Insomnia, sleep apnea or stress concept. Sleepless woman awake and covering face in the middle of the night. Lady can't sleep. Nightmares or depression. Suffering from headache or migraine.By now, you are likely familiar with the importance of caring for your smile. Though brushing and flossing daily is an excellent way to stay on top of your oral health, it is important to recognize that other, nontraditional dental concerns can impact your grin differently. For example, chronic teeth grinding or bruxism can damage your teeth as well as your tissues, and the longer you wait to seek treatment, the worse the situation will be. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist discusses the way in which obstructive sleep apnea can influence your oral health, as well as why it is imperative you seek treatment immediately for these concerns.

More Than Just a Snore

It goes without saying that everyone knows someone who snores. After all, it is a common phenomenon, right? The truth of the matter is that snoring is not as harmless as people have come to believe, and as a matter of fact, it can often be indicative of a much larger concern.

You see, snoring occurs when the airway has become blocked to a degree that regular breathing is difficult. As a result, the muscles in your throat vibrate as air attempts to make its way through, resulting in a snore. When not enough oxygen is making its way to your brain, your brain picks up on this and sends signals to respective muscles to address the issue.

One such way that your body naturally tries to correct issues such as an obstructed airway is by briefly rousing to readjust. In other words, your brain will send signals or pulses that briefly rouse you from slumber. To learn more information about this process, give our team a call today.

An Obstructed Airway

When your brain sends signals that briefly rouse you, however, the effects only last temporarily. For this reason, people who experience obstructive sleep apnea may awaken in the morning feeling tired or exhausted, even after having a full night’s rest.

What’s more? OSA is characterized by brief periods of holding your breath and unhealthy breathing. The longer this phenomenon occurs, the worse it can be for your overall physical health. Give our team a call today to learn more about this process and why it is important to seek quality treatment.

Seeking Timely Treatment

Whether you are aware of it or not, sleep apnea affects your entire body, not just your oral health. Due to the nature of the condition, individuals experiencing its effects can develop cardiovascular complications, including heart problems and difficulties with medications, surgeries, and more. These issues only heighten with time, and it is not long before this concern becomes a deadly one.

Learn More Today

Take your health into your own hands by seeking necessary dental treatment sooner than later. Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more today.