Bethesda Center for Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy Blog
Gift Your Partner a Good Night’s Sleep for Valentine’s Day!
January 31, 2023
Does your partner suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? It’s a common disorder that causes breathing to stop repeatedly throughout the night. One of the hallmark symptoms is chronic snoring, which can keep you from getting much-needed sleep as well. Fortunately, continuous airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for the disorder. If your partner uses or could benefit from CPAP therapy, there are gift ideas that would be a perfect addition to their life. Read on to learn from a sleep apnea dentist how you both can get a good night’s sleep on Valentine’s Day and beyond!
(more…)Why Are Celebrities Talking About Sleep Apnea?
November 22, 2022
You’ve probably seen many of your favorite celebrities talking about their struggles with sleep apnea, like Rosie O’Donnell, William Shatner, and Reggie White. While it might seem like cases of sleep apnea are on the rise, the growing number of diagnoses is attributed to better public awareness. Celebrities are sharing their stories to encourage people with symptoms of sleep apnea to seek help from a medical professional because 80% of cases aren’t diagnosed. A bad night’s rest isn’t the only complication of sleep apnea. You could face potentially life-threatening health risks. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of untreated sleep apnea.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Gum Disease?
November 12, 2022
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your physician discussed the risks of not treating the condition, like heart disease, sleep deprivation, and depression; however, those aren’t the only dangers. According to a study published by the Sleep Research Society, sleep apnea can increase your risk of gum disease, which is linked to tooth loss and several health concerns. Although sleep apnea and gum disease are two very different conditions, here’s what you need to know about their connection to keep your mouth and body healthy.
How is Sleep Apnea Connected to Depression?
October 17, 2022
Depression is a distressingly common mental disorder that affects around one in every 20 adults around the world. The condition has many possible risk factors, and studies suggest that one potentially major contributor is sleep apnea. How can a sleep disorder be related to depression? And what can you do to address both problems? Here’s what you need to know.
(more…)Can Sleep Apnea Be Hereditary?
September 2, 2022
Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea; and sadly, many more cases go completely undiagnosed! But your sleep isn’t all that’s at stake if you’re dealing with this condition, and you’re at an increased risk for numerous other health issues if things are left to progress. But did you know that among the various factors that contribute to sleep apnea, some of them are linked with your genes? Here’s more from your sleep dentist about this connection along with some ways that you can lower your risk.
(more…)How Sleep Deprivation Can Lead to Intrusive or Unwanted Thoughts
August 15, 2022
Sleep deprivation can be caused by a number of things, from something temporary like stress at work all the way to a chronic condition like sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea are missing out on crucial rest every night due to an obstruction in the airway that causes the sufferer to repeatedly wake to resume breathing.
(more…)Alcohol and Sleep Apnea – the Recipe for a Groggy Morning
If you have sleep apnea, the condition that causes you to wake up without even realizing it multiple times in the night due to an obstruction in the airway, there are a few things you need to be aware of. First: seeking treatment is crucial for regaining your restful night’s sleep. Second: there are things you may be doing to make sleep apnea worse – like drinking alcohol. Keep reading to learn about the connection between alcohol and sleep apnea and steps you can take to get a better night of sleep!
(more…)8 Essential Oils for Sleep Apnea
July 24, 2022
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you understand the importance of getting a good night’s rest. A CPAP or oral appliance can keep your airway open to stop pauses in breathing, but is there more you could be doing? Although they aren’t a substitute for traditional sleep apnea therapy, here are 8 essential oils that can help you breathe easier, so you can sleep better.
Why You Should Ask a Dentist for TMJ Treatment
July 13, 2022
Lately, your jaw has been hurting nonstop, and you’re beginning to think it might be caused by a TMJ disorder. Who do you call for help? Your first thought may be to get in touch with your regular physician, but in many cases, calling your dentist may be your best choice. While dentists are mainly known for working on teeth, they’re also in a unique position to diagnose and even treat TMJ disorders; the following post explores the kind of help they can offer for patients with chronic jaw pain.
(more…)5 Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
June 29, 2022
Did you know obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more than just snoring? It’s a symptom of a serious breathing disorder. OSA is a condition that causes frequent disturbances in breathing from an obstruction in the upper airway. The soft tissues in the back of the mouth or throat collapse when sleeping. The narrowed air passage causes loud vibrations when air passes over the tissues, resulting in loud, chronic snoring. Unfortunately, that’s not the only concern. Your body is deprived of oxygen every time you stop breathing. You can develop several life-threatening issues without any treatment. Here are 5 dangers of OSA you can avoid with sleep apnea therapy.