Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Sleep apnea is caused when the upper airway becomes obstructed. People who snore are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, and treatment is often necessary to correct the problem. When you ignore sleep apnea, you can face pretty serious health problems. It's a sleep disorder, where the person who suffers from it stops breathing numerous times throughout the night. This can lead to the brain not getting adequate amounts of oxygen and tissue damage occurring. Over the long term, sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. As sleep apnea is more common in those that are overweight, the first line of defense is to lose weight and get down to a more optimal size.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine (CPAP) 

The standard of care for those who are suffering from sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. This is a device that continually blows air into the patient to keep the airway open at all times. While it can be a bit uncomfortable at first, most people feel so much better after sleeping with a CPAP machine that it is worth getting over the discomfort. The machine must travel with the person on vacations and can be a bit cumbersome to deal with. You can choose to sleep with a nasal canula if you sleep with your mouth closed, or you can have a full mask that allows you to sleep with your mouth open and still get the right airway pressure to keep it open.

Mouth Devices from Your Dentist

Another way to treat sleep apnea is by visiting with your dentist. You can be fitted for a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) or a tongue retaining device, which isn't as commonly used. The mandibular advancement device fits much like a mouth guard, and it has been successful at treating mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. Wearing a dental device to sleep over the long term can cause problems with the jaw, dry mouth, chapped lips and the bite, but these are mild compared to the pain and suffering one deals with when diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can have a major impact on your daily life, without you even realizing it. If you are chronically tired and feel like you never get a good night's sleep, it's time to talk with your doctor about your potential for sleep apnea.