Medical emergencies, by their very nature, require prompt action on your part. And dental emergencies are no different. Here’s what you should do when your dental health is in trouble.
Nearly half of all adults snore, according to the American Sleep Association. If snoring keeps you or your family members awake at night, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but 25 million people in the United States do. In addition to hampering quality sleep, this condition puts you at greater risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
Located in Peoria, AZ, Johnny L. Smith, D.M.D, helps patients stop snoring and prevent sleep apnea complications with customized dental appliances.
When you’re awake, the muscles in your throat are active, controlling the structures in the back of your throat and the flow of air. As you sleep, your body relaxes. When you’re snoring, it’s because the relaxed structures in the back of your throat vibrate, making noise as air flows in and out of your mouth.
When your throat muscles relax during sleep, your airways can become blocked, and you may stop breathing momentarily. This condition is called sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing throughout the night. Loud snoring and gasping for breath are just two of the signs that you have this sleep disorder. Here are some additional signs of sleep apnea:
You may feel like you never get a full night’s rest. If you often feel tired, likely, you aren’t getting quality sleep, and sleep apnea could be to blame.
There are some risk factors associated with sleep apnea. These factors increase your chances of developing this chronic sleep disorder:
If someone tells you that you snore loudly or gasp for breath during the night, it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Smith. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, a custom-made dental appliance can offer a simple solution. An oral appliance correctly positions your jaw while you sleep, which helps keep your airway open, preventing obstruction and correcting this common sleep disorder.
If your snoring is keeping you or your family awake, you could have sleep apnea. Don’t wait to treat it. Contact Johnny L. Smith D.M.D. Call the office or request a consultation online today.
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