You may be in bed for eight hours each evening, but if you are snoring, having difficulty breathing, or waking up throughout the night, you are not getting proper quality of rest. As a result, you may be waking up in the morning feeling worn out and experiencing other symptoms like morning headaches or sore throats. If these problems sound familiar to you, get in touch with your team at Central Park Dentistry in Charles City, IA, to find out if you have a problem such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How Snoring Disrupts Your Sleep
Many people do not realize this, but if you are snoring at night, you may also be waking up periodically throughout the evening and therefore not reaching the proper state of deep rest you need to feel refreshed in the morning. In some cases, your loud, chronic snores could be a sign of a more serious condition known as sleep apnea, which causes you to have pauses in breathing at night. If your spouse or family member’s loud snores wake you up at night, it can affect your quality of rest. Your snores may be caused by your airways becoming blocked when you are asleep, and the harsh sound could be disrupting yours or your family member’s nightly rest.
Alternative Solutions To CPAP
A common treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine. This machine pumps continuous airflow at night so you can breathe better and not wake up throughout the night. Though the procedure is a fairly common treatment, many patients face difficulty using their CPAP because it can feel claustrophobic and inconvenient. If you are currently using a CPAP machine for snoring or OSA but would like a more convenient solution, an oral appliance may be a helpful choice. This device helps keep your airways open at night by keeping your jaw forward.
Sleep Disorders And Your Oral Health
Why is your dentist concerned about your nightly rest? Conditions like sleep apnea and snoring can have a negative impact on your smile. Many patients who experience these disorders may also suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ. In addition to these smile concerns, OSA can also put you at risk of heart problems, including stroke or heart attack. By coming in for your regularly scheduled dental checkups, your dentist may be able to recognize changes to your oral health to help diagnose these disorders.
Talk To Our Team To Learn More
Poor sleep at night can cause several problems for your overall health and well-being. If you or a loved one are struggling with issues such as snoring or trouble breathing at night, it’s time for professional treatment. Call the team at Central Park Dentistry in Charles City, IA, today at (641) 228-1115.
