Have you been struggling with sleeplessness and snoring? If you live in Langhorne, Newtown, Princeton, and surrounding areas, don’t worry anymore. Our sleep experts at Yardley Dental Arts can help you sleep better. As you probably know, lack of enough sleep can be detrimental to your overall health. Understanding sleep apnea In a recent report, the National Sleep Foundation revealed that nearly 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. It is a severe sleep disorder that is characterized by repeated breathing interruptions at different times of the night. Breathing may pause for 30 seconds or more, and it can occur up to 30 times in an hour. If you snore loudly, wake with a dry mouth or feeling tired and lethargic after a full night’s sleep, you may need to see a Bucks County dentist. Types of sleep apnea There are three types of sleep apnea: • Obstructive sleep apnea- it is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway’s (throat muscles) relaxes. The collapsing of the throat muscles prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs. • Central sleep apnea- sometimes while asleep, the brain may stop sending signals to the muscles that control breathing. Theirs is usually no interruption on the airways, but the body responds as if the airway is blocked. • Complex sleep apnea syndrome- it occurs when an individual has both central and obstructive sleep apneas. Effects of sleep apnea on your health Sleep apnea puts an individual at a higher risk of developing other chronic health problems. It can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Some studies show that people with sleep apnea are more likely to have high blood pressure, mood disorders, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and obesity. Also, if untreated, sleep apnea can lead to chronic fatigue, which increases the risk of accidents. How our dentists can help with sleep apnea A dentist is often the first healthcare professional to diagnose sleep disorders. The first sign of sleep disorders that a dentist will look out for is tooth grinding. Presence of worn-out tooth surfaces or painful jaws is a sign that you grind your teeth while asleep. Other signs that a dentist will look out for include redness in the throat, a small jaw, and a tongue with scalloped edges. If a Bucks County dentist diagnoses you with sleep apnea, they may recommend dental sleep devices that can help in treating sleep disorder. Use of mandibular advancement devices can help to strengthen your throat muscles, thus preventing them from collapsing while you sleep. In some cases, a Bucks County dentist may recommend tongue retaining devices. These oral devices help to keep your tongue in forward, thus keeping your airway open throughout the night. Our dentists work closely with the patients to ensure that the oral devices are working and improving your symptoms. Initially, these oral devices may seem uncomfortable, but most of the patients adjust within a few days. If you have sleep problems and you want to discuss your treatment options, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an appointment today to learn how Yardley Dental Arts can help with your condition.