6/12/2018 0 Comments Do I Have Sleep Apnea?Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, and many are not aware that they have this chronic disorder. Our patients are often surprised when we ask about various sleep-related issues during dental checkups. We do this because there are numerous signs and symptoms of sleep apnea that many people do not know. In fact, most of our patients are not aware that dental professionals are usually the first to spot signs of sleep apnea and then refer patients to a medical doctor for an official diagnosis.
It is a typical misconception that loud snoring is the only symptom of sleep apnea. There are several indicators of sleep apnea that are commonly noticed by a dentist. These include: • Teeth Grinding- Also called bruxism, teeth grinding occurs along with sleep apnea. Grinding the teeth is one way that the brain signals the body to wake up and breathe. • Jaw Clenching- Recent studies show that the action of jaw clenching occurs as the body’s way of trying to prevent the throat from relaxing too much, as this often leads to sleep apnea. • Dry Mouth- Those who have sleep apnea tend to be mouth breathers. Breathing through the mouth is the body’s way of attempting to get more oxygen. • Worn Teeth- Tooth grinding causes teeth to wear down because of the constant friction. • Morning Headaches- Jaw clenching or tooth grinding often cause these, but a marked lack of oxygen is also a cause of morning head pain. • Broken or Cracked Teeth- Another by-product of bruxism and jaw clenching, these are both symptoms of sleep apnea which motivate patients to see a dentist. • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder- More commonly known as TMJ disorder, this is an issue characterized by painful and stiff jaws. It often comes about because of teeth grinding and jaw clenching. These are both associated with sleep apnea and exacerbate the symptoms of TMJ. While it is true that a specialized medical doctor must officially diagnose sleep apnea, our dentist in Northridge is skilled at finding symptoms and looking for information that indicates sleep apnea. Additionally, there are various dental appliances which are very effective in treating some of the structural causes of sleep apnea. Our dentist can help you find a device to help you overcome sleep apnea. If you have one or more of the symptoms of sleep apnea, do not hesitate to contact our office. We can help get you on the road to a good night's sleep.
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