March 18 is World Sleep Day, and while no one does anything special to mark this occasion, it is a good opportunity to remind you of the importance of quality sleep.

You may be wondering why a dental practice is writing about this on its blog. We offer treatments for sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and car accidents.

Today, we want to share things you should know.

Not Breathing is Stressful

When you have sleep apnea, you can stop breathing dozens or hundreds of times each night depending on the severity of your condition. This puts your body in a state of stress, which could explain your elevated blood pressure.

Poor Sleep Equals Sleep Deprivation

When you stop breathing, your body will wake you up. This often is so brief that you don’t remember it, but it also means you rarely reach the stages of deep sleep. Without deep sleep, you feel sleep-deprived. That can leave you feeling irritable and fatigued and interfere will your ability to focus on a task (which is why people with sleep apnea are more likely to be in car accidents).

An Oral Appliance Can Help

Typically, CPAP machines have been the first option for treating sleep apnea. Unfortunately, many people give up on using their CPAP within a year. That’s why an oral appliance, which we can make for you, can be invaluable in treating your condition.

This appliance can keep your airways open, allowing you to breathe easier, which means you stay asleep long enough to achieve deep, healthy sleep. This also can prevent snoring, which your loved ones will appreciate, too.

Talk to one of our doctors to discuss our snoring and sleep apnea solution. Call Carmichael Dental Care at 334-600-1423 to schedule an appointment in Montgomery, AL. You also can request an appointment online.