Do you know anyone who has sleep apnea? If so, you may know that some individuals who are dealing with sleep apnea tend to snore or make other strange sounds while they’re sleeping. However, do you know exactly what sleep apnea is or what you may be able to do about it?
Still, it may be difficult for you to recognize sleep apnea since you’ll be asleep when you snore. However, sleep apnea also affects your waking hours, meaning there are a few signs you can watch for, such as feeling exhausted while you’re awake, struggling to focus, high blood pressure, and moodiness.
If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, you may wake up several times every night because your tongue and other muscles in your mouth obstruct your airway, making it difficult for you to breathe. Luckily, a doctor might be able to help you prevent this problem, but did you know that our dentist can also help? In reality, your dentist may be able to recognize sleep apnea before your doctor because dry mouth and enamel erosion can also be caused by sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, our team might recommend a custom oral appliance designed to stop muscles from blocking your airway. Luckily, you’ll only need to wear this appliance while you sleep.
If you’d like to learn more about sleep apnea, and about how you can deal with sleep apnea in Kansas City, we invite you to give Drake Family Dentistry a call at (913) 721-1300. Kansas City dentist, Dr. Tom Drake and our entire team will gladly address any of your concerns. We’re excited to hear from you!