Do you commonly wake up with headaches first thing in the morning?
Chronic headaches can be difficult to cope with and often interfere with your daily life. What many patients do not realize is that their headaches may be the result of dental health concerns that may be treatable. If you experience regularly occurring headaches, especially first thing when you wake up, be sure to tell your dentist during your next routine exam.
Headaches are a common symptom of teeth grinding and sleep apnea. Boise, ID LIFESmiles provide comprehensive oral health exams that include treatments for complex issues such as sleep apnea and bruxism.
Sleep Apnea and Headaches
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep. The muscles or soft tissue in the back of the throat collapse and block the airway limiting the flow of oxygen to the brain and body. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea commonly snore loudly or wake to gasp for air multiple times throughout the night.
The lack of oxygen flow to the brain causes headaches and increases the patient’s risk of many other systemic health issues. Patients who do not treat sleep apnea are more likely to develop cardiovascular issues and are at a higher risk for depression, diabetes, and strokes.
LIFESmiles offers oral sleep appliance therapy for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Discreet, comfortable and easy to wear, oral appliances allow patients to breathe without obstruction for a full nights rest.
Headaches and Bruxism
Bruxism or teeth grinding is a habit that can begin in early development. Patients grind their upper and lower jaw together repeatedly, typically while asleep. Teeth grinding often goes undiagnosed until the habit begins damaging the structure of the teeth or function of the jaw.
Bruxism is commonly an underlying cause for TMD a complex issue that affects the health and comfort of the delicate jaw joint. Preventing the jaw from grinding can allow the jaw to rest and the muscles may be able to heal. A custom mouth guard can be fabricated by your dentist and worn during sleep to alleviate headaches associated with teeth grinding.