If you’re a snorer and are suffering from daylight sleepiness, you might be suffering from the dangerous sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnoea. This is a condition in which breathing pauses hundreds of times during the night – which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
Obstructive apnea can be caused by structures such as an enlarged tongue and tonsils. And your dentist might be just the right doctor to see the signs of sleep apnoea.
– Indentations on your tongue are signs of sleep apnea, and caused by a large tongue.
– Large tonsils and obesity are two of the most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea.
– Your dentist can’t treat you for sleep apnoea, but he can form a tentative diagnosis and refer you to a specialist.
“Dentists see into their patient’s mouths more than physicians do and the signs are easy to identify.”
Read the full article here:
Trouble sleeping? The size of your tongue and tonsils could be why
Dr Nicholas Riley BDS 1996, MJDF 2012Nik qualified from Cardiff Dental School in 1996. He has always had a keen interest in clinical excellence, and further education. He recently gained his MJDF qualifications Nik dedicates much of his time to attending many world renowned courses in restorative, aesthetic and implant dentistry, so he can ensure that patients benefit from the most up to date solutions.
