young couple have problem with man s snoring heterosexual couple bed man sleeps snoring with mouth open while tired woman irritated by snoring sitting bed with pillow her head

Sleep Apnea: What It Is and Why It Matters

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Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. The term “apnea” derives from the Greek word for “without air.” Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing during sleep. This occurs either due to obstruction of your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or because your brain is unable to manage your breathing adequately (central apnea).

The resultant shortage of oxygen triggers a survival reaction that briefly awakens you to begin breathing. This response keeps you alive, but it disrupts your sleep pattern. This impairs restful sleep and has other negative effects, including stressing the heart, which can have potentially fatal implications.

Who is at Risk For Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect people of any age, from newborns and toddlers to older individuals and even senior citizens. The following categories of persons and situations are more likely to be affected by obstructive sleep apnea:

  • males under 50 years of age
  • men and women over 50 years of age
  • being overweight or obese
  • being of certain ethnicities
  • taking opioids
  • having certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure
  • living at high altitudes
  • and more

Note that just because you aren’t in any of the categories listed above, doesn’t mean you can’t get sleep apnea. Only your medical care provider can make a firm diagnosis of sleep apnea. Talk to your Las Cruces, NM dentist to learn more. However, there are some signs and symptoms of sleep apnea that you can be aware of.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Lingering fatigue or tiredness after waking up – Sleep apnea patients may feel exhausted even after a full night of sleep.

Daytime drowsiness – In more extreme instances, this may make you drowsy when working, driving, or engaging in other tasks.

Snoring – Although it doesn’t always happen, this is a common symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can sometimes exist without any snoring at all.

Moodiness – Anxiety and depression are frequent signs of sleep apnea.

Brain function disruption – This includes problems with memory, concentration, or other brain-related problems.

Frequently waking up at night – Due to the fact that most individuals have trouble remembering when or why they wake up, this symptom may be more difficult to detect. Individuals who do this frequently recall waking up for a different cause, such as indigestion or the need to use the restroom.

Pauses in breathing – If you sleep with a partner, they are likely to notice that you stop breathing for increments of time.

Unusual breathing – The characteristic breathing pattern known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing (CSB) can be a symptom of central sleep apnea. Breathing is quick during CSB and becomes shallower until becoming completely nonexistent. A person will stop breathing for a few seconds before beginning again and repeating the process.

Insomnia – Having difficulty falling asleep is a common symptom of sleep apnea.

Suddenly waking up like you’re choking – If you startle awake feeling like you can’t breathe or you’re choking, this could be symptomatic of sleep apnea.

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is directly linked to dangerous conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It’s important to get sleep apnea treated, and also to address any underlying conditions that may be causing sleep apnea.

Your dentist in Las Cruces, NM has a variety of treatment options for sleep apnea. Contact us today to book your appointment.

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How Many Sessions of Teeth Whitening Will I Need?   

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When you think about how many years the stains on your teeth have spent accumulating, it would be easy to think that getting rid of all the red wine, nicotine, coffee, etc. would take some time. You might think that you need multiple sessions over the course of months before you even start to see a difference. The good news is that professional teeth whitening is an efficient process that can make your teeth multiple shades whiter.

How Teeth Become Stained

If you’re looking for teeth whitening services in Las Cruces, NM, it might be because you see quite a bit of build-up on your teeth. In fact, anything that would stain a white shirt can stain your teeth, regardless of whether it’s red pasta sauce or orange soda. (Drinking through a straw can help, but it’s not a cure-all.) Home whitening kits may be able to lighten your teeth a little, but only a professional can give you the big, bright smile that you’re craving.

What You Need to Know About the Process

When you come into the office for your appointment, a qualified dentist in Las Cruces, NM will actually tackle the bonds on the teeth that create the stains. You should only need one session to see dramatic differences, though it’s important to remember that not everyone will have the same results. Teeth whitening will depend on everything from the types of stains on your teeth to your very genetics.

Find a Dentist in Las Cruces

University Family Dental has seen how stains can accumulate over time. It may not be a dental emergency, but it is something that can affect patients nonetheless. If you’ve been hesitant to smile because you’ve noticed that your teeth are taking on a yellow hue, it’s worth scheduling a session.

Most people think of staining as largely cosmetic, but this is not always true. In some cases, there might be internal reasons for the stains, such as trauma, that will need to be taken care of. If you want to learn more about what it will take to lighten your teeth and what type of techniques will be used, contact us to learn more about the treatment.