Bethesda Center for Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy Blog

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.

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. 

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! 

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.

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. 

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If you have noticed more people are being diagnosed with sleep apnea, you aren’t imagining things. Research has found that 100 million people around the world suffer from sleep apnea; however, it is believed that 80% of cases haven’t been diagnosed. Data published by the American Journal of Epidemiology has found that rates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cases have steadily increased over the past 2 decades, but what’s behind the spike in diagnoses? Here’s what you need to know about the rising cases of OSA and what you can do to safeguard your health.

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Sleep apnea is a common disorder that occurs when the airway becomes repeatedly blocked while you rest causing pauses in breath. People with sleep apnea may stop breathing hundreds of times a night. It is a serious condition that requires professional treatment – but there are also some things you can do to help reduce the severity, including avoiding certain foods that worsen it. Keep reading to find out what they are and what you can eat instead to promote more restful sleep. 

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea or you’re ready to cut ties with your CPAP, an oral appliance is a great solution. The custom-fit device repositions the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. When used nightly, it’s an effective method of treating mild-to-moderate cases of sleep apnea; however, it’s going to take time to adjust to wearing it. Don’t give up after a few nights. Here’s what you need to know to make the transition easier.

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Are you a chronic snorer? Do you wake up feeling more tired than before you went to bed, or do you struggle to stay awake during the day? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you may want to consider visiting a doctor who specializes in this area to find out what is going on. Over time, low-quality sleep can take a real toll on your health. The specialist may recommend a sleep test in a lab to aid in diagnosis – keep reading to find out how to prepare if this is the recommendation for you.