Sleep apnea is a prevalent condition characterized by recurrent interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen intake by the body. If you are informed of snoring, gasping during sleep or encounter signs of disrupted sleep like excessive daytime drowsiness, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional regarding sleep apnea. Diagnosis often involves undergoing a sleep study, and treatment options include using devices like continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and lifestyle adjustments. In cases where these approaches prove ineffective, leveraging surgical intervention might be suggested to address the underlying causes of sleep apnea. Left untreated, sleep apnea can result in insufficient restful sleep, affecting concentration, decision-making, memory, and behavior control. Furthermore, sleep apnea has connections to serious health complications.
Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
While sleeping, the muscles in your throat and tongue experience relaxation. As a result, the passageway at the rear of your throat can droop and hinder regular air passage. Be on the lookout for these tell-tale signs of the condition:
- Snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep
- Teeth grinding during sleep
Additionally, teeth grinding and teeth clenching are frequently linked to sleep apnea. If you're scratching your teeth in your sleep, you probably have sleep apnea, so look for these symptoms of teeth grinding:
- Teeth grinding or clenching (May be loud enough to disturb your sleep partner)
- Teeth that are worn down or chipped
- Tooth enamel is worn away
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Muscle tightness in your jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Ear aches
- Headaches
- Chronic facial pain
Treatment
For less severe sleep apnea, your healthcare professional might suggest lifestyle adjustments as the primary approach, which could involve weight loss or smoking cessation. Altering your sleeping position might be necessary. In the event of nasal allergies, addressing those allergies could be advised. If these strategies prove insufficient in alleviating your symptoms or if your sleep apnea is categorized as moderate to severe, various alternative treatments are accessible. Specific devices can assist in unblocking obstructed airways, while only surgical intervention can help in other scenarios.
If bruxism (teeth grinding) affects you or your child, your medical professional might propose strategies to safeguard or enhance dental health. While these approaches can help mitigate or rectify tooth wear, it's important to note that they might not completely halt the occurrence of bruxism:
- Splints and mouth guards: These are custom-designed to keep your teeth apart, preventing the damage that arises from clenching and grinding. These appliances can be made from durable acrylic or softer materials, fitting over either your upper or lower teeth.
- Dental adjustments: In cases of significant bruxism that leads to tooth sensitivity or impaired chewing, your dentist might consider reshaping the chewing surfaces of your teeth or employing crowns to restore the damage.
Savannah Dental Solutions is a top name among dentists in the Savannah area, known for focusing on the dental needs of clients of all ages. Conveniently located in the Medical Arts Center, their range of services is unrivaled in Chatham County.