Our readers are invited to email us with their questions!
Q: I get so much sleep at night. Upwards of 10 hours when I really commit- but I still wake up tired. What gives??(George B.)
A: Hello George!?
If you have sleep apnea you may wake 50 or more times per hour during the night.
This is equivalent to waking up almost every minute.
The awakenings are called micro-arousals and can be from 1-3 seconds long, and you have no memory of them. The micro-arousals allow enough waking to restore muscle tone to your upper airway so you can breathe.
Unfortunately all those awakenings prevent you from reaching the deeper and more restful sleep so it matters little how many hours you are in bed. The best solution is to get help from a sleep expert so that you can find ways to breathe through the night, and get some of that restful and restorative deep sleep.
"Sleep Apnea Frequently Asked Questions"?Dear Doctor - Dentistry & Oral Health, accessed November 18, 2020,
https://www.deardoctor.com/articles/sleep-apnea-faqs/
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Q:?How do I find a dentist who knows about Sleep Disorders and can make an oral appliance to help treat one? (Sarah?P.)
A: Hi Sarah!
Not all dentists are trained in this field or even have interest in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Your own dentist may have some experience with oral appliances but it is best to ask how much experience and training he/she may have.
One of the best independent resources to look up is the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) at www.aadsm.org and see if one of their more than 2,000 dentists is listed in your neighborhood.
Another dental group to investigate is the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (www.aaop.org). Another approach is to ask your physician for a referral for a doctor, likewise trained in Sleep Medicine. Before committing to treatment, investigate whether your dentist or even a Sleep Medicine trained dentist has experience and the necessary qualifications.
"Sleep Apnea Frequently Asked Questions"?Dear Doctor - Dentistry & Oral Health, accessed November 18, 2020,
https://www.deardoctor.com/articles/sleep-apnea-faqs/
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