10 Warning Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed because its most obvious signs happen while you are asleep. Yet untreated sleep apnea can affect your energy, mood, and long-term health. 

At Soft Touch Dentistry, Dr. Nazila Bidabadi brings her Harvard-level expertise to patients in Brighton and Newton, MA. She works alongside Dr. Jacqueline Jacobson, an experienced endodontist, and Dr. Mingfang Su, a highly trained periodontist. 

Together, they help people recognize and manage conditions like sleep apnea.

Common Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can look different from person to person, which is why many people mistake it for simple snoring or poor sleep habits. Paying attention to the patterns in your sleep and how you feel during the day can reveal important clues. Here are some of the most common warning signs to watch for:

1. Loud, chronic snoring: While occasional snoring can be harmless, frequent and loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea.
2. Gasping or choking during sleep: If your partner notices you suddenly struggling for breath, it may point to an airway blockage.
3. Pauses in breathing: Sleep apnea often causes brief breathing interruptions that another person can sometimes witness.
4. Morning headaches: Waking up with a headache may be related to reduced oxygen levels overnight.
5. Excessive daytime fatigue: Even after a full night in bed, untreated sleep apnea can leave you feeling drained.
6. Difficulty concentrating: Poor sleep can make focusing at work or school more difficult.
7. Irritability or mood changes: Interrupted rest often leads to short temper or mood swings.
8. Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning: Mouth breathing caused by airway obstruction can leave you uncomfortable when you wake.
9. Restless sleep: Tossing and turning through the night may be linked to your body trying to reopen blocked airways.
10. High blood pressure: Ongoing sleep apnea may raise your risk for hypertension and heart problems.

How a Dentist Can Help

Many people are surprised to learn that a dentist can treat sleep apnea. At Soft Touch Dentistry, we use oral appliance therapy to keep your airway open while you sleep. This small, custom-made device repositions your jaw, helping reduce snoring and nighttime breathing interruptions. For many patients, it is a comfortable alternative to a CPAP machine.

Start Sleeping Soundly Again

Untreated sleep apnea can affect more than just your sleep. With help from Dr. Bidabadi and her experienced team at Soft Touch Dentistry, you can move toward better rest and a healthier future. 

Reach us in Brighton at 617-782-9250 or Newton at 617-332-8146 to arrange a consultation.