Every time your breathing pauses at night, your body sounds an alarm you never remember hearing. Left untreated, those repeated alarms may strain your heart, raise your blood pressure, drain your energy, and cloud your thinking, even when you believe you slept all night. The good news is sleep apnea is treatable, and you have more than one way to approach it.
At Serenity Valley Family Dentistry, we help Fargo-Moorhead families breathe and sleep better through sleep dentistry, including oral appliance therapy for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Our team takes a gentle approach and keeps our office warm and calm, so you can talk through your symptoms comfortably. Below, we break down what may happen inside your body when sleep apnea goes untreated and what you can do about it.
How Low Oxygen Strains Your Heart and Blood Vessels
Sleep apnea happens when your breathing stops and restarts many times during sleep, which can lower the oxygen your body receives. Your body may also miss out on the quality sleep it needs to recover. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the constant effort of restarting your breathing may wear on your organs and blood vessels over time.
Risks to Your Heart and Circulation
That strain may raise your risk for atrial fibrillation, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and hard-to-control high blood pressure. Because the pauses happen while you sleep, you may not notice them yourself.
Effects Beyond Your Heart
The same source also links untreated sleep apnea to type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and worsening asthma attacks. The list also includes eye problems and, in older adults, dementia. These are risks rather than certainties, but they are a strong reason to take your nighttime breathing seriously.
Everyday Signs Your Body Is Running on Empty
Poor sleep rarely stays in the bedroom, and the effects often show up during your day. Untreated sleep apnea may lead to signs like these:
- Trouble focusing: Your mind may drift at work, at school, or during conversations
- Memory lapses: Everyday details may slip away more often than they used to
- Poor decisions: Tired thinking can make even simple choices feel harder
- Drowsy driving: Sleepiness can make it harder to pay attention behind the wheel, which may lead to road accidents
Many people blame these signs on stress or a busy schedule. Sometimes, a partner or family member is the first to mention loud snoring or gasping at night. If any of this sounds familiar, it may be time to ask your healthcare provider about a sleep study. You can also read about professional help for snoring to see what options exist.
How Sleep Dentistry May Help You Breathe Easier at Night
Sleep apnea can affect adults, teens, and children of many sizes, and it does not always come with loud snoring. A dental visit can be a helpful place to start a conversation about your sleep. Simple habits, such as sleep position changes for better breathing, may help some people, though they are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is one treatment option we offer for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. A custom-made oral device holds your jaw in a more forward position to help keep your airway open while you sleep. Our post on how oral appliance therapy compares with CPAP walks through the differences, and our overview of how dentists help with sleep apnea explains what to expect. Regular checkups let us confirm your device still fits well and is working for you.
A Team Approach to Your Care
Sleep apnea care often involves more than one provider. Common treatments include CPAP machines and lifestyle changes, and surgery may be considered if those do not work. We keep an open mind about every option, including CPAP, an oral appliance, or both together, and we may coordinate with your physician to find what fits your life. Early conversations with your care team can help you choose a plan you feel comfortable following.
Talk With Serenity Valley Family Dentistry About Better Sleep
Serenity Valley Family Dentistry was founded in 2006, and our mission is to connect with you, guide you, and support your overall health and well-being. We take time with each patient to find the most conservative, long-term treatment, and our holistic approach to care looks at how your sleep, jaw, and overall health fit together. Whether you are noticing the daytime signs above or a family member has mentioned your snoring, we welcome your questions.
If you snore, wake up tired, or have been told you gasp in your sleep, we are here to help you explore your options. Our team welcomes patients from Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and nearby communities. Send us a message through our contact form to schedule a sleep apnea consultation, and let us help you move toward more restful nights.