Common signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking at night, and excessive daytime sleepiness; however, some people experience less obvious symptoms that a sleep apnea dentist in Sugar Land, TX can help identify.
Nighttime Signs of Disturbed Sleep
You or your sleep partner might notice:
- Loud, chronic snoring (though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea)
- Breathing pauses during sleep that last 10 seconds or longer
- Gasping, choking, or snorting sounds as breathing resumes
- Frequent waking during the night
- Restless sleep with tossing and turning
- Night sweats
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
Daytime Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea affects your waking hours significantly:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue despite a "full night's sleep"
- Morning headaches (especially at the front of the head)
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Irritability, mood changes, or depression
- Waking with dry mouth or sore throat
- Decreased libido
Sleep Apnea Symptoms Your Dentist Might Notice
During your exam, our dentists might notice the following indicators of sleep apnea:
- Worn, flattened teeth from grinding (bruxism)
- Scalloped edges on your tongue
- Small or recessed jaw affecting the airway space
- Narrow dental arches
- Large tongue relative to mouth size
- Inflamed throat tissue
Why These Symptoms Matter
If you recognize several of these symptoms, an airway screening at our Sugar Land, TX, dental office can determine whether a sleep study is indicated. Contact us at (281) 494-9191 to schedule a consultation appointment to see how we can help.