Sleep is a key aspect of maintaining your health and mental well-being. Did you know that it also impacts your dental health? It's true! Sleep disorders and oral health actually go hand-in-hand, and your Scottsdale dentist can help you successfully manage sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. Here's what you should know.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea causes you to quit breathing during sleep, often due to an airway that is obstructed. Breathing disruption can happen multiple, even hundreds of times, throughout the night in severe cases, without your realizing it.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Oral Health?
Sleep apnea can contribute to conditions like dry mouth, which can cause tooth decay. Lack of sleep also weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to developing problems like gum disease.
Tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism) may also contribute to sleep apnea. Bruxism can cause problems such as excessive tooth wear and frequent headaches.
What Are Some of the Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can be tricky to diagnose on your own, since it happens while you sleep. However, here are some of the common signs and symptoms people suffering from sleep apnea might experience:
- Loud snoring that keeps your bed partner awake
- Frequent headaches or migraines, especially in the morning
- Waking up choking, coughing, or gasping for air
- Chronic fatigue
- Soar throat
- Irritability or mood swings
How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea?
The standard of care for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP). However, this involves the patient wearing a mask while sleeping, which many patients find uncomfortable. Dr. Heday helps patients with sleep apnea reclaim their good night's rest with custom oral appliances that can replace CPAP therapy for some patients.
Contact our dental office at (480) 591-8111 for more information about how Dr. Heday can help you with sleep apnea treatment in Scottsdale.