Sleep is essential to our overall health and well-being, but what happens when your sleep is disrupted without you even realizing it? Sleep apnea is a common yet often undiagnosed condition that can significantly impact your health if left untreated. At Palmetto Smiles of Beaufort, we’re passionate about helping our patients not only with their oral health but their overall health as well — and that includes addressing the hidden dangers of sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat and tongue and cause blockage of your airway. This interruption can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes and can happen dozens — or even hundreds — of times per night.
How Sleep Apnea Harms Your Health
While snoring is one of the most well-known symptoms of sleep apnea, the consequences of untreated sleep apnea go far beyond disrupted sleep. Here are some of the serious ways sleep apnea can affect your health:
1. Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Sleep apnea puts extra strain on your heart. Every time your breathing stops, your oxygen levels drop, forcing your heart to work harder. This increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
2. Daytime Fatigue and Cognitive Issues
Constant sleep disruptions prevent you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep. This can leave you feeling exhausted during the day, making it harder to concentrate and increasing your risk of accidents at work or while driving.
3. Higher Risk of Diabetes
Studies have shown that sleep apnea can lead to insulin resistance, which increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
4. Mental Health Impacts
Poor sleep quality is closely linked to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Treating sleep apnea can improve your mood, energy levels, and overall mental well-being.
5. Dental Health Problems
As dental professionals, we often see the oral signs of sleep apnea firsthand. Symptoms like teeth grinding (bruxism), dry mouth, and even jaw pain can be linked to sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea not only protects your overall health but can improve your dental health as well.
How Palmetto Smiles Can Help
If you’re experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or waking up gasping for air, it’s important to seek help. At Palmetto Smiles of Beaufort, we offer custom oral appliances along with other treatment plans designed to gently reposition your jaw and keep your airway open while you sleep. These devices are comfortable, portable, and a great alternative to CPAP machines for mild to moderate sleep apnea. There is also an FDA approved appliance that changes the position of the teeth, makes more room in the mouth for the tongue, and can treat up to severe sleep apnea by fixing the problem.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
Sleep apnea is more than just snoring — it’s a serious health condition that can affect every aspect of your life. If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with us today. Together, we can help you achieve better sleep and better health.
Ready to Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep? Contact Palmetto Smiles of Beaufort to learn more about our sleep apnea treatments and schedule your consultation today!
