Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station VA
Do you ever wake up gasping for air, or has your sleeping partner told you that you snore loudly and sometimes seem to stop breathing at night? If so, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a dangerous sleeping condition characterized by snoring and frequent pauses in breathing during the night. When throat muscles relax at night, OSA causes the soft tissue to collapse, blocking or restricting the airway.
But snoring isn’t the only tell-tale sign of OSA. Today, our sleep apnea dentist in Fairfax is sharing some of the most common symptoms of OSA … and how our dental practice can help.
Grinding or clenching teeth
Grinding or clenching teeth at night, also called bruxism, can wear down teeth, weakening the enamel which can lead to chipped or cracked teeth. While this can be a sign of stress and anxiety, you could also be suffering from an undiagnosed case of OSA. Potential contributors: being overweight, smoking or a misaligned bite.
Dry mouth
If you wake up with a dry mouth and/or sore throat, you may have OSA. People who snore often sleep with their mouths open, causing dry mouth and throat irritation.
Daytime fatigue
While a person with OSA doesn’t remember waking up multiple times in the night, the body feels it the next day. When a person stops breathing at night, the brain responds by waking the body up to resume breathing. This disrupts the restorative stages of sleep. While you may feel you’re getting a full night’s sleep, the simple truth is that you’re not. And you’ll be tired during the day because of it.
Headaches
If you wake up with a headache, it could be because of the lack of oxygen your brain is receiving during the night. Without proper oxygen, blood vessels widen, which can lead to vascular headaches.
Anxiety
People who suffer from a lack of sleep may turn to heavily caffeinated drinks or “shots” during the day. These sugar-laden beverages may provide a quick lift, but it’s often followed by a crash. Energy drinks or even coffee later in the evening can increase anxiety levels, which disturbs sleep patterns even more.
Treatment
Our airway dentist near Burke, VA can generally treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, which involves a custom-made device that looks like a mouthguard. Our dental team prefers this method of treatment over a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. CPAP machines are known to be cumbersome, noisy and difficult to clean, and users also often complain that the masks are uncomfortable to wear at night. Many of our patients have stopped snoring by taking advantage of oral appliance therapy.
Sleep apnea treatment in Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station Virginia
Sleep apnea isn’t simply disturbed sleep. It is accompanied by many unwanted symptoms and can also lead to serious health conditions like diabetes, acid reflux, tooth loss, heart disease, high blood pressure and gum disease. If you’re experiencing any of the described OSA symptoms, or if you know you snore at night, call Dr. Marzban at (703) 323-8200 to schedule a consultation today. Our sleep apnea dentist can make a diagnosis after a sleep study to set you on the path to a better night’s sleep and a better overall quality of life.
