Surprising Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

/0 Comments/in /by

Sleep apnea is a common condition, and many people who have it don’t know that they do. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly assume they are safe from this condition if they don’t feel like they snore. While snoring is a common sign, there are other signs worth noting, including these surprising ones.

1. Waking up with a Headache

If you wake up with a morning headache on a regular basis, you may have sleep apnea. Lack of oxygen during the night can make your head throb and ache. Always rule out other causes of this issue, but if it persists, then consider a visit to the dentist in Alabaster, AL, for sleep apnea testing.

2. Dry Mouth

If you wake regularly due to a dry mouth, then you may have obstructive sleep apnea. The snoring associated with the condition can cause your mouth to dry out when you sleep. While this isn’t necessarily a direct cause, if you notice this symptom and suspect you may have sleep apnea, it’s worth talking to your doctor.

3. Irritability

If you’re suffering mood changes and overall irritability without another clear cause, then consider sleep apnea. The frequent slight wakeups can mean you aren’t getting truly restful sleep. Lack of rest can impact your mood and make it difficult to feel like your normal self, and Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry may be able to help.

4. Daytime Sleepiness

If you find that you’re always sleepy or feel like you never quite get enough rest, it may be because you aren’t sleeping properly. Sleep apnea robs your body of oxygen and proper rest. The end result will be feeling run down and tired all day long.

Sleep apnea can be more than just snoring, and it’s not something to take lightly. If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, then it’s time to book an appointment with Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry, your dentist in Alabaster, AL. Schedule an appointment today to discuss sleep apnea testing and treatment.

Three Unexpected Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

/0 Comments/in /by

Most people immediately think “snoring” when they hear the term “sleep apnea.” And, yes; long, loud, stubborn fits of snoring are the top signs of sleep apnea. They irritate your partner, and you wake up exhausted, no matter how many hours you tossed and turned in bed. So, if snoring or any of these other problems make your life difficult, ask your healthcare provider for a sleep study. With a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your Alabaster, AL dentist at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help by designing a customized sleep apnea mouthguard to help you breathe overnight.

1. Gasping and Choking

In addition to hard snoring, your partner might say that you make scary gasping or choking sounds, too. When sleep apnea blocks your breathing, your brain may jolt you awake just enough to move you and roll over to open it back up. When the airway opens up again, you may make shuddering gasps or choking sounds that sound truly dreadful!

2. The Bed is a Total Mess in the Morning

Your brain wants to keep you alive. So, if your airway closes, your brain will trigger you to roll over or change positions to reopen the airway. If this happens a lot, you may wake up in the morning to a twisted mess of sheets and blankets. Either that, or your partner kept pushing or telling you to roll over to get the incessant snoring to stop.

3. Morning Headaches and Dry Mouth

Thanks to your brain, you are still alive! But since your brain was working hard to keep you alive all night, you may wake up with frequent morning headaches. You might also find that you have a dry mouth because you were trying to get more air by breathing through your mouth.

Dental Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea

Some people also have oral anatomy that increases their risk for sleep apnea, and this is something your dentist in Alabaster, AL can check for. Some of these risk factors include:

  • A wide neck
  • A narrow palate
  • Crowded teeth
  • An overly large tongue
  • Excessively large tonsils

Visit the Dentist Alabaster, AL Neighbors Rely on for Sleep Apnea Mouthguards

Sleep apnea isn’t just inconvenient and annoying; it’s dangerous for your health. It can even worsen your risk of other serious diseases because it prevents you from getting the sleep your body and mind need to repair damage and rejuvenate. Here at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry, we can fit you with a custom sleep apnea mouthguard to keep you breathing and sleeping deeply all night long. Schedule an appointment today!

 5 Myths About Sleep Apnea to Know

/0 Comments/in /by

Sleep apnea is nothing to underestimate. It’s a serious condition that should be seen to by a dentist in Alabaster, AL that specializes in this dangerous condition. You don’t want to ignore it, because there can be dire consequences if you don’t seek treatment. Here are five common myths about sleep apnea and the truths behind them.

Myth 1: Only Overweight People Get Sleep Apnea

While excess weight is a risk factor, sleep apnea can affect people of all sizes and ages; even children. Genetics, neck structure, nasal congestion and other anatomical factors can also play a role.

Myth 2: Snoring Always Means Sleep Apnea

Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but not all snorers have the condition. Likewise, some people with sleep apnea don’t snore at all. A proper evaluation is the only way to know for sure.

Myth 3: Sleep Apnea Is Just a Snoring Problem

Sleep apnea is far more serious than snoring. It involves repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risk of stroke.

Myth 4: CPAP Is the Only Treatment

While CPAP machines are a common treatment, they’re not the only option. Dentists trained in sleep medicine can provide custom oral appliances that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open—an effective and more comfortable alternative for many patients.

Myth 5: It’s Not a Big Deal if You Don’t Sleep Well

Poor sleep from untreated apnea affects your physical and mental health over time. If you wake up tired, have morning headaches, or struggle to stay alert during the day, it’s worth getting screened.

What might work for you is a dental sleep apnea appliance in Alabaster, AL. Why not contact us today and get a professional diagnosis and expedient treatment?

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Bruxism?

/0 Comments/in /by

If you ever wake up tired with a sore jaw and/or sensitive teeth, you might have several conditions you probably wouldn’t guess are related. You probably also wouldn’t think to talk with your dentist in Alabaster, AL, about these issues. However, your dentist is the one person who can help resolve both issues because they are probably related.

Curious? Keep reading…

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Bruxism?

Yes. Believe it or not, there’s a strong connection between sleep apnea and bruxism. Bruxism in Alabaster, AL, is just the medical term for teeth grinding.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism (teeth grinding) is the involuntary grinding or clenching of your teeth. Bruxism can occur while you are awake or asleep.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea in Alabaster, AL, is when you continually stop and start breathing while you’re sleeping. Sleep apnea is caused by an obstructed airway or improper signals to your brain.

The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Bruxism

It is believed that when your airway is blocked while you’re sleeping, your body will respond by clenching your jaw in an attempt to reopen your airway.

How a Dentist Can Help Your Sleep Apnea and Bruxism

Your dentist has specialized training that enables them to recognize that one condition might be causing the other. They also have the ability to treat them both. Each condition is treated differently when diagnosed as a singular condition. However, if one condition is leading to the other, your dentist might suggest a combination of treatments. For example, you might need custom mouthguards, oral appliances, lifestyle adjustments, and anything else the dentist recommends.

Do You Need a Reputable Dentist in Alabaster, AL?

If you think you might have sleep apnea, bruxism, or both, please Contact Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation and exam. We offer a full suite of dental and sleep apnea services. Don’t wait another day (or night) to get the relief you deserve. Help is just a phone call away!

Signs of Sleep Apnea 

/0 Comments/in /by

Snoring is an annoying problem for many individuals, especially if they share a bedroom with another person, but sometimes it’s a sign of an underlying health condition. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing, then startle partially awake while you’re asleep. This condition causes serious health risks, including cardiovascular risk, and should not be ignored. Here are some signs that the Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry team wants you to watch that indicate you may be dealing with sleep apnea.

Excessive Snoring

If you snore excessively, enough that it is causing your partner to stay awake, then you might have sleep apnea. While there can be other causes of snoring, it’s a good idea to get a sleep study done if you have this issue.

Gasping While Sleeping

If your partner indicates they hear you gasping while you sleep, then you want to get a sleep study done to rule out sleep apnea. This is often a sign that you’re not breathing correctly while you sleep.

Waking up Tired

Finally, if you sleep for 7-8 hours and still wake up feeling exhausted, you may get little quality sleep. Sleep apnea can be the underlying cause. Again, a sleep study will show you why you wake up tired.

Sleep apnea has many potential causes, but it is a serious health issue. If you’re struggling with this condition or suspect that you may have it, schedule an appointment with Albritto and Ardovino Family Dentistry, your Alabaster dental team, to get an evaluation. With their help, you can sleep soundly again, and even with less snoring.

Beyond Obesity – Common Additional Causes of Sleep Apnea

/0 Comments/in /by

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. People with sleep apnea will snore loudly and may wake up feeling tired, even after sleeping all night. While many people suffer from sleep apnea due to obesity, there are other causes of this condition. The Alabaster dentist at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help you get relief so you feel rested every morning. Here are the causes of sleep apnea that you should know.

Anatomical Problems

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, allowing the soft palate to close your throat. Your brain then realizes you aren’t getting enough oxygen, waking you up so you can reposition and start breathing properly again. Though obesity can cause obstructive sleep apnea, it can also occur due to a small lower jaw or overall positioning of the mouth, regardless of weight. These types of anatomical problems have little to do with weight but still cause the condition.

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can contribute to sleep apnea problems, particularly if it is chronic. If you’re chronically congested due to anatomical issues or seasonal allergies, you may develop sleep apnea as a result.

Using Sedatives or Tranquilizers

Sleep aids can relax the muscles in the throat. This makes your risk of obstructive sleep apena worse, parituclalry if you are already at a high risk.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions seem to correlate with sleep apnea. These include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Hormonal disorders

Poor Brain Signals

Central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that has a neurologic cause. This type occurs when the brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that cause breathing while you sleep. You may stop breathing because your brain isn’t telling your body to breathe.

If you need sleep apnea treatment in Alabaster, reach out to our team to schedule an appointment today.

How Can My Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea?

/0 Comments/in /by

Do you snore? If you do, then you’re likely suffering from sleep apnea, a condition that causes sleep disruption due to irregular breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can disrupt the sufferer and their spouse or sleep partner. More than that, sleep apnea can also be dangerous because it is a condition that disrupts breathing. Fortunately, your dentist in Alabaster, AL, may be able to help.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when breathing stops and starts while sleeping. There are different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the tongue collapses against the palate during sleep. This causes the airway to be blocked. Signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Irritability
  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping during sleep
  • Dry mouth in the morning upon waking
  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Difficulty focusing

How Can the Dentist Help?

For many patients, obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that can be managed with dental appliances that prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. Your dentist can help you by fitting you with an appliance that’s custom-made for your mouth.

While some dental appliances (called night guards) are sold in pharmacies, these appliances are not always comfortable or as effective as custom-made appliances.

Contact Your Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment Today

Could you benefit from a dental sleep apnea appliance in Alabaster, AL? The professionals at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help. We’re experienced in providing the type of care patients need for obstructive sleep apnea. We also provide dental sleep apnea appliances. Call today to make an appointment and learn more.

What Are The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

/0 Comments/in /by

Sleep apnea is a serious condition where a person does not breathe consistently during sleep. Because sleep apnea can be a sign of an underlying health problem and the cause of serious health conditions, it’s imperative to seek help from your dentist in Alabaster, AL, as an early diagnosis is key to recovery success. You and your loved ones and/or sleep partner should be aware of sleep apnea symptoms. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Fatigue

Sleep apnea interrupts the cycle of sleep, where your body gets deep rest. This results in persistent fatigue after waking, even when you think you got a full night’s sleep. You may feel groggy, sluggish, or have a headache throughout the day.

Startling Awake

Since the airway isn’t pushing oxygen through, you may startle awake with the sensation that you can’t breathe. In fact, this is your body’s response to oxygen deprivation. Upon waking, it may take you several seconds to catch your breath.

Loud, Disruptive Snoring

Air vibration causes this as it flows over soft tissue in the throat. A throat obstruction may actually cause sleep apnea or at least contribute to it. Your Alabaster, AL dentist can perform an exam to see if any obstruction is visible.

Cessation of Breathing

Sometimes a sleep partner is the first to detect that sleep apnea may occur. A person with sleep apnea may be breathing deeply, suddenly stopping for a few seconds, and then starting up again. This is a classic symptom of sleep apnea and means you should seek professional help earlier rather than later.

Treatment For Sleep Apnea

Treatment for sleep apnea in Alabaster, AL, is available from your dentist at Albritton & Ardovino. Contact us today to learn about how we diagnose and treat this serious condition.

Does Snoring Always Mean Sleep Apnea?

/0 Comments/in /by

If you’re concerned about sleep apnea, you may be worried if you notice that you or your partner snores. Snoring is one indicator of sleep apnea, but it isn’t the only symptom, as your dentist in Alabaster, AL, can explain. It’s possible for a person to snore while sleeping without sleep apnea being present. While snoring may disrupt sleep, it’s not always something to worry about.

What Causes Snoring?
Snoring results from the vibration of muscles in the back of the throat. During sleep, this muscle tissue relaxes. As air passes through from respiration, the tissue may vibrate. A person may snore occasionally from being congested, consuming too much alcohol, or even falling asleep in certain awkward positions.

How Sleep Apnea Differs From Occasional Snoring
The word “apnea” means “breathless.” Sleep apnea refers to interrupted breathing during sleep, where a person stops breathing for seconds at a time. The duration of the absence of breathing varies among individuals, but it should never be ignored.

Unlike occasional snoring, chronic sleep apnea may prevent needed oxygen from entering the body and brain, resulting in a problematic and potentially dangerous situation. A common sign of sleep apnea is when a person startles awake, usually with the sensation of choking or feeling that they can’t get a breath.

In summary, snoring may be occasional due to certain temporary conditions. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is the result of a consistent, problematic situation. A blocked airway may cause it due to obesity or muscle tissue.

Sleep apnea should not be ignored and needs to be treated. If you do need sleep apnea treatment in Alabaster, AL, you can get it at Albritton & Ardovino Family Dentistry. Contact us today to book an exam to learn more.

Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Yourdentist in Alabaster, AL, is a valuable first line of defense against sleep apnea since they routinely inspect the mouth and throat area during dental exams. One of the most common questions that patients ask their dentist is whether sleep apnea is genetic.

Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?
Many scientific studies have been done to determine the causes of sleep apnea. It’s been found that, while the actual condition may not be directly inherited, there are certain genetic conditions that can increase the likelihood of a person inheriting this condition. What this means is, if you have inherited certain conditions, you may have a higher chance of developing sleep apnea sometime during your lifetime.

What Genetic Conditions Can Lead to Sleep Apnea?
One form of sleep apnea, called obstructive sleep apnea, occurs as a direct result of obesity. Obesity can be brought on by several factors, including diabetes. So, if you have a family member with diabetes, with or without obesity, you may be at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. In fact, it’s estimated that those who are obese have ten times more likelihood of experiencing sleep apnea.

The anatomy of the face can contribute to sleep apnea, too. Since the bone structure and general face anatomy are most certainly inherited, if you have a relative with sleep apnea, especially one that you resemble, you may have a larger chance of getting sleep apnea, too.

The general breathing process—how you breathe and how often—also impacts sleep apnea. Your internal organs are also formed through a close genetic link. Therefore, it can be concluded that if you have a relative with sleep apnea, you should consult with your dentist.

Talk to your dentist aboutsleep apnea in Alabaster, AL so that you can be screened and treated. Contact us today to book your appointment.