What You Need to Know about Sleep Disorders

If you’ve been having problems sleeping, your mind is probably racing, trying to find the reason why so you can put an end to it, right? There are many reasons you might be having a hard time sleeping. And believe it or not, your dentist might just be the one who can help stop it.

Let’s go over sleep disorders for a moment. Then, we’ll talk about how your dentist in Alabaster, AL, might be able to help.

What Causes Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders can be caused by any number of issues. They can be caused by medical conditions (asthma, heart disease), mental conditions (depression, anxiety), genetic factors, medication side effects, and even oral disorders like TMJ, sleep apnea, and unbalanced bites.

The Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

There are several symptoms that indicate you might have a sleep disorder.

Nighttime Symptoms:

It takes you longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
You have trouble staying asleep.
Snoring, choking, or gasping while sleeping.
Your body feels like it needs to move while you’re relaxing.
You feel like you cannot move once you wake up.

Daytime Symptoms:

You feel sleepy during the day and sometimes fall asleep while doing routine things.
You have a hard time focusing.
You experience frequent falls or other accidents.
You are moody and irritable.
Your performance of daily tasks begins to suffer, and you have a hard time meeting deadlines.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Ideally, how much sleep you need depends on your age group. Adults between the ages of 26 and 64 should get about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Senior adults over the age of 65 can get away with 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

If you don’t get enough sleep, you could end up with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and/or dementia.

How a Dentist Can Help with Your Sleep Disorder

A dentist can help with many sleep disorders in Alabaster, AL, such as sleep apnea, snoring, TMJ, etc. Dental sleep issues can be treated with oral appliances and other options that your dentist will discuss with you based on your situation.

Are You Looking for a Sleep Dentist in Alabaster, AL?

If you want to get a proper diagnosis for your sleep disorder, please Contact Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness today to schedule a consultation and exam. We understand the importance of a good night’s sleep and will do everything in our power to help get your sleep cycles back to normal so you can go on living again!