For many people, stress and other factors could cause difficulty sleeping or maintaining a regular schedule. Over time, this could mean the onset of a serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In today’s blog, we’re looking at improving your daily routine to avoid OSA, and when you may need to talk to your Astoria, NY, dentist!
Poor Rest and Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which the soft tissues in the back of your mouth and in your throat become too relaxed as you sleep, collapsing and cutting off airflow. You stop breathing briefly until the brain wakes, interrupting your sleep cycle. Despite having little to no memory of these episodes, sufferers could have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times a night in some cases. Factors behind the disorder include irregular sleep cycles, consuming too much caffeine, excessive alcohol consumption, neck circumference, and issues with your sinuses or allergies. Warning signs include chronic snoring, headaches during the day, and trouble waking up or daytime drowsiness. People with OSA also report irritability and problems staying focused on tasks at work or school.
Improving Your Oral Health and Sleep Habits
To help limit your risks of developing this disorder, try to go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. A sleep schedule can be very helpful! Try to avoid alcohol, caffeinated products, large meals, or vigorous exercise in the two hours before bed. Keep your bedroom dark and cool, and free of screens (like TVs and computers). Avoid looking at your smartphone in bed, as the blue light could be confused by the brain as sunlight.
What If I Have Sleep Apnea?
At the moment, we’re unable to offer treatment for general and preventive oral health issues. Which means if you begin to experience the warning signs of sleep apnea, you will need to wait until our doors open before we can discuss treatment options. To treat issues like snoring and sleep apnea, we often opt for a custom-made oral appliance. You wear the device as you sleep, and it repositions the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues in the night, so you rest without interruption! If you have any questions about identifying and addressing your OSA risk from home, or if you would like to learn more about our treatment options, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Your Smile’s Health?
If you have questions about your sleep, and worry about common disorders like OSA, then contact our team. To learn more about preventive dental care and better homecare habits, then schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
