If you are having problems while sleeping, there are chances the solution lies with your dentist. A sleep disorder call sleep apnea has roots in your mouth. Sleep apnea refers to the discomfort and breathing problems that a person experiences while sleeping.

How will you find out if you have sleep apnea? Watch out for the following symptoms:

• Bad taste in the mouth

• Excessive and loud snoring
• Perspiration during sleep
• Insufficient sleep
• Restlessness while sleeping
• Headache on waking up
• Waking up to breathe
• Exhaustion and depression

More often than not, we ignore these symptoms and carry on with our lives. Sleep apnea causes insufficient sleep. This can make you unproductive at work and cause you to become irritable and depressed. It is, therefore, important that you inform your dentist if you notice one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Your dentist will examine you to find out if you have sleep apnea. Don’t panic if you have been diagnose with the disorder. Sleep apnea is caused by a misalignment of the jaw. Your dentist has the solution to rectify the problem.

Now, it is also important that you don’t treat every case of insomnia as sleep apnea. When you go to your dentist, make sure you tell him/her about each and every symptom you have noticed.

And yes, don’t curse your partner/spouse is you find him/her snoring and disturbing your sleep. He/she may just need a visit to the dentist.

Keep watching this space for more information about dental and oral health.

Happy smiling!

Tags: sleep disorder