Taking care of your smile is a lifelong endeavor, and one that certainly begins at an early age. Moreover, virtually every factor out there can negatively influence your smile’s health in some way, shape, form, or another, and some may even affect you in ways that you are completely unaware about. These nontraditional dental concerns are the ones that creep up on you, especially if you are not attending routine checkups and cleanings. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO dentist takes a look at the phenomenon known as sleep apnea, and discusses how OSA can negatively influence your overall health.
Nontraditional Oral Concerns
Nontraditional oral concerns or dental issues consist of those that do not immediately come to mind. For example, traditional concerns consist of tooth decay, gum disease, or other physical damage to the teeth. Though these are some of the biggest threats to your oral health, it would be foolish to assume that they are the only factors you have to be aware of.
An example of a nontraditional issue might consist of a sleep issue such as chronic teeth grinding or sleep apnea. Looking at sleep apnea, in particular, this phenomenon occurs when the muscles in the throat become relaxed, thus causing the airway to become blocked and prevent necessary amounts of oxygen from reaching the brain. As a result, a person will periodically stop breathing properly throughout a night of slumber.
You may be wondering, ‘what exactly does this have to do with my oral health?’ In all actuality, it has a lot to do with it! You see, untreated OSA can develop into an even bigger concern the longer you await treatment, and before you know it, you are facing significant health complications. For more information, give our team a call.
Lifelong Implications
Immediate implications of sleep apnea result in restless sleep. This contributes to daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty paying attention, and more. In addition to these immediate effects, however, you also face lifelong health concerns if treatment is not sought.
Indeed, issues such as cardiovascular problems, liver issues, complications with surgeries and medications, and more can occur as a result of inconsistent or restless sleep, and this is the last thing our team wants you to have to endure. Contact our office to learn your options.
Utilizing Comfort Technology
Treating sleep apnea might not be the easiest practice, however, advanced technology allows our team to create custom appliances to ensure comfort and protection. What’s more? We will take care to obtain precise measurements as well as get to know the root of your concern so that we can provide the best treatment for your concerns.
Learn More Today
Contact Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO by calling 816-942-7669 to learn more about the ways a sleep apnea appliance can help alleviate restless sleep, and schedule your next appointment with our team.