Looking in your mouth, as your dentist does, can reveal not only the health of your teeth and gums, but also your propensity towards a sleeping disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
As the name suggests, OSA results from impeded airways during the night, causing interrupted sleep and, in extreme cases, heart disease, diabetes and other disorders. Your smile may be perfect, but your dentist may notice tell-tale signs, such as impressions of your teeth on your tongue, that the muscular mass is too large for your mouth.
– Your dentist may be important for more than just a whiter, brighter smile
– Your dental surgeon looks inside your mouth more often than your doctor
– Carrying too much weight may exacerbate the symptoms of OSA
“The results, published in the Saudi Medical Journal, showed that 23 percent of participants were at risk for OSA, of which nearly 80 percent were male.”
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Trouble sleeping? The size of your tongue and tonsils could be why