Sleep Apnea Needs Treatment to Reduce the Effects and Dangers – We Can Help
Posted on 6/2/2025 by Oral Surgery Specialists of Austin Office |
 Do you wake up gasping for air, feeling tired even after a full night's sleep, or experience loud snoring that disrupts your partner's sleep? These could be signs of sleep apnea, a serious condition that affects millions of people. If left untreated, sleep apnea can have significant effects on your oral care, overall health, and daily life.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. This can happen hundreds of times a night, interrupting your sleep and depriving your body of oxygen. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
| • |
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common type, OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax and block your airway during sleep. |
| • |
Central sleep apnea (CSA): Less common, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. |
| • |
Mixed sleep apnea: A combination of OSA and CSA. |
How Sleep Apnea Affects Oral Care
Sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your oral health, leading to:
| • |
Dry mouth: Your mouth dries out while you sleep due to mouth breathing, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease. |
| • |
Tooth decay: Decreased saliva production makes it harder to wash away food particles and bacteria, leading to tooth decay. |
| • |
Gum disease: Inflammation and infection of the gums can occur due to the increased bacteria in your mouth. |
| • |
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Sleep apnea can contribute to pain and discomfort in the jaw joint. |
How Sleep Apnea Affects Overall Health
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe health problems, including:
| • |
High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can cause your blood pressure to rise, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| • |
Heart disease: The lack of oxygen during sleep can damage your heart and blood vessels. |
| • |
Stroke: Sleep apnea increases your risk of stroke by affecting blood flow to the brain. |
| • |
Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea can disrupt your body's ability to regulate blood sugar, increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. |
| • |
Depression: Sleep apnea can lead to depression due to the constant sleep deprivation it causes. |
How We Can Help
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it's important to seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. We can help you:
| • |
Get a diagnosis: We can perform a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity. |
| • |
Develop a treatment plan: We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you, which may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. |
| • |
Monitor your progress: We will monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. |
Don't Let Sleep Apnea Control Your Life
Sleep apnea is a serious condition, but it is treatable. By seeking treatment, you can improve your oral health, overall health, and quality of life. We are here to help you get the healthy sleep you deserve.
Restoration Dentistry: A Comprehensive Approach to Restoring Your Oral Health
In addition to treating sleep apnea, we offer a wide range of restoration dentistry services to help you achieve optimal oral health. If you are experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, or any other concerns about your oral health, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you restore your smile and improve your overall well-being.
|
|
