Why Does The Dentist Care About Your Sleep Apnea?

You may think that going to the dentist simply benefits your oral health by helping to monitor for cavities and other problems. However, the dentist can help you with a variety of problems. Not only can they clean your teeth and catch cavities, but they can also help you with sleep apnea and snoring. If you are experiencing loud snoring at night that interrupts your or your family members’ rest, you may have more than a snoring problem. See us at Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, to address this issue with an oral appliance.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Blocks Your Airways

This disorder is caused by your airways being blocked when you try to get some shut-eye. There are several factors that can contribute to this disorder. Genetics, diet, alcohol consumption, and sleep routine can all play a role in this problem.

Waking up with headaches and feeling poorly rested, dry mouth, and snoring are all indicators that can show that you have OSA. Not all people who snore have sleep apnea, but if you or a loved one snore consistently and excessively, you should speak with your doctor about it.

Sleep Disorders Can Harm Your Dental Health

You may be wondering what the dentist has to do with your sleep disorder in the first place. Having poor rest can affect your health in several ways. It can contribute to fatigue, depression, irritability, lack of focus, and more. Your dental health is at risk, too.

OSA causes you to breathe with an open mouth at night. Doing this every night for a long period can cause dry mouth and put you at a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. We often find that patients with this disorder also tend to have bruxism – also known as chronic tooth grinding – or TMJ dysfunction.

An Oral Appliance Helps You Breath Better

There are several options to help solve this issue, ranging from tools or machines to surgeries. If you are looking for a non-invasive procedure to help you breathe better at night, an oral appliance is just what you need.

This looks very similar to an orthodontic retainer. It will be shaped to fit your mouth. At night, you will insert this appliance into your mouth. This will allow your airways to stay open and you can be comfortable while you rest.

This is the best solution for patients who do not want to use an uncomfortable CPAP machine or go through invasive surgery to remove tissue from the nose and throat.

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you want better Zs, we are here to help. Come see us at Cleveland Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, today to talk about getting an oral appliance. Call us today at 281-592-1234.