Indianapolis dentist, Dentist in Indianapolis, IN

Snoring Is No Longer a Laughing Matter

You may wonder why you're reading about snoring on a dental website, but the fact is that as dental professionals, we not only take care of your teeth and gums, we are also here to help you get a good night's sleep! While its the subject of many jokes, it can also be a serious problem. Snoring can not only interrupt your bed partner's sleep (which is no laughing matter to him or her), it is also associated with sleep apnea and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke.

Sleep apnea is a disorder affecting about 18 million Americans that has the potential for serious, and even fatal complications. Persons with sleep apnea actually stop breathing for brief periods of time (usually 10-20 seconds) while asleep. The pauses in breathing can be very frequent and occur 30 times or more per hour. The most common kind of sleep apnea is termed obstructive sleep apnea, and a less common form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea often results in feelings of fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, since the ability to reach deep, restorative sleep stages is impaired. Other warning signs of sleep apnea are often noticed by bed partners and include loud snoring and making snorting or choking sounds at night. Those affected may experience awakening with brief periods of shortness of breath.

The sudden decreases in oxygen levels that occur with sleep apnea place a burden on the cardiovascular system, which must work harder in an attempt to deliver sufficient oxygen to all tissues. This strain causes the development of high blood pressure in approximately half of those suffering from sleep apnea, and this increases the risks of stroke and heart failure.

If you are a snorer or sleep with someone who is, you may be interested in talking to us about a dental appliance that can help keep the noise down and save you life. You owe it to yourself, and partner too, to call us today @ 317-291-7550 to ask us about a custom made appliance that can provide a peaceful solution to your noisy nights and could be covered by your medical insurance.