Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to every aspect of your health and wellness. If you can’t sleep well, it’s essential that you find solutions quickly. Most people don’t realize that their dentist might be able to help them with some sleep issues. It’s reported that 12% of adults aged 20 to 60 haven’t been to the dentist in the last 5 years. If this describes you, it’s probably time to schedule a check-up to discuss options to help you sleep better. Let’s look at a few ways a dental professional can help you sleep better.
Snoring
Snoring can really interrupt a good night’s sleep both for you and your partner. Snoring is often a result of OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This is a condition that can put you at high risk for other serious health conditions such as stroke, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart failure.
When you visit the dentist, they will be able to examine you to help determine if your snoring problem is just regular snoring, or if it’s sleep apnea. Remember, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but everyone who has sleep apnea snores.
The reason your dentist can help with this problem is because sleep apnea is an issue of the anatomy of the jaw, mouth, and nose. A dentist service will be able to evaluate your facial anatomy to tell you if you have this condition.
How A Dental Professional Can Help
A dentist can offer you several different services that might assist with sleep apnea. There are preventative steps you can take such as losing weight. Sleep apnea is often associated with obesity. There are also restorative steps and cosmetic steps.
There are dental devices designed to assist with sleep apnea problems. These devices are worn much like a dental retainer in the mouth. They are intended to open up the nasal passages so that you are able to breathe more clearly while sleeping.
Mouthguards are another option. Many patients say that sleep apnea mouth guards are more comfortable than traditional C-PAP machines or bulking dental devices. This technology helps prevent teeth grinding as well.
If you are interested in learning more about how your dentist service can help with a better night’s sleep, please contact Bright Side Dental today. Our experienced and friendly staff is here to help you care for your oral health.