Sleep apnea can be a difficult disorder to pin down. Many people suffer from general symptoms of sleep apnea for years before realizing that sleep apnea is actually at the root of their problems.
Because our Tinley Park sleep apnea dentists strongly encourage patients to seek treatment for sleep apnea in a timely manner, we are here to help you recognize key symptoms of this condition. As you read through this article, take a second to consider whether you’re experiencing any of these issues. If you are, reach out to your dental team to get more information about sleep apnea treatment options.
One of the clearest signs of sleep apnea is loud and disruptive snoring. As relaxed oral tissues fall into your airway, your body will struggle to force air past this obstruction. Snoring may be so loud that it keeps the whole household up! It can be hard for sufferers to know on their own whether they are snoring, so roommates and partners may be useful resources.
Sleep apnea also makes it difficult for sufferers to get a healthy night’s sleep. For this reason, sleep apnea often leads to fatigue as well as concentration problems. You may also experience headaches especially upon waking in the morning. In some cases, patients actually wake in the middle of the night choking or gasping for air.
Dry mouth is another sleep apnea red flag. Sleep apnea sufferers often sleep with their mouths wide open, because their bodies are trying to inhale as much oxygen as possible. Unfortunately, dry mouth leads to bad breath and increases your risk of developing cavities as well as gum disease. Because saliva is your body’s natural way of neutralizing bacteria and re-mineralizing teeth, you want to make sure that you address the root cause of dry mouth.
As always, our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists are happy to answer any questions that you may have and to help you schedule your personal consultation. Please feel free to call our office to get started, or use the Contact Us page to submit a question and we will get back to you promptly.