How to Get Better Sleep When You  Experience Sleep Apnea Symptoms

For some people, no matter how many healthy sleep habits they practice, they
still experience poor quality sleep and wake up tired. If you’re still having trouble
sleeping after implementing near perfect sleep hygiene, it’s likely you have a
sleep disorder.

The Link Between Sleep Apnea & Teeth Grinding

The study reveals that more than 58% of Indians believe their work suffers due to
lack of adequate sleep whereas 38% have witnessed a colleague falling asleep at
work. “Food habits, lack of exercise, irregular sleep and varying working styles
are basic reasons for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the throat
muscles obstruct the airways and nasal passageways, causing you to stop
breathing for periods of time during the night.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea & Teeth
Grinding in Adults

If you’re frequently waking up with headaches, earaches, tired, tight jaw muscles,
or sensitive teeth, you are most likely grinding your teeth at night. Bruxism can
also show up in worn down teeth and changes in the shape of your teeth.
Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is slightly harder to detect. Some common signs
of sleep apnea include:
Snoring loudly
Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep and have excessive daytime
sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Trouble staying asleep (insomnia)Waking up with a dry mouth, sore throat or headache
Sometimes waking up gasping or with shortness of breath
Waking up often to use the bathroom
Attention, concentration, and memory problems
Heightened irritability and mood swings



Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea & Teeth
Grinding in Children

Children also experience symptoms of sleep apnea and bruxism. Interestingly, a
lot of these symptoms are similar to the symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as difficulty with learning, poor attention span,
and poor performance at school. Some other signs to look out for include:Snoring
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Heavy mouth breathing, both while awake and asleep
Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep
Bedwetting

Risks of Continued Sleep Apnea & Teeth Grinding

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other serious health issues including type
2 diabetes, acid reflux, poor immune function, mental health issues, memory loss
and increased risk of stroke or heart failure.
Apart from the symptoms of painful and tired jaws, headaches, and sensitive
teeth, nighttime teeth grinding can break, loosen, or wear down teeth, enamel,
crowns and fillings overtime.
The good news is there are several remedies you can try to help cure sleep apnea
and teeth grinding, and in turn improving your sleep quality.

Tips for Eliminating Bruxism & Sleep Apnea for
Improved Sleep Quality

A lot of these symptoms can be alleviated through simple lifestyle changes.
These include:

Manage stress levels (bruxism especially is a response to stress and
anxiety).
Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight (obesity increases the
likelihood of airway obstruction and narrowed nasal passages).
Try yoga (improves respiratory strength and oxygen flow).
Limit alcohol intake. (Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles, which leads to
snoring and interrupted sleep cycle, as well as contributes to inflammation
of your airways, blocking your breathing).Quite smoking. (Tobacco causes inflammation and swelling in your
throat).
Change your sleeping position. (Sleeping on your back relaxes the throat
muscles, thus restricting airflow).
Use a humidifier (especially if you live in a dry climate).
Improve sleep hygiene:
Reserve the bedroom for sleep only.
Keep a consistent sleep schedule, going to sleep and waking up at
the same times every day (even on weekends).
Avoid caffeine after noon.
Avoid blue light from screens at least one hour before bed.
Try not eating at least 2-3 hours before bed.
Keep your room dark and the temperature cool.
Exercise daily.
Practice a relaxing bedtime routine.



If these lifestyle changes don’t improve your sleep, some common treatments for
bruxism and sleep apnea include medication, surgery, or use of oral appliances
to reposition your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Getting fitted for a custom night dental guard can protect the teeth against
grinding and assist with jaws alignment.Try implementing these remedies to improve sleep quality, as well as working
with your dentist (or pediatric dentist for your children) to discuss your
symptoms and find a solution that works best for you.
Visit Focus Dental Services to discuss your options and get started on a path to
better sleep.

Information Sources By: Focus Dental Pvt. Ltd.

Book Appointment: www.focusdentalindia.com

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