What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing during the night. When you stop breathing, you wake up, interrupting your sleep. This can happen many times in a single night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a kind of sleep apnea that occurs when your tongue or throat muscles relax too much, cutting off your air supply. Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by a narrow airway, jaw position, or too much soft tissue in your throat. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send the right signals to your lungs, causing you to stop breathing. Mixed or complex sleep apnea is a combination of the two.
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
You may not know that you have sleep apnea. The best way to figure out if you have sleep apnea is to do a sleep apnea test. Generally, this test requires you to wear a device that will track your blood oxygen levels while you sleep for a few nights. If there are significant dips in your oxygen levels, it’s likely that you have sleep apnea. You can also be on alert for common symptoms of sleep apnea.Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
A common sign of sleep apnea is feeling tired during the day. Other symptoms include the following:- Gasping or choking at night.
- Chest pain at night.
- Difficulty breathing at night.
- Dry mouth in the morning.
- Brain fog during the day.
- Chronic fatigue during the day.
- Headaches.
- Irritability.
- Weight gain.
Health Concerns Related to Sleep Apnea
Don’t wait to visit your dentist if you’re having symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing during the night and disrupts your sleep. Both a lack of oxygen and poor sleep quality can cause a number of health problems. If you have sleep apnea, you could be at risk for these conditions:- Diabetes.
- Stroke.
- Depression.
- Heart failure.
- Heart disease.
Why Visit a Dentist for Sleep Apnea?
It may seem odd to visit a dentist for sleep apnea problems, but many of the causes of sleep apnea can be eliminated with dental treatments. For example, a misaligned jaw might cause your airway to be blocked during the night. This could be fixed with orthodontic treatment to straighten crooked teeth and re-align the jaw. A dentist can also fit you for an oral appliance that can keep your mouth in a position to keep your airway open. These devices work by slightly adjusting the position of your mouth, tongue, or jaw. Small changes can have a big impact, making it less likely that your throat will become blocked by your tongue or throat tissues.
Types of Sleep Apnea Devices
- A sleep apnea mouth guard is similar to a mouth guard you might wear to prevent nighttime teeth grinding. It slightly changes the alignment of your jaw, helping to keep your airway open.
- Another type of oral appliance is called a tongue stabilizer or a tongue retaining device. These help keep your tongue in place so that it doesn’t fall backward and create a blocked airway.
- Finally, a third option is a mandibular advancement device. By moving your lower jaw forward, it keeps your airway open.
