Depending on your genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices you have, and your overall health, you may be at a greater risk for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea arises when breathing patterns while you sleep are interrupted. Although snoring is well known amongst individuals with sleep apnea, not all patients who snore have sleep apnea.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it may be due to risk factors in your life. There are some risk factors in which you have no control over including your genetics and your gender. Men over the age of 40 are most likely to develop sleep apnea. Additional risks for sleep apnea include large tonsils, an oversized tongue, a family history of sleep apnea, a deviated septum, weight issues, allergies or sinus problems, and frequent nasal obstructions.
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated. Mixing up the way you sleep can often help lower your risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This means avoiding sleeping on your back. There are also devices that exist to help you breathe while you sleep, including oral appliances which can shift and support your jaw. In addition, CPAPs, also known as continuous positive air pressure devices, can open up your airway while you sleep. If necessary, surgery can also be used to help eliminate symptoms of sleep apnea.
To learn more about which sleep apnea treatments you would prefer for enhancing your smile, contact Craniofacial Pain Center Of Colorado at 303.421.2696. Come visit Dr. James Bieneman and our team at our dentist office in Arvada, Colorado by scheduling an appointment at your earliest opportunity.
