Signs and Risk Factors That Could Indicate You Have Sleep Apnea

Dentist Blog

The next time you visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam, you should not be surprised if your dentist screens you for sleep apnea. Many dentists now offer sleep apnea screenings and treatment for sleep apnea, and this is because so many people have this condition but do not even know. If you have sleep apnea, you will likely have some of the risk factors and signs. Here are some of those signs.

The top risk factors

Dentists may not screen everyone they see for sleep apnea, but they may screen people that appear to have some of the top risk factors. One of these is age. Young people in their teens normally do not have sleep apnea as this condition tends to affect people older than this more often. Therefore, if you are in your 30s or older, your dentist may screen you.

Additionally, people who are overweight typically have a greater chance of having sleep apnea. If you are overweight, this is a risk factor you should know about. You should also realize that people who struggle with high blood pressure and excessive snoring are also at risk for having sleep apnea.

The top signs of sleep apnea

Another top risk factor and sign that you may have sleep apnea is if you constantly feel tired. If you feel tired all the time, it might be due to the fact that you are not sleeping well, and this is a result of sleep apnea. This sleeping condition will cause you to wake up repeatedly each night while you sleep, and this occurs because your body actually stops breathing. Your brain, however, recognizes when this happens and alerts your heart to start pumping faster and harder. People with this condition may also feel depressed or agitated during the day, and this is often because their bodies are not getting enough rest.

Your dentist may also screen you for sleep apnea if he or she sees any signs in your mouth that could indicate sleep apnea. These signs can include having enlarged tonsils or enamel erosion. People with bruxism may also be screened for sleep apnea as bruxism and sleep apnea tend to go hand in hand.

If you have sleep apnea, it is always better to find out sooner so that you can treat it. Leaving it untreated can lead to a variety of health issues and problems. If you have questions about this, talk to a local dentist such as Jerry C Hu DDS Family Dentistry LLC.

4 February 2019