Did you know your dentist may be able to recognize signs of sleep apnea? Our Surrey and Langley dentist sometimes sees obvious symptoms and may be able to recommend you see your physician.
If you dread mornings because you wake up feeling cranky and unrefreshed, it may be more than a case of Monday morning blues. You may have sleep apnea, and dentists are often the first to see signs of this serious sleep disorder.
This condition causes repeated interruptions in breathing while a person sleeps. The pauses may be caused by a physical blockage of airflow, a lack of respiratory effort, or a combination of the two. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes and may happen 30 or more times in just one hour.
Which signs of sleep apnea do dentists often notice?
Your dentist may be the first stop on your journey to finding out whether you have sleep apnea. Here are some signs of sleep apnea your dentist may notice:
- Worn tooth surfaces
- Teeth grinding (bruxism), which can cause wear and breakage
- Inflamed or receding gums
- Spike in cavities due to damage to teeth from grinding
- Tongue with scalloped edges
- Redness in throat (caused by excessive snoring)
Other symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) include gasping or choking while trying to sleep, loud snoring, waking frequently during the night, dry mouth when waking, night sweats, high blood pressure and morning headaches.
As you might imagine, these symptoms can cause sleep quality to deteriorate and sufferers to feel fatigued during the day. Sleep apnea is also linked to an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.
How can my dentist help?
While dentists cannot diagnose sleep apnea, they are often one of the first people who can tell whether you have a greater risk of developing it, since your jaws and associated structures can contribute to OSA. You are also likely to see your dentist more often than your doctor. Your dentist can refer you to a physician for a follow-up assessment.
If the sleep apnea is caused by a physical blockage of airflow, the sufferer will be diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This form of sleep apnea is the most common form of the condition.
Your dentist can perform a dental exam and take X-rays of your mouth and neck, which may reveal abnormally large tissues in the throat or another blockage in the airway.