“So, are you snoring at night?” Why would your dentist ask you that you’re wondering? Simple, because as medical professionals you see twice a year (cleanings) they often can spot potentially life-threatening issues before you see your GP.
Our particular dentist, Doctor Gould, is not your average practitioner either. As the author of ‘The Perfect Smile’, and host of a podcast series, “Get Your Smile On”, (available on his site and SoundCloud) he’s well versed in many subjects and is constantly on the cutting edge of new research.
As the good doctor makes clear in his podcast, because you’re a snorer, doesn’t necessarily mean you have sleep apnea, technically called ‘Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)’ — which is characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. When people with OSA fall asleep, they can stop breathing for a few seconds to a minute or more. So don’t panic – you may just be a simple snorer, but if your dentist recommends you see a sleep specialist take their advice, because apnea can be potentially life-threatening, including a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, certain cancers and even sudden death.
NEWS FLASH: Doctor Gould will be writing a regular column on “whole-listic” health, as well as uncovering the cause of many of the new “Modern Diseases” facing western societies today, including cancer and obesity. Stay tuned.