If you’ve never snored or dealt with a snoring partner, consider yourself lucky. But according to findings from the National Sleep Foundation, snoring is more common than you may think. Around 50% of Americans snore at one point or another and roughly 33% of men and 25% of women snore every night. Snoring is so common it’s often considered just an annoying habit, but it can also be a primary sign of sleep apnea. Fortunately, Red Bank Dentistry has an easy way of diagnosing the problem and helping to reverse it. But why should you consider a sleep apnea treatment to stop snoring?

 Snoring Is Linked to Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke

Snoring can occur regardless of someone’s personal size or weight issues. But heavy or obstructed sleep apnea-related snoring and obesity do tend to go hand-in-hand. Medical studies have thus discovered that sleep-disordered breathing is also linked to cardiovascular disease. What’s even more concerning is strokes are especially common with heavy snoring.

 Snoring Can Result in Headaches and Migraines

You may plan to get a full 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but if you snore or sleep beside a snorer, you’re likely not getting anywhere near that much. Snoring causes the body to jolt awake. While you may get light sleep, heavy snoring keeps the brain from re-entering the REM cycle. That often results in waking up tired, grouchy, and suffering from sleep-related headaches and migraines.

Snoring Can Lead to Relationship Problems

Snoring not only affects the person who does it, but it can also lead to relationship problems. Snoring leads to extra restlessness, irritability, and frustration when one partner knows why they can’t sleep. That can seep into other aspects of the relationship, affecting intimacy and leading to an eventual breakup. According to one nationwide survey, almost 50% of married American adults would consider “sleep divorce” due to their partner’s snoring habits. It’s a lot cheaper and far less painful just opting for sleep apnea treatment.

 Snoring Can Affect Your Livelihood

 Heavy sleep apnea-related snoring won’t just potentially harm your health and relationships. It can also affect your livelihood. Your body needs sleep to heal and recover. If you don’t get enough sleep at night, your body will crave it during other times of the day. Snorers tend to have more car accidents because they suffer from daytime exhaustion. Moodiness and lack of concentration can also lead to poor work performance. Adding a few extra cups of coffee may temporarily mask the effects but it could make matters even worse.

A CPAP Machine Isn’t Always Necessary

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine involves a facial mask and hoses that fit over the face as you sleep to provide constant oxygen circulation. The treatment works wonders for many suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. However, the idea of wearing such a device can lead to anxiety and avoidance of the problem altogether. Fortunately, a CPAP machine is not the only solution for heavy snoring. According to industry reports, there are more than 80 different sleep apnea treatment devices currently on the market. Many of those can treat the problem with simple mandibular or tongue repositioning. Contact Red Bank Dentistry today to diagnose the cause of your snoring and stop it once and for all.

Sleep apnea affects up to 22 million Americans in one of its three main forms: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, or complex sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the tongue closes the airway. In central sleep apnea, the airway is free, but the brain refuses to signal the muscles to allow breathing. And complex sleep apnea combines both situations. In all forms of apnea, the brain attempts to at least partially trigger breathing after a minimal break. Up to 25% of children, including infants, suffer from pediatric sleep apnea as well. If ignored too long, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications including diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Of course, the right treatment can reverse all concerns. But what are some warning signs of sleep apnea?

Dry Mouth in the Morning

 Xerostomia is the medical term for the sensation of dry mouth. This can be caused or due to a number of issues including medications, vitamin deficiencies, and serious health issues. But more often, dry mouth is due to sleeping with your mouth open. While there may be various reasons for that sleep apnea is among the most common. When you have trouble getting enough air during sleeping hours, the mouth opens in response. So waking up parched may be a sign of sleep apnea.

Painful or Stiff Teeth and Jaw

Bruxism is the term for grinding your teeth and it’s usually brought on by stress. Teeth grinding can occur at any time, but it’s most prevalent during sleeping hours. It also becomes habitual quickly. When teeth grinding is combined with other apnea signs, the condition is likely due to the apnea. If you have stress, strain, stiffness or pain in the teeth and jaw and it’s not for an obvious reason, chances are you grind your teeth. Fortunately, your Red Bank dentist has some simple and effective solutions for bruxism. But taking away that sign isn’t a cure for sleep apnea.

You’re Always Tired or Continuously Yawning

The human body needs REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep to refresh and renew. But breathing fluctuations cause the body to be forced into a lighter stage of sleeping so it can remind the muscles to work correctly. When this happens regularly, the result is often grogginess and irritability. However, changes in appetite and difficulty concentrating may also occur. Your alarm clock may show “proof” you got your full eight hours of beauty rest, but if you’re yawning and tired most of the day, chances are you haven’t gotten close to that amount.

You’re a Loud or Noisy Sleeper

Snoring is often the most obvious sign of sleep apnea, but not all snoring is equal. However, if your snoring is loud, jagged, and seems to have a “sawing” edge, it may be apnea-related. This snoring may become loud enough to wake you up or it may cause relationship issues as it continually wakes up your partner. Even if you don’t snore, loud or regular gasping during sleeping hours may occur as your body remembers to breathe. These common warning signs of sleep apnea should be taken seriously, but a simple and effective cure could be as close as your Red Bank dentist. Give us a call when you’re ready to sleep easier.