You need sleep to keep your body and your mind sharp and alert. You need quality sleep to get refreshed physical and mentally. Sleep deprivation – whether it’s from poor sleep or no sleep – is more common than you realize.
We live in a 24/7 world where the natural rhythms of sleep get disrupted by technology, working opposite our natural circadian rhythms, and higher stress and anxiety levels. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body and brain take the hits.
Sleep deprivation increases your risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It also weakens your immune system, which makes you more prone to viral infections.
Not getting enough or good sleep also affects your brain. The brain sweeps away toxins when you’re getting the right kind of sleep. If these toxins don’t get swept away, they accumulate and can cause you to develop dementia in the future.
Dr. Timothy E. Mickiewicz can help you get better sleep all the time. Some of the most common sleep issues are related to dental issues. Dr. Mickiewicz is passionate about sleep medicine, because he is passionate about people.
Do you snore?
If you snore, you’ve got a lot of company among your fellow Americans. It is estimated that nearly one-third of us snore. Of that number, up to 45 million may have a sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
When you have OSA, throughout the night, you temporarily stop breathing. This causes you to gasp for air and wakes you up. Because these episodes are so brief, you may not be aware of how much you’re waking up while you sleep.
Dr. Mickiewicz has the experience to find out whether you just snore or you have sleep apnea. If you snore because of sleep apnea, then he can successfully treat it to give you a better night’s sleep.
What symptoms will I notice if I have sleep apnea?
Since you probably don’t know that you are continuously waking up during the night because you can’t breathe, you probably don’t know that you have sleep apnea. Some of the symptoms include:
- Excessive fatigue when you’re awake
- Headaches when you wake up
- Fuzzy focus and memory
- Wide awake suddenly while you’re sleeping
You may also have anecdotal evidence of sleep apnea from your partner who notices that you have breathing pauses when you’re asleep. These are symptoms you should take seriously.
Why would I see a dentist for snoring or sleep apnea?
It might seem odd that you’d see the dentist if you snore or have sleep apnea. You might think all he does is provide oral health care like doing cleanings, filling cavities, or making your smile as beautiful as possible.
Dr. Mickiewicz provides all those dental services and more. However, his knowledge and experience make him an expert on the jaw and how the mouth works. Because of this, he can treat the physical causes that make you snore.
How will the dentist treat my sleep apnea?
There are many ways to treat sleep apnea, but oral appliance therapy is one of the most effective treatments. A custom-fitted mandibular advancement device (MAD) is an example of oral appliance therapy.
A MAD moves your top and bottom jaw incrementally forward to open your airway. This prevents you from snoring and having sleep apnea.
What can I expect with a MAD?
If you’ve played contact sports, then you’ve worn a mouth guard to protect your teeth. A MAD looks similar to a sports mouth guard, so it’s easy to use. It’s also portable and can be used anywhere.
You may initially experience some discomfort from wearing a MAD. However, this is temporary and should not stop you from wearing your MAD. It will be worth it.
See a Sleep Dentist in Sacramento, CA
Dr. Mickiewicz and his dental team have a philosophy that champions patient empowerment and patient participation in oral health care and physical care. Dr. Mickiewicz is passionate about improving your sleep using conservative and effective therapy. Contact us today at (916) 469-9178 to schedule your first appointment on the road to better sleep.
