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The problem with sleep apnea, a very common sleep disorder, is that it can affect your health and daily well-being before you even realize that you have a disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea, referred to as OSA, involves the obstruction of breathing while you are sleeping. As OSA episodes can repeat themselves multiple times a night, it make it impossible for you to reach deep, restful levels of sleep. Without reaching depths of restorative sleep, your mind and body can be kept from resting and you can be left increasingly more tired every day. Your dentist can help you to treat sleep apnea to get the restful sleep needed to regain energy and improve your overall health.

How Sleep Apnea Leaves You Tired

During a sleep apnea episode, your oral and throat tissues obstruct your airway until oxygen can no longer pass through. This cessation of breathing can force your body and brain to wake up enough to make you start breathing again. It could sound like snoring with frequent gasps for air, as the episodes can repeat themselves over and over again. Because you are sleeping, it can often go unnoticed or be enough to wake you up enough that you remember in the morning. You may think you are getting a solid eight or so hours of good sleep, but your body and brain may never able to get a good amount of rest.

Custom Treatment May Help

Along with leaving you in a constant state of drowsiness, obstructive sleep apnea can increase your risks of developing heart disease, stroke, obesity, and more health conditions. Your dentist can help you to treat OSA, by creating a custom-designed oral appliance, or nightguard, for you. The appliance can support your jaw to help prevent your oral tissues from collapsing into your airway. A sleep appliance can help you to reach the important, restorative levels of sleep.

Do You Often Feel Sleepy?

Sleep apnea can lead to tiredness and other health risks. To schedule an appointment, call Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.