Snoring is Bad for Your Health
Do you always feel agitated, tired, or susceptible to mood swings? You may be one of the 90 million Americans who suffer from snoring. One out of five adults in America have obstructive sleep apnea, which deprives you of good sleep, resulting in the previously described symptoms, and more. As a trained dentist, Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS can help with this problem.
Snoring is more than an annoying disturbance; it can lead to poor sleep quality and can be harmful to your overall health. Scientific data suggests that people who snore, often have sleep apnea and they are twice as likely to have heart disease and fatal heart attacks.
Health Risks Associated with Snoring
Snoring is a symptom of other possible health issues, such as a narrowing in your airways while you sleep. This usually occurs because you breathe through your mouth, or your nasal passages and throat are obstructed. Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- Dry throat or redness in the throat when you wake up.
- Insomnia.
- Frequent headaches, fogginess or drowsiness during the day.
- Shortness of breath when you wake up.
- A small jaw.
- Tongue with scalloped edges.
If any of this sounds familiar, make an appointment with Dr. Evanson. She is a skilled general and family dentist, experienced in correcting this annoying and potentially dangerous oral health issue.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Snoring is probably related to sleep apnea; a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing hundreds of times during the night for a second or two, while you sleep. Constant interruptions to your sleep are what causes drowsiness and feeling foggy during the day. This is dangerous to your health. When you stop breathing, your brain could “forget” to tell you to start breathing again. Sleep apnea is a serious issue! Studies show that if you have sleep apnea you have three times the risk of death compared to those without sleep apnea.
How Can My Dentist Help with Snoring?
During an examination, Dr. Evanson will check the composition of your teeth, gums, throat, and jaw to pinpoint the cause of your snoring. Common issues include:
- Clenching your jaw – Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth during sleep sends a message to your brain to wake up so you can take a breath. Clenching is just one of the oral health signs of sleep apnea.
- Tooth grinding (bruxism) is often one of the first signs of sleep apnea. Worn tooth surfaces indicate that you grind your teeth while you sleep. Grinding causes tooth wear and breakage.
- Inflamed and receding gums.
- Increased cavities are associated with tooth grinding because the force breaks down your teeth and makes them susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria.
Depending on the cause and severity of your sleep apnea, Dr. Evanson will create a custom-made mouthpiece to help establish an open airway while you sleep. This type of mouthpiece will help your jaw stay in the proper position, help you stop snoring and alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “custom-made oral mouthpieces can improve sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) and dentists are the only health care provider with the knowledge and expertise to provide oral appliance therapy (OAT).”
Dentists Are the Only Health Care Providers with the Expertise to Provide Oral Appliance Therapy
If these symptoms such as snoring, sleepiness, choking or witnessed apnea sound familiar, please make an appointment with Dr. Evanson. She can screen you for SRBD as part of your dental examination, and help you improve your overall health. Contact us online or call (720) 409-0008.
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