Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is more common than some people realize. In fact, many people who have it don’t know, and therefore, don’t know that they should seek help from their dentist to treat it. However, over time, the sleep disorder can have several effects on your daily life and wellbeing that make it obvious something is wrong. Fortunately, patients in Grand Prairie, TX, who have sleep apnea can often a comfortable and convenient solution in the form of a custom-designed sleep appliance.
Your snoring becomes unbearable
OSA is caused by oral and throat tissues clogging your airway while you sleep, but the obstruction isn’t immediate. As the tissues collapse into your airway, the constriction causes your breath to become louder, resulting in increasingly louder snoring. This may not only disturb your sleeping partner, but also make it more difficult for you to receive the air you need while you sleep.
You get exhausted faster
When you have sleep apnea, the repeated interruptions to your breathing make it impossible to fall into deep levels of sleep. This means you may never receive the proper rest your mind and body deserve. Each night that your sleep apnea goes untreated, you can become more and more exhausted the next day due to unrealized sleep deprivation.
You get sick easier
The less quality sleep you receive, the less able your body is to function properly. That includes your immune system especially, and when your immune system is weak, your body can’t fight off common illness like the cold and flu. The longer sleep apnea is left untreated, the more likely you are to become sick and experience more serious chronic health risks.
Sleep Better with a Custom Appliance
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, then you can alleviate it and make your life easier with a custom-designed sleep appliance. For more information, schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
