How Are You Sleeping?
Most people don’t think about their sleep habits when they visit the dentist, but you can bet that your dentist does. Did you know Dr. Tomase treats sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea? Because the quality of your sleep is so closely linked to your oral health, many dentists also help patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Keep reading to learn more about it.
Why Do We Care About Your Sleep?
The short answer is that we care about you. A sleep disorder can disrupt your life and have major health consequences. The signs of sleep problems show up in your mouth, and Dr. Tomase is trained to recognize them. He can tell if you are a mouth breather, you snore, or you likely have sleep apnea just by examining your teeth and mouth. If he suspects you have an issue affecting your sleep quality, he’ll ask questions to find out more and point you in the right direction to get a diagnosis.
Sleep Apnea Is Serious
While snoring may seem cute or just annoying, it often points to a deeper problem, like sleep apnea. A person with sleep apnea wakes up multiple times because they stop breathing while they are asleep. If it sounds dramatic, that’s because it is. When you stop breathing, your body is not getting oxygen. Over time, the effects accumulate and manifest as physical problems and illnesses. You may also experience cognitive issues, mood swings, and daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea is linked to increased instances of
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Gum disease
- Pregnancy complications
- Depression and anxiety
In children, sleep apnea is associated with higher instances of ADHD and behavioral problems.
Get Treatment ASAP
If you suspect you have a sleep disorder or you think your partner or child does, please talk to us. We can refer you to a sleep medicine specialist to get tested and properly diagnosed. Once you have a diagnosis, we can then discuss treatment. For many people, a simple oral appliance helps. We offer several options to accommodate different sleep disorders. The goal is to get you breathing consistently so you can get good-quality, uninterrupted sleep every night and wake up completely refreshed and energized every day.
Please contact our office located in Toledo, OH to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tomase if you would like to discuss sleep apnea treatment or if you are due for a dental examination. We look forward to seeing you soon!
