Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders worldwide, with millions of people suffering from it. It disrupts your sleep, causing health problems. People who experience sleep apnea go through repeated pauses in breathing while they sleep. It is easily missed sometimes but has many risks that you should know about.
This disorder not only causes fatigue but also increases the chances of getting a serious health issue like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
If you are facing a similar problem, then contact a general dentist in NY City. They can help you identify and manage sleep apnea. Dentists are well-trained and can easily notice any early signs of this condition, which makes dental checkups important if you want to keep yourself healthy.
Read this article to learn more about sleep apnea, how it affects your oral health, how dentists can diagnose and treat this disorder, and why it is important for you to act quickly.
Sleep Apnea and Its Implications on Oral Health
More than a sleep disorder, sleep apnea affects you in a lot of ways, which can be bad for your oral health. Early signs can easily be found by dentists by doing check-ups, and they can help you treat the problem right at the early stages when it is detected.
Some of the major oral health issues that can be caused by sleep apnea include dry mouth, bruxism, and the risk of contracting gum disease. It is, therefore, important to understand these symptoms of sleep apnea and treat it before it causes oral health problems.
How Dentists Diagnose Sleep Apnea
Dental professionals have thorough and proper education, which helps them in detecting the signs of sleep apnea that you might miss. They conduct proper oral examinations and collect information about your medical history in order to identify risk factors and symptoms of this disease.
Some common symptoms include swollen tonsils or a constricted airway. The dentist will ask you about your sleep patterns and snoring to get all the information he needs. If your doctor suspects that you might have sleep apnea, then they will ask you for a sleep study, which is a tool that is used to confirm your condition and severity.
Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Dentists play an important role in treating sleep apnea by giving you customized oral appliances that are designed to improve airflow. These devices basically give a non-invasive solution that helps patients get proper sleep without any discomfort.
Mandibular advancement devices (MADs)
These work by just shifting the lower jaw forward, which keeps the airway open when you fall asleep. They can be customized based on your needs. This makes them comfortable and effective at the same time.
Tongue-retaining devices (TRDs)
These are made to hold your tongue in its proper place. TRDs basically stop the tongue from blocking the airway and are best for people who face issues in breathing because of their tongue.
Oral appliance therapy offers many benefits, like ease of use, portability, and improved compliance compared to other treatments, which makes it an excellent choice for many patients.
The Importance of Follow-Up and Maintenance
Managing your sleep apnea properly is not only about getting the treatment and doing nothing; it requires regular checkups. Dentists check the progress of oral appliance therapy by looking for signs of wear and making any important changes that are needed.
These visits basically help detect any issues and make sure that the treatment is beneficial for the patient. Also, having open communication with your dentists and sleep specialists can help track any improvement in your sleep quality and overall health.
Consult With A Professional Today!
Take the first step for better sleep and health today. Consult with a dentist who will tell you all of the treatment options available to keep your health and well-being at par.
