Why You May Want To Discuss Sleep Apnea At Your Dental Exam

You may not have a toothache, or any trouble biting and chewing, but you may still have a problem worth mentioning to your dentist at your next dental exam. If you have a habit of snoring, if you seem incapable of enjoying restful sleep, or if you are showing symptoms of chronic fatigue, it could be because you are dealing with sleep apnea. Patients who struggle with this problem can face more health threats than they realize, as this problem can affect your physical health as well as your emotional and mental well-being. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we can recommend the use of a nightly oral appliance that keeps your airways open while you sleep, and effectively puts a stop to your troubles with sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea Can Affect You

Obstructive sleep apnea affects a person by restricting their airflow while they are asleep. This restriction occurs because soft tissues cause obstructions in your breathing passages. To clear them, your body will have to force you out of sleep, breaking your rest cycle. Those interruptions may not be something you remember, but they are enough to make it difficult for you to enjoy the health benefits of a full night’s rest. The longer you go without treatment, the more you can experience worrying effects from sleep deprivation. This can take a toll on your mood, your ability to focus, and even your physical health!

Arranging Sleep Apnea Treatment With Your Dentist

When you talk with your dentist about sleep apnea, you can find out about the benefits of treatment with a custom oral appliance. The appliance’s function is to keep your jaw positioned in a way that stops your airways from being obstructed. When that interference no longer occurs, your body can remain at rest, you can complete your sleep cycles, and you can be free of frustrating health problems.

Don’t Miss Out On Beneficial Care Offered During Your Exams!

If you are not scheduling regular dental exams, you can miss out on more health support than you might realize. In addition to dealing with sleep apnea, we can help you stop a problem with bruxism, or nightly teeth grinding, from wearing down your enamel and causing damage to your smile. We also provide periodontal health support to patients in addition to help with cavity prevention. Protection against gum disease can be more important than you realize, as an infection can lead to serious complications over time, including tooth loss!

Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office About Sleep Apnea Treatment

Our dentist’s office in Ankeny, IA is prepared to address more problems than you might recognize. Those problems include issues with sleep apnea, which can affect your well-being in more ways than you might realize! To find out more, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.