Most of us associate the holiday season with colder weather, rich foods, and, of course, an extended time with family and loved ones. But if we’re being entirely honest, the holidays also bring about a fair amount of stress, and that stress can affect your sleep schedule. 

When it comes to your teeth and airways, they may be taking the brunt of it, manifesting as symptoms such as grinding, clenching, or even sleep apnea. If you’re experiencing end-of-year dental issues, it’s best to identify what you’re dealing with. 

Artaza Dental offers professional options to help pinpoint the cause of sleep disorders/sleep apnea symptoms in Kingsland. Below, we explain common root causes of sleep disorders and sleep apnea during the holiday season.

 Kingsland Sleep Disorders: Why the Holidays Can Worsen Sleep Apnea & More

Some of the reasons that the holidays may worsen the symptoms of sleep disorders/sleep apnea in Kingsland include: 

• Holiday parties and events that disrupt your regular sleep schedule: Later nights, more frequent naps, lack of self-care, and irregular sleep can all disrupt your body’s natural sleep rhythms. As a result, this can manifest as grinding, jaw clenching, and sleep apnea.
• Weight fluctuations as a result of holiday foods: Even small amounts of weight gain during the holidays (or anytime of the year) can increase your body’s airways, restricting them and causing sleep apnea or teeth grinding. 
• Alcohol: Because alcohol is a relaxant, it can loosen throat muscles and airways in your sinus cavities, increasing the likelihood that you may develop sleep apnea. 
• Financial and familial stress: Subconscious stressors can affect us even during sleep. While the holidays are usually filled with good times and great memories, spending money on seasonal food and gifts can hurt your wallet. Additionally, family friction can be a source of stress that affects sleep.
• Travel: Unfamiliar bedding (e.g., pillow shape and mattress firmness) in hotels and guest rooms can cause neck and jaw tension and breathing issues, increasing the risk of teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

Is It Snoring or Sleep Apnea? Kingsland Patients Should Know

Understanding the difference between simple snoring and sleep apnea is essential; sleep apnea can actually stop your breathing during sleep. As a result, sleep apnea can become a serious health issue if left untreated. Here are some of the key differences between snoring and sleep apnea: 

Causes

• Snoring is typically a sound caused by vibrations in the airways during rest.
• Sleep apnea is caused by pauses in breathing due to airway blockages during sleep. 

Symptoms

• Sleep apnea often produces daytime and nighttime symptoms that are noticeable while you’re awake and active, including headaches, daytime fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty focusing.
• Snoring varies in severity and is typically accompanied only by loud breathing during sleep, irritated airways during waking hours, and dry mouth.

Consequences

• Snoring is disruptive to other family members and partners, but it usually doesn’t require professional intervention.
• Sleep apnea is a medical condition that primarily affects only the sufferer and often requires professional treatment.

Minimize the Effects of Alcohol On Sleep Apnea & Teeth Grinding in Kingsland

It’s essential to focus on alcohol as one of the main culprits in the development of sleep disorders/sleep apnea in Kingsland. As noted previously, it’s a muscle relaxant that, while making us more social and talkative, can affect our breathing during sleep. 

And during the holidays, our alcohol consumption tends to go up. Over time, alcohol can become a potent influence on oral and respiratory health. 

Some great ways to limit the effects of Christmas “spirits” include: 

• Limiting alcohol close to bedtime to allow your body time to process it before you fall asleep
• Hydrating with 8 oz of water for every drink you consume to assist in metabolizing alcoholic beverages
• Avoid lying flat on your back after consuming alcohol—use a pillow to gently support your neck and prop your head up during sleep. This sleeping position helps open your airways and your throat. 
• Using a dental guard during the holiday (and all year) to prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching

These tips can help you enjoy the holiday festivities while still minimizing the risks that alcohol poses toward the development of sleep disorders/sleep apnea in Kingsland.

Find Relief From Sleep Apnea & Jaw Clenching in Kingsland

If you’re dealing with teeth grinding, clenching, snoring, or possible sleep apnea, scheduling an appointment with our dentists can help determine whether it’s stress, airway blockages, bite mechanics, or even sleep disruption causing your sleep disorders/sleep apnea symptoms in Kingsland. Our office uses state-of-the-art technology and can assist with everything from implants to veneers and beyond.
Let’s take the next step together—book your session with Artaza Dental now.