Is your partner usually nudging you a few times throughout the night, telling you to quit snoring? Do you ever wake up randomly and toss and turn for the rest of the night? You wonder, “Will I ever wake up fully energized and rested?” You may be dealing with a sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea. You’re not alone. Lots of adults are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep daily because of it. Dr. James T. Gray, your dentist in Arlington, is here to help you and your partner. Together, we can lift this burden of interrupted sleep, helping your family get their lives back on track.

A Dangerous Disorder: Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have pauses in breathing or very shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses can last from just a few seconds all the way to minutes, which is a huge risk for your health. Your breathing pattern can stop and start anywhere from 20 to 30 times in just one hour, typically starting again with a loud snort or choking sound. The biggest risk factors associated with sleep apnea are breathing cessation (interruptions) and the sleep deprivation that follows that disruption.

Sleep deprivation takes a huge toll on the overall quality of your life. You are constantly tired and most likely cranky. The emotional toll becomes evident and makes the simplest tasks difficult to focus on. Your increased irritability will eventually affect your relationships with the loved ones around you.

Common Symptoms

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. But, just because you snore doesn’t mean you necessarily have sleep apnea. It is important to visit your dentist if you are having difficulties sleeping and/or snoring. If you experience any of these symptoms, please reach out to our office:

• Frequent snoring
• Silent pauses in breathing
• Choking or gasping sounds
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty focusing
• Decreased sex drive
• Irritability

A Sleep Apnea Solution from Dr. Gray

You may not think to call your dentist if you’re experiencing sleep apnea in Arlington, but Dr. Gray and his team provide a comfortable, portable sleep apnea solution. Our office creates custom oral appliances that gently shift the jaw forward. This places pressure on the throat muscles, holding them open and unobstructed. This allows our patients to breathe normally.

By using a custom oral appliance to open your airways, your quality of life will improve. You can truly feel a great difference when you get a full night’s rest. I’m sure your family will see a difference, too! Contact our team to find our more or schedule a sleep apnea consultation.