What is sleep apnea?
A patient may not even realize they have sleep apnea, a condition in which you repeatedly stop breathing throughout the night. This can wake you up over and over again, but you may not even realize how little sleep you’ve gotten the night before. Signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, having a dry mouth when you wake up, morning headaches, irritability, and feeling tired all the time.
This isn’t just annoying, it is also dangerous. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart and liver problems (it can also be dangerous to drive and do other activities if you are constantly tired).
There are different factors that can increase your risk for sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, an anatomical problem with your nose, nasal congestion, and a family history of sleep apnea.
How can my dentist treat my sleep apnea?
A common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This involves a mask the patient wears while asleep; air is sent through the mask to help keep the patient’s airways open. However, many people find the CPAP machine to be worse than sleep apnea itself – it can be cumbersome and uncomfortable.
Your dentist has a simpler option, though. Oral appliances can help to reposition the jaw and allow the patient to breathe more freely, which not only can reduce snoring but can help sleep apnea. There are different types of appliances to choose from, and your dentist can help you to decide which one is best for you.
You don’t have to live with sleep apnea – get better sleep and stay healthy by calling the Konig Center for Cosmetic and Comprehensive Dentistry in Houston, Texas, for a sleep apnea consultation. Call (713) 668-2289 today!
