Denver Dentists on Dental Solutions For Sleep Disorders

Some people think of dentistry and dental solutions as isolated to the mouth. They wonder, how could a dentist help resolve health issues stemming from somewhere other than your teeth? In reality, Denver dentists are able to tackle a variety of health issues with the use of dental appliances. Some of the most pervasive problems that dental appliances target are sleep disorders. With mouth guards and special oral appliances, your Denver dentists can help restore your peaceful nights and relaxed sleep.

You may be wondering what these sleep disorders could be. There are two primary sleeping problems that are resolvable with dental appliances. The first is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Bruxism is primarily unintentional, and the grinder rarely notices that he/she has been grinding. It’s not until the grinder experiences broken teeth, headaches, sore jaws, and restless nights that the bruxism becomes apparent. Your Denver dentists are able to custom make sufferers of bruxism mouth guards to wear while sleeping. Mouth guards prevent tooth surfaces from grinding against one another, and impede the lower jaw’s movement so that night grinding is an impossibility. This preserves enamel, tooth mass, and tooth structure, and prevents grinding-associated headaches and sleeplessness.

Another sleep disorder your Denver dentists hope to eliminate is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a repetitive interruption of breathing during sleep. Those with sleep apnea may stop breathing hundreds of times over the course of a single night’s sleep, keeping the brain from receiving sufficient oxygen. Sleep apnea is very serious and can lead to grave consequences like heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. If you are snoring, waking up repeatedly and violently, or feeling exhausted after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Your Denver dentists are able to make an oral appliance that prevents your airway from closing, allowing for safe breathing and uninterrupted sleep.

The mouth body connection is extensive, allowing your Denver dentists to help strengthen your entire body. Sleep apnea and bruxism are painful disorders with significant consequences, but can be simply treated with basic dental appliances. Concerned you may suffer from a sleep disorder? Schedule a consultation to talk to your Denver dentist about your options. We hope to have you sleeping calmly soon!