Oral Signs That May Indicate That You Have Sleep Apnea
Posted on: 25 September 2018
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There are a lot of dentists around that are now taking an interest in sleep apnea, which is a sleeping disorder that affects many people. Sleep apnea is not a condition you should ignore, and your dentist might be the first person that mentions this condition to you. Your dentist might suspect that you have this condition if he or she spots the following signs:
You grind your teeth
Grinding of the teeth is also called bruxism, and it is a condition that affects people of all ages. While everyone that grinds their teeth does not have sleep apnea, people who have sleep apnea often suffer from this condition. When a person grinds his or her teeth, it happens at night while the person is sleeping; since grinding affects the teeth, your dentist might suspect sleep apnea if he or she sees signs of grinding.
People who grind their teeth often have shortened teeth, cracked teeth, or decay on their teeth. If your teeth appear to have damage from grinding, your dentist might recommend treating the grinding or getting a sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea.
You suffer from dry mouth syndrome
People who suffer from sleep apnea often struggle with dry mouth syndrome. Dry mouth occurs when you do not have enough saliva in your mouth, and people with sleep apnea often have this problem because they snore while they are sleeping. Your dentist might ask you about dry mouth problems and if you snore. If you are a loud snorer while you sleep, it could indicate that you have sleep apnea.
You reveal that you are always tired and never feel rested
While feeling tired all the time is not an oral condition, it is something your dentist might talk to you about if there are other signs of sleep apnea. This condition will cause you to stop breathing at times while you sleep; each time this occurs, you are putting yourself at risk for major health problems, including heart disease. You will feel sleepy all the time if you have this condition, because it is almost impossible to get a good night's sleep with untreated sleep apnea.
If your dentist discusses sleep apnea with you and suspects that you might have it, you should follow up with a regular doctor to learn how to have it diagnosed. To learn more about sleep apnea and its effects on your mouth and health, contact a family dentistry clinic in your area today.