The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease

November 30, 2015

How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?

As a general dentist in Sun Prairie, WI and an advocate for healthy teeth and gums, Dr. Robert Stevens wants to promote awareness about some hidden dangers of gum disease and sleep apnea. Long known for its ability to destroy healthy smiles and dreams, gum disease is one condition that does not need much of an introduction. It does however, need to be discussed to make everyone more aware of how it can lead to the development of sleep apnea, a condition that is potentially life-threatening.

Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease

Sleep apnea is a very common condition that affects millions of people. Many people often confuse some of its symptoms as normal. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact your dentist to learn more about gum disease dangers and how they pertain to you.

Signs you may have sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
• Pain in the neck or surrounding area
• Daytime drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches

These symptoms along with gum disease can cause one to experience great distress and discomfort. The key to successful sleep apnea treatment is to see a dentist so they can treat the underlying condition, gum disease. Gum disease is not something that goes away on its own. It requires special and ongoing treatment. Once treatment has been administered, sleep apnea treatment can begin.

There are several ways that sleep apnea can be treated. Under the supervision of a dentist, you may be encouraged to:

• Modify your lifestyle
• Lose weight
• Improve your oral health
• Use medicine
• Use a CPAP device
• Undergo oral surgery

There is no shame in having sleep apnea or gum disease. Invest in your health so you can get treated as soon as possible.

Stop greeting the world with a compromised smile and lack of sleep. Contact our General, Family, and Cosmetic Dentistry at (208) 375-5656 to make an appointment with Dr. Stevens for a proper diagnosis and treatment, so you can live life the way you want.

Comments

comments

Related Articles

• When To Replace Your Porcelain Veneers

  Comments comments

• These Symptoms May Indicate That You Have Sleep Apnea

  Adequate sleep is essential for good mental and physical health, but what if you have a condition that keeps you from getting the rest you need each night? Sleep apnea is a very real and very common condition that affects more than 100 million people worldwide. Here’s what you should know about the sleep disorder […]

• Signs That It Is Not Just Harmless Snoring

  There are many people who snore while sleeping, and this tends to be more of a nuisance for partners than a serious medical condition. However, sometimes snoring goes beyond annoyance and tends to indicate a more serious problem. If you suspect something more than just harmless snoring, you or your significant other could be suffering […]

• Dangerous Side Effects of Sleep Apnea

  Sleep apnea is a serious condition that occurs when the airway is blocked while a person is sleeping. There are different types of apnea – some of which are caused by the brain simply not sending signals, and others caused by blockage of the airway from the tongue or throat closing. The good news is […]

• Do You Have Sleep Apnea? Learn to Spot Common Symptoms

  Sleep apnea is a serious condition with long-term health consequences, and many people who have it don’t even realize that it’s a problem. That’s because many of the symptoms of this disorder present themselves as sleep problems that go along with the stresses of modern life. A lot of patients who could benefit from treatment […]

• The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  Sleep apnea in Fishers, IN is a sneaky condition that often goes undetected by those who have it. Since many of the most obvious symptoms (including snoring and gasping for air) occur at night while the affected person is sleeping, they are easy to overlook. Chronic sleep deprivation eventually causes daytime symptoms as well, so […]

• Summertime and Sleep Apnea Effects

  Summer means longer days, more pollen in the air, and temperature changes that can make days up to forty degrees warmer than nights sometimes. All these factors can affect sleep disorders, especially serious ones like sleep apnea. When that happens, symptoms tend to escalate, and patients who are not currently being treated for the disorder […]

• Men’s Health Month: Talk About Sleep Apnea

  June is an important month for many reasons. The weather hits its sunny stride and families start heading out on vacation during the break from school. June also happens to be Men’s Health Month, and Dr. Patrick Cieplak and our staff at Cieplak Dental Excellence in La Plata, MD feel it is important to address a […]

• All You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea

  Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. Unfortunately, many cases remain undiagnosed and people find they are tired all day even after a full night’s sleep. At the Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to helping every patient live his or her best […]

• How TMJ Affects Your Oral Health

  Your temporomandibular joint serves as a sliding hinge that connects the skull to your jawbone. Disorders can develop within this joint, often referred to as TMJ, which cause chronic pain. These disorders can be the result of a physical injury or frequently grinding the teeth. Our experienced dentist, Dr. Tilman Richards, can treat this disorder […]