What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common condition affecting your oxygen levels as you sleep. The condition makes breathing difficult and often involves long pauses between breaths. While many people consider snoring a primary symptom of sleep apnea, not all people with sleep apnea snore.
If you have a form of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea, your breathing problems at night stem from the soft tissues in the back of your mouth and throat collapsing and closing the passage. When these tissues vibrate together as you breathe, snoring can occur.
Because of the lack of oxygen due to the pauses in your breathing as you sleep, your brain tells your body to wake up frequently throughout the night. This results in poor sleep quality and symptoms that affect you throughout the day.
Fortunately, the dental team at Bay View Dental specializes in treating obstructive sleep apnea so you can sleep better and avoid complications.
What are some common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Many of the symptoms of sleep apnea might surprise you as they do not occur while you’re asleep. If you experience sleep apnea, you might not realize that your breathing pauses during sleep unless a spouse or roommate hears it and tells you.
Other symptoms beyond snoring and breathing pauses, which may be easier for you to identify on your own, include:
- Morning dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Trouble paying attention
- Fogginess or grogginess
If you have concerns about sleep apnea, be sure to mention them at your next dental appointment. Going without treatment for sleep apnea can put you at risk for serious health issues like cardiovascular problems, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and complications from surgery.
How can I manage my sleep apnea?
The team at Bay View Dental conducts tests to assess your condition and make sure that the diagnosis of sleep apnea is an accurate one.
To treat obstructive sleep apnea, your dentist might first recommend making some simple changes in your habits. You may find some relief by losing weight, stopping smoking, and drinking less alcohol.
If you need further treatment for sleep apnea, you have a couple of options. The Bay View Dental team might recommend a custom oral device to wear at night. These devices gently move your jaw forward to hold your airway open and prevent your tongue from falling back and blocking it.
Another option is surgery to reposition your jaw. This surgery has a high success rate in treating sleep apnea and is a more permanent solution. However, each case is different and your dentist lets you know which treatment is a better option for you.
To learn more about sleep apnea and its health impacts, call Bay View Dental or book a consultation for treatment online today.
