Comical though it may be in certain situations, snoring can be a real strain on your relationship in real life. If you snore loudly and consistently, irritation can fester and grow as your partner continues to lose sleep in the midst of the noise. If snoring is indicative of obstructive sleep apnea, then the problems can grow exponentially as you, too, experience the effects of sleep deprivation, even though you’re not aware of your sleep disorder. Visiting your Des Moines dentist may not be the first solution that comes to your mind when you’re seeking help with your snoring problem, but Dr. Burds has extensive experience helping patients stop snoring, stop losing sleep, and start enjoying life again by treating their obstructive sleep apnea.
When is a Snore More than a Snore?
Obstructive sleep apnea describes a condition where your airway closes and your breathing ceases when you’re sleeping. The muscles and tissues in your mouth and throat relax as you sleep, and when excessive tissues compress tightly together, they can shut your airway. The sound of snoring occurs as air tries to struggle past the enclosing oral tissues, causing them to vibrate violently. After about ten seconds of oxygen deprivation, your brain panics and wakes your body to start breathing again.
A few seconds may not seem significant, especially since they don’t wake you, but this cycle can repeat itself hundreds of times in a single night, robbing your mind and body of the deep, R.E.M. (Rapid-Eye-Movement) stage of sleep required for them to rejuvenate. Eventually, sleep deprivation will begin to affect your daily life, leading to daytime fatigue, easy irritability, inability to concentrate, and other reduced mental and motor skills.
Enjoy the Rest You Deserve with Help from Your Des Moines Dentist
In many cases, Dr. Burds may recommend a custom-designed sleepguard designed to hold your lower jaw slightly forward, preventing your oral tissues from closing your airway. If you or your partner has trouble snoring and you’d like to learn your options for treating it, or to determine if sleep apnea is an issue, contact us today. You can schedule an appointment with your Des Moines dentist by calling Gateway Dental Group at (515) 244-9565. Located in the 50309 area, we proudly welcome patients from Des Moines, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.