Bethesda Center for Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy Blog

Have you been feeling chronically fatigued throughout the day regardless of how much rest you got the night before? If so, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. This condition pauses and restarts your breathing at night which interrupts your sleep cycles. When this happens consistently, it can influence your body, mind, and emotions in addition to your oral health.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with the symptoms forever. There are several ways you can combat the effects of sleep apnea. For example, it’s commonly believed that sleeping in a reclined position can help alleviate symptoms. If you’re curious to know more, keep reading to learn about how this can help!

Pregnancy is a miracle of life for a healthy couple looking to start a family. However, there are sometimes complications that arise as the mother-to-be sees an increase in hormone levels across her body. One of the many effects of these shifting hormones is sleep disruption, especially sleep apnea. But how does this condition affect mothers and babies?

Keep reading to learn more about the condition and how your dentist may be able to help.

Every night, sleep apnea disturbs the sleep of numerous patients all around the world—but did you know that it affects more than just sleep? Believe it or not, it can cause a patient all sorts of grief! Continue reading below to learn more from your trusted sleep dentist about sleep apnea and how if left untreated, it can lead to some pretty serious health issues that affect far more than your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

If you suffer from a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, life isn’t always easy. You can experience recurring jaw pain. Your joint can click, pop, or grate when opening and closing your mouth. In some situations, your jaw may even lock into one position. Although symptoms can come and go, they aren’t anything to ignore. It’s best to contact a TMJ specialist. Here are just a few of the risks associated with untreated TMJ disorders.

(more…)

Breathing is a pretty fundamental aspect of our lives, yet it’s also something we often take for granted. We’re often unaware of the way we breathe, whether it’s through our nose or mouth—but did you know that being mindful of your breathing habits can actually have a profound impact on your overall well-being? Keep reading to learn a little more from your trusted sleep dentist about some of the differences between nasal breathing vs. mouth breathing, along with how SomniFix, a unique sleep aid, can help to optimize your breathing during sleep and contribute to better-quality rest.  

Getting enough good quality sleep is essential to your health. Unfortunately, having constructive sleep apnea can greatly impact your ability to do this. This medical condition is when a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway causes breathing interruptions while sleeping. It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea and that 80% of people are not even aware they have it. Even worse, it can cause many health issues, even with your brain. Read on to learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and brain health…and how your dentist can help!

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!

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.