Porcelain Veneers that Fit
December 26, 2016Is Sleep Apnea an Issue for You?
January 9, 2017Dental Solutions For Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t have to be a life sentence when you consider oral appliance therapy.
Dr. Jack Ringer is an accredited Fellow with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has the tools and the expertise to give you the smile you deserve in 2017. However, Dr. Ringer does more than pretty smiles.
Dr. Ringer has also been trained in Oral Appliance therapy, and if you follow Dr. Ringers blog you will know that Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, affects millions of people all over the globe.
So what is OSA?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that could be serious. OSA cause breathing cessation while sleeping and occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during sleep blocking your airways. One of the most obvious signs of OSA is snoring; however, not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea.
According to Dr. Ringer from Dental Cosmetics in Anaheim Hills, obstructive sleep apnea may cause the following symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Sleeping during the day
- Waking up abruptly
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
- Moody
- Depressed
- Irritable
- Observed breathing cessation while sleeping
- Night Sweats
- High blood pressure
- Decreased libido
According to Dr. Ringer, you should see your doctor if your sleeping partner observes any of these signs:
- Loud snoring that wakes everyone in the household
- Waking up choking or gasping
- Breathing pauses while sleeping
- Excessive tiredness during the day
- Falling asleep at work or at the wheel
Obstructive sleep apnea can be serious leading to drops in oxygen levels. Those sudden blood oxygen drops will put a strain on your cardiovascular system, which could lead to hypertension, or high blood pressure. OSA can even increase your risk of heart attack and heart disease. If left untreated OSA puts you in the high-risk category for stroke and coronary artery disease.
See your doctor who can refer you to a sleep specialist, and if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Jack Ringer from Dental Cosmetics in Orange County who can determine what type of oral appliance therapy would be right for you. Call or click for an obstructive sleep apnea evaluation in Anaheim Hills today.