If often wake up other family members with your snoring, don’t feel well rested in the mornings, or feel out of breath in the middle of the night, you may have sleep apnea. While this is a common problem for many Americans, it can be detrimental to your physical, mental, and oral health. Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX is here to help explain what this is and how we can address it.
What Causes You To Snore?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by the airways being disturbed as you try to get some shut eye. Symptoms may include:
-Loud and Persistent Snoring
-Difficulty Breathing
-Headaches when you wake up
-Tiredness throughout the day
Not everyone who snores has apnea, but this is a very common symptom associated with the disorder. Factors such as a poor bedtime routine, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, genetics, and more can put you at a higher risk for this problem.
How Is This Related To Dental Health?
Sleep apnea can negatively impact your oral health, which is why your dentist can work with you and/ or a specialist to find a solution for you.
–Bruxism & TMJ: OSA, teeth grinding, and TMJ disorder are often found to be associated with each other. Bruxism can wear down your teeth over time and cause pain and tenderness to the jaw and mouth. TMJ dysfunction can cause pain in your jaw and difficulty opening and closing it.
-Dry Mouth: You may find yourself sleeping with your mouth open because it helps keep your airways open while you try to get some ZZ’s. Unfortunately, over time can put you at higher risk for tooth decay and gum problems.
-Overall, Health Problems: Your oral health is linked with your physical health, and quality of sleep plays a huge role in your health. If you are experiencing poor rest, it is likely that your mental health will start to suffer as well as your physical health. This can put you at greater risk for heart problems and other conditions, which can be scary.
A dentist can help by providing you with a custom-fit oral appliance. Like a retainer, this will be inserted into your mouth to help you breathe better at night. If you have problems with grinding your teeth at night, this can help with that as well. To get fit for a custom appliance, talk to your dentist today about your concerns.
Schedule An Appointment Today!
To ask about treating snoring or sleep apnea with a custom appliance, or to schedule an appointment, call the Sunny Smiles office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in East and Northeast El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.