Hey, you’re snoring again! 

We all know someone who keeps the house up with their snoring. Well, let’s be honest, that snoring person might be you. You might try to remedy it by rolling this way or that, but nothing seems to be working. Did you know that sometimes snoring might be caused by more than a simple stuffy nose? Snoring can sometimes be a sign that something more is going on, such as sleep apnea.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, get in contact with your primary care doctor. Sleep apnea has to be diagnosed by a medical doctor through a sleep study, but dentists play a crucial role in helping get your life back to normal.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

You can have sleep apnea and have no clue it’s there. It could present itself with severe snoring, as with 94% of cases, but that’s not always the case. Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing during your sleep. Thankfully, your body catches on and breathes again, but not before creating problems with your sleep cycle, ending in severe drowsiness throughout the day, and disrupted sleep.

Sleep disruption isn’t the only problem that can be caused by sleep apnea. Problematic sleep can cause problems with depression. In fact, it’s thought that 18% of people with a depression disorder have problems with their sleep.

Sleep apnea can also create problems with blood pressure because when your airways close off, it creates a lot of stress on the body. This can keep the blood pressure elevated throughout the day, leading to even more problems later in life.

Leaving sleep apnea untreated can create major problems as time goes on. Some of these problems include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or even cognitive impairment. If you find yourself sleepy more often than not for what seems like no reason or hear constant complaints from your partner about your snoring, it might be a good idea to look into sleep apnea.

The Role of Your Dentist in Milford, Ohio

Though sleep apnea has to be diagnosed by a medical doctor, dentists are equipped to treat it and help your sleep be the best it can be. If there are any special devices required, such as mouth guards, we here at CinciSmiles are ready to help you get the best sleep of your life.

It might surprise you to know that certain sleep apnea symptoms can be seen by a dentist before anyone else would notice it. One of these is bruxism, or teeth grinding. If your dentist notices this becoming a problem, they might suggest talking to your doctor about sleep apnea before you have a chance to notice any other symptoms. 

Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Getting dental interventions for your sleep apnea could be the answer you need to feel like yourself again. The treatment for sleep apnea depends on the severity. Sometimes, simple changes to your lifestyle can do the trick. These often include cutting smoking out of your daily routine, limiting stress, or even losing weight.

If you have a mild to moderate case, oral appliances such as mouth guards can help keep your airways open and give you that good night’s sleep. These are custom-made by the dentist to fit each patient perfectly, so they shouldn’t take long to get used to. 

Another common treatment option is the CPAP machine. The air in these keeps your airways open while you sleep, ensuring you wake up well-rested and ready for the day. There are different masks and styles of these, meaning with a little trial and error you are sure to find the right one for your lifestyle. 

Additional Medical Treatments

CPAP machines are likely the most common treatment for sleep apnea, but oral appliances can also help significantly for milder cases. For severe cases, surgery might be needed to help keep your airways open throughout the night. This is typically a last resort and is used after trying the other options. 

Taking care of your sleep apnea lessens the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression, and can help you feel less sluggish throughout the day. 

Treatment Close to Home

When you first find out you have sleep apnea, it can be a little daunting. You’re faced with changing how you sleep, and that’s not always something we want to mess with. Take a deep breath, you’ve got this! Give yourself time to adjust to the treatment methods, and it will certainly make an impact on your life—for the better.

Whether you think you have sleep apnea or were recently diagnosed, know that you’re not alone. In fact, it’s thought that likely 20% of the population has at least a mild case. When you have a diagnosis, be sure to contact us to discuss treatment options right here in Milford, Ohio.