Sleep Apnea Dentist Q&A

Sleep apnea can become a serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Many who snore loudly and often feel tired after a full night’s sleep may be dealing with sleep apnea, and not even know it.

The three types of sleep apnea include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common sleep apnea type that occurs when the throat muscles relax

• Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain does not send the signals it needs to the muscles that control your breathing

• Complex sleep apnea syndrome

This occurs when someone has both central and obstructive sleep apnea, it is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea

The warning signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can make it difficult which type you may have; the most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea types include:

• Loud snoring
• When you have times that your body stops breathing during sleep
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Awakening with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
• Irritability

You should visit your dentist if you continue to snore loudly, as it is an indication of a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. If you are showing any of the signs or symptoms as noted above for sleep apnea, talk to one of our dentists at Great Smiles Family Dentistry, they will be able to evaluate your symptoms and examine you to determine if you qualify for sleep apnea treatment options.

Causes of obstructive sleep apnea are when the muscle in the back of your throat starts to relax. These muscles support the soft palate, which is the triangular piece of tissue that hangs from the soft palate, the tonsils, the sidewalls of the throat, and finally the tongue. When your muscles start to relax, your airway begins to narrow or closes as you breathe in. You will not be able to get enough air, which will lower the oxygen levels in your blood.

Your brain will then sense your body’s inability to breathe, and will briefly rouse you from sleep so you are able to open up your airway. During this time, you may snort, choke or even gasp. This pattern can repeat itself at least five to 30 times or more each and every hour, all night, which then affects your sleep.

Causes of central sleep apnea are the less common form of the two and occur when your brain fails to transmit signals to your breathing muscles. This is when your body makes no effort to breathe for a short period of time. You will awaken with shortness of breath or have more difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.

If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can result in a number of health issues including hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks.

Sleep apnea is known to cause arrhythmias and heart failure, if you have sleep apnea, you tend to have higher blood pressure. This is due to the fact that sleep apnea can cause:

• Repeated occurrences of oxygen lowering (also called hypoxia)
• Changes in your carbon dioxide levels
• Direct effects on the heart due to the pressure changes in your chest
• Increased levels of inflammation

Due to this, it is highly recommended you speak to your physician at Great Smiles Family Dentistry, so they can offer advice or treatment options to help.

Dentists have the ability to offer sleep appliances to their patients who may be suffering from sleep apnea. These dental appliances can help them breathe easier, and have a better night’s rest. If you think you may be dealing with sleep apnea, contact Great Smiles Family Dentistry today! We serve patients from Toledo OH, Oregon OH, Ottawa Hills OH, Perrysburg OH, Woodhurst OH, Sylvania OH, and Shoreland OH.