The National Sleep Foundation is clever. Since 1998, they have designated the week of Daylight Savings Time (“spring forward”) as National Sleep Awareness Week. Falling on March 9th-15th, 2025, it’s meant to bring attention to the 45% of Americans who deal with insufficient rest that affects every aspect of their lives, from their mental and physical health to their personal and professional relationships.
So what does one actually do during National Sleep Awareness Week? Before committing to going to bed early, ask yourself these three basic questions—the answers could point to a serious sleep problem you can take steps to resolve almost immediately.
The 3 BIG Sleep Questions
While you’ll find an excess of sleep advice online, you can shed light on the quality of your rest by asking:
“When do I feel rested and energized?”
When you wake up in the morning, do you feel rejuvenated (after the initial grogginess), or does it seem like you never went to bed? Does your day start fine, but you fade quickly close to lunchtime or in the early afternoon? Is coffee or another source of caffeine the only thing that keeps you awake and focused throughout your waking hours?
“Do I snore?”
If you sleep with a spouse, partner, or in the same general area as someone else, they can provide the input you need. But if you sleep by yourself, snoring might lead to sore throats, dry mouth, and headaches in the morning. No one likes to find out that they snore, but it’s an important indicating factor for a host of sleep issues.
“How likely do I have sleep apnea?”
Sleep apnea affects roughly 30 million Americans every single night, and (stemming from the previous questions), if you rarely feel rested and consistently snore, then there is a good chance you’re suffering from it or another type of sleep-disordered breathing.
What to Do Based on Your Answers
So if you’re persistently exhausted and snore regularly, what do you do with this information?
Before you buy a new pillow or search for eye masks on Amazon, a quick trip to the dentist can save you from a lot of wondering. Why? Most sleep apnea issues occur in the upper airway (i.e. the throat and mouth), which are the areas of the body that dentists understand best. An experienced sleep dentist can assess your airway, organize a sleep test if necessary, and even provide a custom oral appliance that can drastically reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Before you plan to honor National Sleep Awareness Week by taking naps every day, answer these questions, and schedule an appointment with a sleep dentist so you’ll have more to celebrate this time next year.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Kirk has been taking care of Oklahoma City smiles for more than 30 years and is a trusted sleep dentist. Since graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, he has completed countless hours of continuing education focused on treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, and he’s helped many patients feel great in the morning again (and stop snoring!).
If you’d like to learn more about your options for sleep apnea treatment in Oklahoma City and what Dr. Kirk could do for you, contact Grand Dental Studio today.