It goes without saying that there are a variety of oral health concerns out there that can negatively influence your smile’s health, and sometimes we require detailed treatment to ensure proper care. This notion is not unique to common oral health concerns such as tooth decay or infection either, and this is even more true for uncommon or nontraditional issues. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist takes a look at the connection between sleep issues and your oral health, as well as what your treatment options may be when presented with a sleep concern that impacts your health.
Understanding Sleep Issues
There is a lot that can be determined from your routine checkup and cleaning. For example, your dentist can gain an understanding of how thorough your preventive dental routine is, how frequently you consume sugars, and of course, identify any major points of concern that should be treated and addressed. Another important item that your dentist can identify is if you are enduring a sleeping disorder.
Indeed, a sleep issue is considered an oral health concern that not only impacts the health of your teeth and other oral structures but impacts your overall physical health as well. Some of the most common sleep issues out there include snoring, which is caused by the body’s attempt at regulating breathing, sleep apnea, and teeth-grinding. To learn more about this process and why it is important to seek treatment for sleep-related concerns, contact our team today.
The Connection to Oral Health
While it may be obvious how teeth-grinding impacts your oral health, you may be confused as to why snoring and sleep apnea are considered oral health-related sleep issues. You see, sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes restricted and not enough air is able to make its way to the brain. As a result, the brain sends signals to the muscles in your body to try and attempt to correct the issue.
The signals can indicate a couple of different responses. One of which involves teeth-grinding, as this process tightens the muscles and opens the restricted airway. Another response involves briefly rousing you to correct the issue in a process known as sleep apnea. The issue here, however, is that this leads to cycles of being unable to properly breathe, which result in cycles of rousing, and thus ineffective sleep. To learn more about this process, reach out to our team today.
Resources that Can Help
The dangerous part about sleep issues is that, without treatment, they can lead to cardiovascular complications down the line, thus putting your health at significant risk. Fortunately, oral appliances and guided treatment can help correct this issue and thus helps you prioritize your overall health and acquire more restful sleep.
Learn More Today
For more information about the benefits of sleep issue treatment, contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team today.
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