If you are regularly struggling to get the restful night’s sleep you need, then you may be one of the millions of patients living with sleep apnea. This chronic condition makes it difficult for patients to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels as they sleep. Keep reading to learn more from our West Bloomfield sleep apnea dentists.
Here’s what happens to patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea: as the patient falls asleep his or her oral tissues relax. Unfortunately, these tissues relax a little too much, and they fall into the patient’s airway. As the patient breaths throughout the night, he or she is unable to get enough air.
When the patient’s blood oxygen levels drop to a certain level, the patient’s body wakes itself back up in order to restart the breathing process. This “restart” also disrupts the patient’s REM sleep. That is why so many sleep apnea sufferers wake up tired even after a seemingly full night’s sleep.
If you are dealing with any of these issues, it’s time to talk to your dentist about undergoing a sleep apnea assessment:
- Chronic, loud snoring
- Dry mouth at night
- Frequent headaches, especially upon waking or before falling asleep
- A gasping or choking sensation in the night
There are simple, patient-friendly treatments available to help you manage obstructive sleep apnea and keep the air flowing. Our West Bloomfield sleep apnea dentists actually offer CPAP alternatives, like customized mouth guards to help keep your mouth in a healthy position while you’re asleep.
Because chronic sleep apnea leaves you susceptible to developing a range of health issues in the future, it is crucial that you seek treatment for this type of issue as soon as notice it develop. As always, our team is happy to answer any questions that you may have, and to schedule a personal consultation for you!