How A Dentist Can Help You Sleep Better

We all need sleep. In fact, nearly every system in our body relies on proper amounts of rest in order to function. When our sleep is lacking or consistently disrupted, it can produce serious daytime symptoms that impact your overall health and quality of life. If you have a bed partner, your sleep habits can impact both of you. Some of the most common and disruptive sleep habits include snoring, teeth grinding and sleep apnea. Believe it or not, your dentist is qualified to address all of these concerns!

Nighttime Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding or clenching (called bruxism) can wreak havoc on your oral health. The excessive pressure and force is far more than your teeth and jaw muscles are designed to handle. Therefore, patients who grind and clench their teeth are at risk for sore teeth, worn down teeth, damaged dental work and TMJ problems. Since teeth grinding is hard to control while you are sleeping, a custom mouth guard can be provided by your dentist to protect your teeth and TMJ from these disruptive setbacks.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

A more serious sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea involves several episodes of brief pauses in breathing during the night. When the airway is blocked, the brain signals the body to wake up. Patients tend to snore loudly with this condition and startle themselves when they wake up gasping for air. This lack of oxygen to the brain that can occur hundreds of times per night does not go unscathed. Sleep apnea sufferers are at risk for a host of consequences ranging from daytime fatigue and poor concentration to cardiovascular disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

A qualified sleep dentist can offer a FDA approved mouth guard to wear during the night and prevent dangerous sleep apnea episodes as well as loud snoring. By repositioning the jaw, the airway can remain open, and patients can enjoy a healthy quality of sound sleep. While CPAP machines also treat sleep apnea, many patients are unable or unwilling to tolerate these bulky appliances and prefer a sleep mouthguard instead.

Call Your Baton Rouge Dentist

Are you concerned that you or your loved one is not getting quality sleep due to teeth grinding, snoring or sleep apnea? Call Southern Oaks Family Dental to learn more about our custom oral appliance therapy. We promise high quality materials and a comfortable fit so that your sleep is as good as it should be.