While Invisalign has become one of the most popular orthodontic treatments among patients in recent years (with over 6 million people seeking out its associated benefits), there is still a great number of people who opt-out of using Invisalign or any other helpful treatment because they believe that orthodontic care is purely cosmetic. But in more cases, this notion couldn’t be further from the truth.
When a patient is recommended orthodontic care, rarely is it “only cosmetic.” But since it does get an amazing cosmetic result, people often forgot there are plenty of important health-based reasons to straighten your teeth. Here are a few of those reasons.
Benefits of Orthodontics: Preventing Sleep Apnea
For many people, obstructive sleep apnea is the end of a long process beginning before birth. But as it turns out, taking steps to straighten your teeth help relieve some of the associated symptoms. When you choose to get braces, you’re improving your bite and jaw. This ensures that you have a healthy airway, which leads to less obstruction, irritation, and snoring.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring, and many people who snore loudly or frequently suffer from sleep apnea to one extent or another. Not everyone who snores does have the sleep disorder, though.
While sleep apnea itself is rarely (if ever) fatal, it has several undesirable side effects and some of these are serious. The disorder can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Repeated heart attacks
- Repeated heart failures
- Repeated strokes
- Depression
The cardiovascular issues that occur with sleep apnea are most common in individuals who are already suffering or predisposed to these problems. Sleep apnea doesn’t necessarily cause these issues, but it can exacerbate any cardiovascular problems that are already present.
Additionally, people who have sleep apnea are frequently tires even when they get an adequate number of hours of sleep. Since their sleep is continually interrupted, they’re unable to get sufficient deep and result sleep. To a lesser extent, partners may also be tired if snoring keeps them up.