There are a variety of factors that have an influence over your smile’s health, and the unfortunate truth of the matter is that most of the time it results in a negative impact. Indeed, virtually everything can cause harm to your smile, whether it be a common concern such as tooth decay and infection, or a not-so-common concern such as chronic teeth-grinding. Regardless, it is important to seek timely treatment in order to keep your oral health under control. In today’s blog, your Cedar Rapids, IA dentist discusses the connection between sleep apnea and your oral health, as well as how we can help.
More than Just Snoring
One of the telltale signs a person is experiencing a sleep issue or sleep disorder often consists of snoring. Indeed, snoring is not a normal phenomenon, and it has been linked to the body’s natural response to regulate breathing. You see, snoring occurs when the airway has become relaxed, thus blocking the passage of air. As a result, air attempting to make its way through the restricted path makes a rumbling sound, which you hear as snoring.
Though everyone knows someone who snores, bear in mind that the situation can get worse without proper help and treatment. As a matter of fact, this could lead to the development of sleep apnea. This phenomenon consists of a chronic restriction of the airway that causes your brain to send signals that briefly rouse you to correct the issue. The result is a repeated cycle of brief waking and can be identified by episodes of stopped breathing and/or gasping for air. To learn more about this process, give our team a call today.
The Connection to Health
Although sleep apnea might not appear to be a major oral health concern on its face, the truth of the matter is that it has a tremendous impact on your body. You see, not only does it cause oral health complications, but it can lead to major overall issues such as heart disease, difficulties with medications and surgeries, liver problems, and more. To learn about the way untreated sleep apnea can impact you, reach out to our team today or schedule your next appointment.
Common Side Effects and Symptoms
It can be difficult to discern if there is an issue to begin with, especially if you live and sleep alone. Still, some immediate side effects or symptoms to keep track of include hypersomnia during the day, nighttime insomnia, daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulties paying attention, waking up with a dry mouth, and morning headaches, to name a few.
Learn More Today
For more information about the dangers of sleep apnea or to schedule your next appointment with our team, contact Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108 today.
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