Snoring may not be something you take seriously. You might even laugh or joke about it. But the fact is, anytime you or your partner snore to the point of waking, it could be a sign of serious health problems.
Sleep Apnea and Its Effects
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is potentially dangerous, and the most common symptom is loud snoring. Breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the night, and you wake up feeling tired. Other serious effects from sleep apnea could be potentially dangerous to your health if left unaddressed.
Besides losing a good night’s sleep, you may experience difficulty concentrating. Depression, risk of heart attack, irritability, high blood pressure, memory loss, sexual dysfunction, and chances of stroke all increase when sleep apnea is not treated.
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax to the point of inhibiting natural breathing. The muscles used to support the soft palate relax and the airway closes, causing breathing to stop for 10 to 20 seconds. This lowers the oxygen level in the brain. As the brain senses the inhibited oxygen levels it rouses the sleeper awake so the airway can reopen. Normally, the reawakening is so brief the person won’t remember it.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, visit our office and let the doctor determine what treatment is needed. Without it, you could risk losing more than a restful night’s sleep.
Prevention and Treatment
Anyone can develop sleep apnea, but it is more common among middle-aged adults who are overweight. Our dentist can help you determine the cause and suggest positive treatment.
A common treatment for apnea is the placement of oral devices that are designed to help keep the airway open. By bringing the jaw forward, the device opens the airway and thereby discourages snoring. Our dentist is experienced in sleep apnea appliances and can prescribe a fitted device and monitor its success with follow-up therapy.
A continuous positive airway pressure mask, known as a CPAP, is among the other treatment options. A mask is fitted over the mouth and forces oxygen through the throat while you sleep. The pressure holds the soft tissue and throat muscles open.
The professionals in our office can advise you of other ways to prevent sleep apnea, including weight loss, avoiding alcohol, or alternative sleeping positions. We can help you sleep return to easy sleep, knowing you are safer and healthier during your resting hours.
At our dental office, we prefer our patients to practice good oral hygiene between office visits. Part of that process includes flossing, which is the process of cleaning between the teeth to remove food and debris from the areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. When food is allowed to remain between the teeth, it provides a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause periodontal disease.
Now that many of the schools are back in session, we would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time this fall.
This August marks the 34th anniversary for our hygienist Wanda. We are so lucky to have so many dedicated and loyal long term team members. Wanda has been with us the longest. I have been fortunate to know Wanda for all these years as I grew up around the practice with my dad, Dr. Dalseth. Wanda has two grown boys and this fall the youngest will be getting married, her and her husband are so excited for Bryce to start the next chapter in his life.
At Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that oral health is just one part of overall wellness. Studies show that lack of proper oral hygiene can be linked to systemic disease, low birth weight babies, and potential cardiac disease. The body can also have a effect on the oral cavity. For example, diabetes can cause in increased risk of periodontal/ gum disease. A lot of different medications can effect our mouth most importantly causing dry mouth and thus putting us at risk for cavities, such medications may include those for high blood pressure, depression, and cholesterol.
In honor of June Dairy Month, our team would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. You make us proud!
Here at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry love to share news about the office, staff, and patients. Like a lot of people, Facebook is a great avenue to share and catch up on what is new. This month we celebrated 10 year anniversaries for 4 employees. I would also like to give a shout out to Dr. Todd Weber. We have had the privilege of having him work with us for the past 5 years. He has been a great addition to the team, including introducing orthodontics and Invisalign. When you come in next time make sure you congratulate him and ask him about braces.
Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.
Thanks for the question. Your first visit typically includes an x-ray that allows us to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth decay.