In order to maintain a healthy smile for the long term, it is crucial that patients pay attention to holistic oral health issues, like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your oral health and whole body wellness. Our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists offer accessible and effective treatments to help manage this condition.
Let’s begin by briefly reviewing what sleep apnea is. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that prevents your body from getting enough oxygen while you’re asleep. As you fall asleep, your oral tissues relax. For some people, these relaxed oral tissues fall into the airway and make it difficult to inhale air.
If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, you may be waking up throughout the night; when your blood oxygen levels drop too low, your body briefly wakes itself in order to “restart” the breathing process. You probably won’t remember waking, but your sleep is disrupted nonetheless.
Sleep apnea symptoms can run the gamut; here are some common sleep apnea red flags:
- Loud snoring: this occurs as you try to force oxygen past the obstruction in your airway
- Chronic headaches: disrupted sleep can lead to headaches, especially upon waking
- Dry mouth: many people with sleep apnea sleep with their mouths open because they are trying to get as much air as possible
- Concentrations and memory problems: again, poor sleep quality can make you feel foggy and unfocused during the day
- Gasping or choking episodes at night: some sleep apnea sufferers actually remember waking abruptly and gasping or choking for air
Our Tinley Park sleep apnea dentists provide CPAP-alternative treatments to deal with sleep apnea. We have found that CPAP alternatives have much higher compliance rates than traditional sleep apnea treatment, while still delivering optimal results. Give our dental team a call to learn more and to schedule your own personal consultation!