Earlier this month, we talked about what sleep apnea is and the benefits of seeing a dentist as part of your treatment plan to help break your cycle of bad sleep for good. We thought we’d take some time to talk about how it affects your teeth and your overall health (and why you should care).

Are you constantly waking up in the morning with grogginess and irritability even though you thought you got a good night’s sleep? Are you having frequent headaches? Is your bed partner sleeping somewhere else because of your loud, excessive snoring?

There’s a good chance sleep apnea is the reason why. Read on to learn how this sometimes life-threatening disorder can disrupt your life and what you can do to change it all.

Is Sleep Apnea Affecting My Teeth?

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, it’s estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but only 80 percent of those cases are ever properly diagnosed? That’s a daunting statistic considering the fact that sleep apnea can be so detrimental to your oral and overall health.

Unfortunately, your teeth are susceptible to sleep apnea too. We often see patients who struggle with this sleep disorder who have hairline cracks, chips near the gumline, and worn down or broken teeth. How can snoring do all of this? As it turns out, about half of sleep apnea patients also grind their teeth or have bruxism. Sometimes bruxism is a result of you trying to get more oxygen or it can directly contribute to the apnea itself.

This is why it’s always best to talk to your Asheville dentist about your symptoms and concerns so we can create a treatment plan that’s going to give you real solutions for a better quality of life.

Is Sleep Apnea Affecting My Overall Health?

We hope you’re beginning to see that sleep apnea if left undiagnosed or untreated can have some severe side effects. Look at these common symptoms listed below. Is there something or maybe even a few things that stand out to you? If yes, maybe you should schedule a no-obligation consultation at our convenient Asheville dental office.

• Excessive night sweats and chest pain
• Restlessness during sleep
• Waking unrefreshed or overly tired
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating or learning problems
• Depression or anxiety
• Increased blood pressure

These are just a few of the symptoms you should think about. They’re dangerous and can lead to heightened blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and increased risk for cancer.

How Can We Help You?

Dr. Douglas Phillips and Dr. James Hogg are both sought-after for their experience and knowledge in helping to diagnose and treat sleep apnea for adult patients across Western North Carolina. As Diplomates with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, they have specialized training and a keen eye for recognizing the sleep apnea signs and symptoms.

If you or someone in your family is diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea or if you’re having trouble tolerating your CPAP machine, talk to us about how a custom oral appliance can relieve your symptoms and change the way you feel about treating sleep apnea. The appliance gently opens up your airway, requires no noisy machine, can be worn anytime, and is travel-friendly.

Why keep risking your oral and overall health? Talk to us about your sleep apnea options. Call Phillips & Schmitt DDS at 828-254-1944 today!