Taking care of your oral health involves much more than simply brushing your teeth on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, there are many more issues that can lead to complications with your oral health, including teeth-grinding, tooth decay, gum disease and infection, and countless others. As such, a well-rounded preventive routine is necessary for addressing as many areas of the oral cavity as possible. Still, however, issues that one might not deem traditional can impact your health as well, but how do we account for these concerns? In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist looks at the damaging effects of sleep apnea on your health, and how you can seek treatment to address these concerns.
OSA Versus CSA
Whether you are aware of it or not, there are actually a number of nontraditional situations that can lead to a negative impact on your oral health. A prime example of this includes a variety of sleep problems and disorders, including bruxism, snoring, and overall sleep apnea. Taking a look more specifically at sleep apnea, it is important for patients to know how a sleeping disorder such as this can impact their oral health.
To begin, there are two primary forms of sleep apnea: obstructive (OSA) and central (CSA). Obstructive occurs when the muscles in the throat relax while you are unconscious, causing the airway to become obstructed. This results in the inability to breathe correctly and results in your brain sending messages to briefly rouse you during the night to correct the issue.
On the other hand, central occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This form is less common than obstructive, and some individuals are even affected by both in combination. To learn more about these circumstances, reach out to our team today.
Understanding the Signs
When a person develops OSA, there are a few telltale signs you can look to. For example, you may awaken with a dry mouth, have trouble sleeping at night, experience hypersomnia during the day, have difficulty paying attention, experience irritability, and more.
In addition to immediate signs, it is important to note that without treatment, this concern will begin to impact your overall health as well. For example, a person experiencing OSA may develop heart complications, liver problems, difficulties with certain medications or surgeries, and more.
What You Can Do
While OSA can be potentially fatal, it can also be treated when identified early on. Indeed, oral appliances and other options can be used to manage the condition, and the sooner you seek treatment, the better off you will be.
Learn More Today
Contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about your options today.
Recent Comments