Get a Good Night’s Sleep Again

Bugging the person who sleeps next to you isn’t the only reason to ask your dentist about your snoring. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that affects more than 5 million Canadians.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may or may not snore, but they can experience serious disruptions to their life, including headaches, fatigue, and even stopping breathing during the night.

Book an appointment today for an assessment from your dentist that can help you find effective solutions.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your airway is blocked or narrowed during sleep. It can happen 5 to 30 times per hour while you’re asleep.

Signs of sleep apnea can include:

Loud snoring (though not everyone experiences this)
Feeling tired in the morning and throughout the day
Waking up with a headache
Gasping, choking, or difficulty breathing during the night

Know The Risks & Treatments

You can do some things to manage your risk of sleep apnea, but others you can’t change. Risk factors can include:

Being male: men are more 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than women
Family history of sleep apnea
Excess weight
Smoking: smokers are 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea
Alcohol or sedative use
Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and Parkinson’s Disease

Treatment For Sleep Apnea

Your dentist can make some lifestyle recommendations to help ease mild sleep apnea symptoms, including:

A healthy weight loss regime, if relevant
Sleeping on your side
Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed

Your dentist or orthodontist also may recommend an oral appliance to treat your symptoms. This is a mouthguard-like device that repositions your tongue and jaw while you sleep.