Sleep apnea is a particularly pernicious health problem, which can take a toll on your body in a number of ways. Because sleep apnea is caused by a problem with the patient’s maxillofacial structure and oral tissues, our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists provide the care you need to stay well right here in our office. If you notice any of these symptoms of sleep apnea, it may be time to reach out for a consultation…
Persistent Snoring
Most sleep apnea sufferers present with consistent and disruptive snoring. The sound of snoring is actually caused by your body attempting to pass air through an obstructed airway. So, if your snoring doesn’t seem to be linked to anything else, like having a cold or allergies, sleep apnea may be to blame.
Interrupted Sleep
As you sleep through the night your body goes through several stages—or intensity levels—of sleep. Each one of these stages is important to your whole body and mental health. If you find that you are waking up frequently and you are not sure why, it may be because your blood oxygen levels are dipping too low due to sleep apnea. Some patients even experience a choking or gasping sensation as they wake up.
Headaches & Fatigue
Poor sleep quality causes many sleep apnea sufferers to deal with daytime tiredness and even headaches. If you are waking up with a headache, or you are regularly getting fatigue-related headaches before you go to bed at night, talk to your dentist about undergoing a sleep apnea assessment.
Memory & Concentration Issues
One of the very important things that your body does as you sleep is to process and store information that you have accumulated throughout the day. If you are not getting high quality sleep, you will find it more difficult than normal to recall info and stay focused on work and hobbies.
Dry Mouth
Sleep apnea sufferers often try to breathe through their mouths during the night, because they are simply not getting enough oxygen through their noses; think of it as “gulping” for air. Unfortunately, this dries out your mouth, and this can put your oral health at risk. Saliva is actually a natural tool that your body uses to neutralize bacteria and re-mineralize teeth. So, if you don’t have enough saliva, you may develop cavities, gum disease, and hard-to-treat bad breath.
Don’t let sleep apnea steal away sound sleep and your shining smile. Reach out to our Orland Park dentists to learn more about sleep apnea treatments, and any of the other oral health treatments we offer!