It’s a common misconception that orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic. The truth is, braces and Invisalign can correct a number of conditions. Teeth misalignment can have a variety of negative effects on your body, causing pain, excessive wear, bacteria growth, and more. By straightening out teeth, many issues can be greatly improved.
In fact, properly aligned teeth may help you sleep better by improving conditions such as sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Those who don’t have sleep apnea may think it’s a technical term for people who snore aggressively. The truth is, it’s much more serious.
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing becomes shallow while they sleep. In some cases, it might stop altogether. Those with severe sleep apnea can experience pauses for ten seconds or more. When it happens, they’ll make a loud snoring or choking sound as their body tries to breathe again.
This can happen over 30 times in a single hour.
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when a person’s airway collapses or becomes blocked by their tongue. A less common form is central sleep apnea. This happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to your breathing muscles. Central sleep apnea is typically tied to medical conditions or medications.
Regardless of what type of sleep apnea you have, the end result is the same: poor sleeping, exhaustion, and general discomfort. It can even be life-threatening for those with high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes.
Because sleep apnea happens when you’re asleep, some people aren’t even aware they have it.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Help with Sleep Apnea?
Most types of sleep apnea stem from the general shape and flow of your mouth and breathing passageways. Braces, of course, help align your teeth and jaw and can open up the airways for easier breathing. Because of this, treatment from braces can actually help lessen the severity of sleep apnea.
If you think you have sleep apnea, you should first see a medical doctor for diagnosis and treatment options.
Whether you have sleep apnea or not, you can still enjoy the numerous benefits that come with properly aligned teeth. For orthodontics in Springfield, Bellefontaine, or Beavercreek, Ohio, contact Dhingra Orthodontics today!
