Why You Should Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now, Not Later

Last updated 10 months ago

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which individuals experience one or more pauses in breathing while they sleep. These pauses may last from a few seconds to several minutes and often occur anywhere from five to 30 times in a single hour. Fortunately, an experienced sleep dentist can help diagnose and treat the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Reduce or Eliminate Symptoms
The symptoms of sleep apnea can interfere with your ability to complete daily activities as usual and may worsen over time. Consider scheduling an appointment with your dentist if you are experiencing symptoms such as: restless sleep, snoring with intermittent pauses, excessive daytime fatigue, morning headaches, poor memory, irritability and personality changes, or impotence and decreased sex drive.

Your sleep dentist can help reduce or eliminate these symptoms through a number of treatment options, including dental appliances to adjust the position of your lower jaw and open your airway, breathing devices such as CPAP machines, medications, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Some individuals may be able to combat the symptoms of sleep apnea through lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol, losing weight, sleeping on their sides, and using nasal sprays to keep the nasal passages open.

Avoid Health Complications
Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea should seek treatment as soon as possible to reduce their risk of certain detrimental health conditions. According to an article in The New York Times, obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, stroke, heart arrhythmias, and heart failure or heart attack. The article also states that sleep apnea has been associated with a higher incidence rate of various other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, seizures and nerve disorders, eye disorders, and high-risk pregnancies.

Get more restful sleep and reduce your risk of health complications by discussing your treatment options with your cosmetic dentist. For more information on sleep apnea, jaw pain, or our cosmetic dentistry services, call Really Smile of Indianapolis at (877) 619-4857.