Trouble Sleeping? Your Dentist May Be Able To Help

Did you know that the quality of your rest can affect your health? It is not just the number of hours you get at night, but the standard of it as well. If you frequently snore, you may be waking up periodically throughout your slumber. This can cause you to feel tired in the morning, which can cause other negative side effects. Today, your Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN, discusses how they can help you treat snoring problems.

How To Tell If You Have Sleep Apnea

Millions of people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and may not even know it. It is often characterized by loud, frequent snoring. These sounds happen when your airway becomes blocked as you snooze. If you only snore on occasion, you do not have a chronic condition. However, if you find that you wake up out of breath or gasping for air, you may have OSA.

OSA can unfortunately cause other health problems. Patients with this condition may easily feel irritable, have low energy during the day, and have headaches. In addition to this, patients with OSA are also at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart problems, and weight gain. It can even affect your dental health because you may breathe with an open mouth as you snooze or grind your teeth. This can lead to dry mouth, cavities, and weakened enamel.

Your Loved Ones May Be Affected, Too

If you have a sleep disorder, your family members may suffer the consequences as well. When you snore loudly, your spouse or other members of the household may be woken up by this. Their lack of good-quality slumber can also cause irritability and place stress on your relationships. People with OSA often have increased feelings of depression, which can make it hard to maintain relationships as well. If you have a loved one who you suspect may have a sleep disorder, you can encourage them to see a specialist to improve their rest and your own.

What Is A Sleep Appliance?

There are several treatments available for OSA. A CPAP machine may be offered to help keep your airways open at night. Although this is effective, it is not the most comfortable. You will need to wear a mask connected to tubes that allows you to breathe with more ease. As an alternative, a custom oral appliance can be made for you instead. This looks like a retainer or mouthguard and helps keep your airways open as you snooze. This is also an effective treatment for patients with TMJ and bruxism.

Talk To Your Dentist About An Oral Appliance

You do not have to put up with poor sleep because of snoring. To learn more about this solution, give us a call at Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN at (763)416-0606.