What Can Sleep Apnea Cause if it is Left Untreated?

2554 Lewisville-Clemmons Road
Clemmons, NC 27012

What Can Sleep Apnea Cause if it is Left Untreated?

Greenway Village Dental

Did you know that sleep apnea is the most common sleeping disorder in the United States? Despite how common it is, many people do not know they have it.

While you likely have heard of this condition, do you know what symptoms it can cause and the impact it can have on your health?

This disorder can negatively impact many aspects of your health, including your dental health. That is why getting a proper diagnosis and speaking with a dentist is important.

Before going and speaking with a medical professional, it is best to have an idea of what this sleeping disorder is.

Read on to learn about what this sleeping disorder is, how it can impact your health, and how to find the best dentist in Clemmons, NC.

Sleep Apnea: What It Is

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes an individual to suddenly stop and start breathing while they are asleep.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Headaches
Snoring
Sore throat when waking up
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness at night
Being woken up due to gasping or choking
Fatigue throughout the day

These symptoms can coincide with many other conditions, so it is a common occurrence that people may overlook sleep apnea as the cause of these symptoms.

There are two main and one complex types of sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), is the most commonly seen type in people with sleep apnea.

This type of sleep apnea is when a blockage occurs in the upper airways. This causes your chest and diaphragm to work harder than they usually would in order to breathe in.

You may gasp or jerk around, but likely you do not realize it is happening since you are asleep.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), is similar to OSA as it prevents you from breathing in properly while asleep, but it is caused by your brain rather than a blockage. Someone with CSA stops breathing because their brain does not tell their muscles to take in needed air.

This type of sleep apnea is most commonly seen in people who have a serious illness and does not cause snoring, while OSA does.

Complex sleep apnea is when an individual has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Health

Sleep apnea is a condition that should never go untreated, as this can lead to many potential health issues.

Untreated sleep apnea can cause continuous fatigue throughout the day. This is because you likely are not getting the right amount and proper sleep that prevents fatigue.

Heart and blood pressure problems can arise as well. This is because your blood oxygen levels can drop when you are not breathing while asleep.

Issues with surgery and certain medications can occur as well. When put under anesthesia or medication to cause sedation, people may not take well to it as their breathing may be abnormal during a procedure.

Other potential issues such as liver complications, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes can occur.

Apnea Dental Problems

Getting proper sleep plays a role in your dental health and oral hygiene.

Those with sleep apnea are more likely to develop certain dental problems.

Dental conditions associated with sleep apnea:

TMJ
Bruxism
Mouth breathing

TMJ disorders are related to sleep apnea and those with these disorders experience jaw pain, difficulty chewing and opening the jaw, and lockjaw can occur as well.

Bruxism is what is known as teeth grinding and is commonly seen in patients with sleep apnea This is considered a sleep-related disorder, as the clenching or grinding of teeth occurs while asleep. This can cause potential damage to teeth if untreated.

Mouth breathing is commonly seen in cases of sleep apnea because the gasping of air may cause you to breathe through your mouth. This can cause tooth decay, plaque, gingivitis, and mouth sores.

Treating Sleep Apnea

As you can see, leaving this sleep disorder untreated can lead to many potential problems down the line.

There are ways this disorder can be treated. One commonly used machine is a CPAP machine. These machines are costly and may be uncomfortable for some.

Scheduling an appointment with a dentist to discuss treatment options for your sleep apnea is beneficial for both your dental health and sleep apnea. The dentist can discuss with you ways to help you with any dental problems that have occurred due to sleep apnea and treat your sleep apnea.

Finding a Dentist in Clemmons, NC

Finding a dentist can be a difficult process, especially one that treats conditions such as sleep apnea.

There are certain qualities you should look for when choosing a dentist to see for your dental health. Here are a couple of qualities to look for.

Reviews and testimonials are a great way to decipher how well the staff does their job and the experience you should expect to have. Look into the reviews and testimonials they have on their website, as this can give you insight.

Some dental offices only offer basic services such as cleanings and treating cavities.

One good way to see how experienced the staff is by looking into what services they offer. Dentists that offer a wide variety of services and have great testimonials to back up their services are a quality to look for.

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Today

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms and potential conditions. Seeing a dentist can help treat your sleep apnea and other dental problems caused by it.

Rice & Associates is the dentist in Clemmons, NC to call for your sleep apnea and overall dental health concerns. The staff is dedicated to providing patients will compassionate and exceptional services.

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