Do you ever feel like you just aren’t getting the kind of rest you need to have a productive day? If you also snore loudly, wake up with a sore throat, or experience daytime headaches, you might have a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Below is some information about this condition and how a dentist can help to soothe your symptoms. 

What Is Sleep Apnea? 

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing during sleep, depriving their brain and body of crucial oxygen. Often, people who have sleep apnea wake up gasping for air or feel like they can’t sleep deeply during the night. In addition to causing extreme fatigue, sleep apnea has been tied to a long list of other symptoms and conditions including dry mouth, tooth decay, irritability, weight gain, attention problems, and even cancer. 

How Can Your Dentist Help?

Two kinds of sleep apnea exist—central and obstructive. While central sleep apnea is a neurological condition where the brain doesn’t subconsciously prompt the body to breathe, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by tissue weight and the muscle laxity, physically obstructing breathing. 

Fortunately, dentists can help with obstructive sleep apnea by creating a custom mouth guard designed to adjust the lower jaw so it sits forward slightly. These devices improve muscle tone and move the tongue out of the way, protecting your airway as you sleep. 

Don’t let sleep apnea symptoms compromise your health and disrupt your sleep. If you have been waking up tired, talk to your doctor about participating in a sleep study and meet with Timber Drive Dental in Rhinelander, WI, if you need an oral device. In addition to helping patients tackle mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms, Dr. Paco Fralick also offers a wide range of preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental solutions to perfect your smile. To learn more, visit his website or call (715) 365-1800.