San Francisco and Marin CA
You or someone you know may snore while sleeping. While most people regard snoring as a natural bodily function, it could also indicate other health complications. Snoring is the first sleep apnea indicator, a condition that develops when your airway is blocked while sleeping. Unfortunately, your body and brain fail to receive the proper oxygen amount needed to restore your body and prepare for the next day. Our Bay Area dentists who treat sleep apnea at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today what sleep apnea actually does to your body and how you can reduce its effects on your health.
What happens when you have sleep apnea?
During the night, sleep apnea sufferers may experience brief but frequent interruptions in breathing due to a sleep-related respiratory condition. Extreme occurrences have been documented, with individuals stopping breathing dozens or more times per hour. Our Marin sleep apnea dentists explain that though there are several sleep apnea forms, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most prevalent. In OSA cases, the airway becomes physically blocked during sleep which causes snoring and is a very prevalent symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings in the middle of the night with gasping or choking sounds, morning dry mouth, sore throat, and headaches are some symptoms often associated with sleep apnea. Because of the interconnected nature of your oral and general health, this illness may have far-reaching consequences, especially if it remains untreated.
How does sleep apnea impact your mouth and teeth?
Sleep apnea may lead to many dental problems. When a person has sleep apnea, they often have to breathe through their mouth all night, which can cause dry mouth. In dry mouth conditions, bacteria can run rampant and cause extensive damage to tooth enamel. As a result, patients may have poor breath and plaque buildup, putting them at greater risk for gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease. In addition, our Bay Area sleep apnea dentists share more conditions sleep apnea may contribute to:
- Damaged enamel
- Lip and mouth ulcers
- A surge in tooth decay
- Scalloped-edge tongue
- Grinding teeth causing excessive wear and tear
How can sleep apnea impact your general health?
Those suffering from sleep apnea may receive lower oxygen levels than normal. You may experience an increase in heart rate and blood vessel constriction as your body reacts to the stress. Several heart problems may result from a lack of oxygen, including hypertension, an elevated heart rate, inflammation, and stress on the heart. Additionally, sleep apnea may cause a variety of major health problems, including but not limited to a stroke, hypertensive disorders, heart attack, asthma, or COPD. Because sleep apnea may cause other severe illnesses, you must see our sleep apnea dentists in San Francisco as soon as possible if you have any of the symptoms. Contacting Glen Park Dental will allow for prompt testing and diagnosis and help you begin controlling the consequences as soon as possible.
What steps can you take to control your sleep apnea?
Although dentists can’t provide a definitive sleep apnea diagnosis, they’re frequently the first medical practitioners to discover symptoms because of the disorder’s impact on patient dental health. If our sleep apnea dentists in the Bay Area notice possible sleep apnea signs, we will likely refer you to your primary care physician for a sleep apnea evaluation and diagnosis. Fortunately, it’s possible to get relief from sleep apnea symptoms with oral appliance therapy, which is a service we proudly offer.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Navigating your day with little to no sleep can be a disaster in the making. From an inability to concentrate to moodiness to daytime sleepiness and more, your lack of quality sleep can appear throughout your day all day long. So, if you or someone you know snores, our San Francisco area dentists who treat sleep apnea at Glen Park Dental encourage you to contact our office to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a quality night’s rest, better daily functionality, and a clear, focused mind. Please call us at (415) 585-1500 or contact us online to schedule an appointment now.
