Snoring Isn’t the Whole Story
Do you picture sleep apnea as a loud snoring problem, something disruptive but ultimately harmless? The reality of sleep apnea is less about the noise and more about what happens in the quiet moments during the night, when you stop breathing, and your body scrambles to compensate. Read on to learn more.
Sleep Apnea Explained
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep as your throat muscles relax and obstruct the passage. As airflow becomes restricted, oxygen levels dip, and your brain responds by pulling you out of deep sleep just enough to reopen the airway. You fall back under, the muscles relax again, and the cycle repeats. This can happen hundreds of times in a single night without ever fully waking you, which is exactly why sleep apnea is so dangerous.
Don’t Overlook These Signs
Snoring is the symptom you may associate most with sleep apnea, but it’s far from the most reliable indicator. Plenty of people snore without having sleep apnea, and others have significant sleep apnea but don’t snore. The more telling signs tend to materialize when you’re awake:
- Daytime fatigue even after 8 hours of sleep
- Morning headaches that fade within an hour or two
- Dry mouth, sore throat, or a foggy feeling in the morning
- Difficulty staying focused or alert throughout the day
- Uncharacteristic moodiness or irritability
If you experience one or more of these on a consistent basis, there’s a chance you’re not getting quality sleep every night, and that warrants investigation.
How We Can Help
A dental exam covers more than cavities and gum disease. We also evaluate your airway, tongue, and bite, all of which can show patterns associated with disrupted breathing during sleep. Worn tooth enamel associated with nighttime clenching and grinding, for instance, is frequently connected to sleep apnea, since the body sometimes clenches in response to interrupted breathing. This makes our office one of the few places where sleep apnea can be flagged well before a formal diagnosis from a sleep specialist.
What Happens When Sleep Apnea Goes Untreated
Repeated nighttime awakenings keep your body from spending enough time in deep, restorative sleep, resulting in increased strain on your cardiovascular system over months and years. Your ability to concentrate, regulate your mood, manage stress, and fight infection can be adversely affected as well. The strain of untreated sleep apnea also increases your risk of serious health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Treating Sleep Apnea
You may be familiar with CPAP, a machine that circulates air to keep your airway from closing while you sleep. CPAP is the standard treatment for sleep apnea. Alternatively, a custom oral appliance can offer relief if you have mild or moderate sleep apnea. This small device goes in your mouth while you sleep to reposition your jaw so your airway stays open.
If after a full night’s sleep you feel like you haven’t really rested, mention it at your next dental or medical appointment. Good sleep is vital to your oral and overall health. Contact our office located in Livermore, KY, to schedule a consultation. We look forward to seeing you.
