Bethesda Center for Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy Blog

Each morning, millions of people wake up, get dressed, and head out the door to work. For some, that commute requires them to drive a vehicle. In some cases, this is no big deal, because they had a good night’s sleep (and maybe even a cup of coffee) and are ready to roll. But for those who suffer from sleep apnea, they may still be groggy or tired, putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. Here’s how “drowsy driving” can cause cognitive impairment, and how treating your sleep disorder could help prevent the unthinkable.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your heart doesn’t necessarily stop during an apnea episode, but it does become more strained. As a result, this sleep disorder can negatively affect your cardiovascular health when left untreated. To learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and your heart, keep reading. You’ll see how a good night’s sleep can make all the difference!

Generally speaking, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA for short) have a significantly higher chance of experiencing sleep problems. In particular, one study published in the journal BMJ Open found that individuals with RA could be 75% more likely to develop sleep apnea. What exactly is the connection between these two seemingly unrelated problems? Below is a closer examination of how your RA could be linked to your sleep-disordered breathing.

Sleep apnea is no longer the difficult-to-understand condition that it once was. Over the past few years, diagnoses of sleep apnea have increased significantly across the country, with around 6 million or so new cases being diagnosed each year. While this rise can be concerning, it also reflects a growing awareness of the condition and improvements in screening methods. Here’s an in-depth look at why sleep apnea seems to be more prominent these days, and how seeking treatment can easily keep the condition’s symptoms at bay.

Have you been waking up in the morning feeling more drained than when you could finally drift off the night before? If so, you might suffer from sleep apnea. This disorder interrupts your breathing while you’re snoozing and can result in snoring, daytime exhaustion, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings.

Many people enjoy a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverages before bed to ease their nerves or try to help them get a more peaceful rest, but unfortunately, they might be doing more harm than good. Continue reading to learn how drinking alcohol affects sleep apnea!

Obstructive sleep apnea is an unfortunately common health condition that leads to frequent sleep interruptions due to disrupted breathing. While it’s best to have this issue treated by a trained sleep dentist, there are a number of ways to address the problem at home, and essential oils have recently become a popular method. Here’s a brief guide to a few potential at-home sleep apnea remedies as well as why you should contact your sleep dentist for help.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull and allows it to make all the motions necessary for speech and chewing. TMJ disorders happen when this joint is unbalanced or out of alignment, and it can result in a range of unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, backaches, and neck pain as well as difficulty eating. While a qualified dentist can treat these issues, it’s still important to get adequate nutrition in the meantime. Here’s a brief guide to a few excellent foods for people with TMJ disorders as well as a few items to avoid.

Does your jaw make unexpected popping or clicking noises? If so, you might be wondering if it’s a harmless quirk or something you should be worried about! Jaw popping and other sounds can be concerning, but they’re actually more common than you might think! Read on to explore what these noises could mean and when it’s time to see your dentist for relief.

When we think of sleep apnea, the image that often comes to mind is of an older, overweight adult struggling with heavy snoring and disrupted sleep. However, sleep apnea is not just an adult condition – children can also suffer from this sleep disorder. Continue reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for pediatric sleep apnea.

Feeling exhausted despite having what felt like a full night of sleep? If you’re puzzled by constant fatigue, it might be time to consult your sleep doctor. Sleep apnea can disrupt rest, leaving you feeling drained and groggy despite spending hours in bed. While a single night of poor sleep is common, ongoing fatigue requires an examination. Keeping a sleep diary can be an invaluable tool in understanding your sleep patterns and aiding in diagnosis. Read on to learn more!