly at work the next day or your ability to stay awake. Poor sleep can be detrimental to your general health and well-being, increasing the risk of health concerns like heart conditions, diabetes, and respiratory issues.
Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. It happens when you stop breathing during your sleep, causing a serious risk to your health. Obstructive sleep apnea in particular means that your airway collapses during the night.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea to look for include:
- Loud and consistent snoring
- Times when you stop breathing (usually noticed by a partner or family member)
- Waking up gasping for air
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Difficulty sleeping for extended periods
- Napping throughout the day
- Difficulty concentrating and focusing
- Urinating throughout the night
- Easily annoyed during the day
Sleep apnea continually disrupts your sleep cycle, meaning you never enter deep sleep cycles.
Health Ramifications of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of recurrent heart attacks, strokes, depression, memory loss, acid reflux, high blood pressure (hypertension), and abnormal heartbeats.
Numerous health conditions are linked to sleep apnea, including obesity and diabetes. Without treatment, this condition could affect many systems of your body, and can even be fatal.
How Oral Appliance Therapy Works
Oral appliance therapy in Chagrins Falls works by preventing your airway from collapsing, often by keeping the jaw positioned or holding the tongue.
Patients are custom-fitted to their oral appliance so that it is effective and reliable, unlike over-the-counter devices that are one size fits all. This therapy is an affordable and accessible treatment option that addresses snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Do You Need Relief From Sleep Apnea?
Failure to fully rest every night can have a negative impact emotionally and physically. Call Chagrin Family Dental Care today so we can start thinking about the right treatment for you.