Could Your Dentist Help You Sleep Better?

Snoring and teeth grinding are two of the most common habits that occur during nighttime sleep. Since they both involve your mouth, they can both be addressed by your dentist. Our Carrollton office has a dentist who is qualified to treat all aspects of your dental health, including the concerns you have while you are awake, as well as those that occur during your sleep. If you suffer from load snoring, sleep apnea episodes, teeth grinding, or jaw clenching while you are trying to catch some zzzz’s, there are ways to help. Dr. Kakade offers methods to protect your smile, your overall health and your quality of sleep!

Sleeping is a time for your body to restore itself. However, if you have sleep apnea or grind your teeth throughout the night, you may wake up with damaging consequences instead of revitalized rest. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep condition that is often marked by loud snoring or sudden gasps for air. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissue in the throat collapses and blocks the airway during sleep which stops breathing. While the snoring is certainly disruptive, the health consequences are quite threatening as well. Patients may encounter daytime sleepiness and headaches as well as high blood pressure, depression and much more.

What is Dental Sleep Medicine?

Dental sleep medicine involves treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. It often means that the patient will wear a custom oral appliance that is designed to set the jaw in a proper position to open the airway and prevent snoring and sleep apnea episodes. This means you’ll not only sleep quieter, but your brain will get adequate oxygen supply throughout the night. Successful dental sleep medicine leads to a better sleep during the night and a healthier body during the day.

Oral appliance therapy can also be used to protect your smile from bruxism, or teeth grinding. Teeth grinders often suffer from tension headaches, TMJ disorder and worn down teeth. A custom oral appliance (or mouthguard) can be a perfect remedy for your subconscious grinding or clenching.

Do you have oral sleep habits that are causing harm to your health or lowering your quality of life? Whether it is yourself or your snoring bed partner, we can help you at our Carrollton office. Schedule your dental sleep medicine consult with Dr. Tejal Kakade today.