If you or a family member often snores loudly in their sleep, it could be interrupting your quality of rest. This can have a harmful impact on your overall well-being, including your oral health, mental, and physical health. Your Sunny Smiles team may be able to help diagnose and treat your loud snoozes so you can catch better ZZ’s.
Snoring Happens When Your Breathing Is Obstructed
Many people may be led to believe that these harsh sounds coming from your mouth and nose mean you are getting good sleep. However, this can actually interfere with your sleep cycle. When you wake up, you may notice that you feel groggy, irritable, and fatigued. If you frequently snore loudly or wake up short of breath, it could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA happens when your airways become completely blocked at night. This can be a scary problem because it can cause you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night. If you often experience fatigue throughout the day, high blood pressure, or other changes in your health, it could be a sign of OSA. It’s important that this concern is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to reduce your symptoms.
These Sleep Disorders Can Effect Your Health
You may be wondering why your dentist helps treat these disorders. Snoring and sleep apnea can be harmful to your overall health, including more than dental concerns. Side effects such as dry mouth and bruxism can be worsened by these disorders. Dry mouth happens when your oral cavity does not produce enough saliva. As a result, you may be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. Bruxism is often found in patients who snore. This problem causes patients to excessively grind their teeth, usually when they are unaware, they are doing so. Over time, your teeth can become severely worn down.
An Oral Appliance May Be Able To Help
OSA can harm your health, too. Patients with this disorder are at higher risk of developing heart problems like stroke or disease. It can also lead to high blood pressure, drowsiness, fatigue, and more. Traditionally, C-PAP machines are used to treat OSA. These machines are bulky and may be uncomfortable to sleep with.
A custom oral appliance may be used as an alternative. This device is worn at night and helps keep your airways open as you rest. This non-invasive option can help reduce symptoms of snoring and OSA and may also be used to help patients with TMJ and bruxism. It will be custom created for your needs to fit your oral cavity precisely.
Learn More About Your Treatment Options Today
To get started on your snoring or OSA treatment, call Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000 to schedule an appointment.