{"id":497,"date":"2021-06-17T13:11:46","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T13:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cranbrookdentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=497"},"modified":"2021-06-17T13:11:46","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T13:11:46","slug":"dangers-drowsy-driving-how-dentist-can-help-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theimplantdentist.com\/blog\/dangers-drowsy-driving-how-dentist-can-help-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of Drowsy Driving (and How Your Dentist Can Help)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Even after getting a full night\u2019s sleep, you can barely pry your eyes open as you get ready for work. You make a second cup of coffee, hoping the warm beverage will breathe some life into you. As you commute to work, you find yourself nodding off, despite blaring your favorite music on the stereo. A loud horn from the car next to you jolts you awake, and you realize how close to disaster you were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Situations like this are far too common. In this year alone, 103 million Americans have fallen asleep at the wheel! If you\u2019re part of that statistic, you may have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea<\/a>. Continue reading to learn the dangers of drowsy driving, signs that you might have sleep apnea, and how your dentist can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous Is Drowsy Driving?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that drowsy driving can have deadly consequences. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation has stated that tiredness can hinder driving performance just as much (if not even more so) than alcohol. According to the American Automobile Association, more than 16% of fatal car accidents are the result of drowsy driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the consequences become gravely serious, it\u2019s crucial that you seek medical treatment if you feel chronically fatigued no matter how long you sleep.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs That You Might Have Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common sleep disorders, sleep apnea is caused by tissues in the mouth or throat collapsing and preventing you from berthing properly. Your body then wakes you up gasping for air. While you might not remember these episodes, they can happen dozens or hundreds of times a night. You never achieve the deep sleep you need to feel well-rested, meaning you wake up exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As prevalent as sleep apnea is, it often flies under the radar. That\u2019s why you should be on the lookout for these common symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n