There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep. But for millions of people, what’s supposed to be rest turns into a nightly struggle they don’t even realize is happening. Sleep apnea is more common than many people think, and it doesn’t just affect older adults or people who snore loudly. It’s a complex condition that can show up in all kinds of people, often with subtle signs that are easy to miss.

At Dental Specialists of Riverside, we regularly meet patients who had no idea their sleep problems were tied to something more serious. Understanding who’s most at risk can make all the difference in getting the care you need, and maybe even saving your life.

Let’s take a closer look at the real risk factors behind sleep apnea and how to know when it’s time to take it seriously.

What are the chances I have sleep apnea?

Most people associate sleep apnea with snoring, but not everyone who snores has it—and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. So how do you know if you're at risk?

The truth is, sleep apnea doesn’t have one single cause. Instead, it’s the result of a mix of lifestyle, physical structure, and sometimes even genetics. But some risk factors are more common than others.

1. Your weight matters, but it’s not the whole story: Carrying extra weight, especially around the neck, is one of the most well-known risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. When we lie down to sleep, soft tissue in the throat can collapse and block the airway. If there's more tissue due to excess fat, the risk of airway blockage increases. But here’s the catch: not all people with sleep apnea are overweight, and not all overweight people develop it. That’s why it’s important not to assume your weight gives you a free pass—or a guaranteed diagnosis.

2. Your neck size may tell you more than your BMI: Yes, your neck. A thicker neck may have narrower airways, which makes it more likely to become blocked during sleep. Men with a neck circumference over 17 inches or women over 16 inches are considered at higher risk. This doesn’t mean you need to carry a measuring tape to bed, but if you’ve always had a thicker neck and also struggle with daytime fatigue, it may be worth a conversation with your doctor or dentist.

3. Gender and hormones play a role: Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women. That said, women aren’t off the hook. The risk increases after menopause, possibly due to hormonal changes. Women also tend to experience different symptoms—like fatigue, headaches, or mood changes—rather than loud snoring or gasping for air, which can lead to underdiagnosis.

4. Genetics can stack the odds: If someone in your family has sleep apnea, your chances go up. Certain anatomical features—like a recessed jaw, larger tongue, or narrow throat—can be inherited. These features don’t always cause problems during the day, but when your muscles relax at night, they can affect your ability to breathe easily while sleeping.

5. Lifestyle choices can make things worse: Alcohol relaxes your muscles, including the ones in your throat, making it easier for your airway to collapse. Smoking can increase inflammation and fluid retention in your upper airway. Even certain medications like sedatives or sleeping pills can make sleep apnea worse. If you’ve been relying on these substances and find yourself unusually tired during the day, they could be contributing to a bigger issue.

6. Your sleep position counts: Back sleepers tend to have more episodes of sleep apnea because gravity causes the tongue and soft palate to fall backward, blocking the airway. While this may not be a “cause,” it certainly influences how often sleep apnea happens throughout the night.

7. Nasal congestion or sinus issues: If you have trouble breathing through your nose—whether from allergies, a deviated septum, or chronic congestion—you’re more likely to develop sleep apnea. When your nasal passages are blocked, you naturally switch to mouth breathing, which can increase the likelihood of airway collapse.

Do you have sleep apnea every night?

That’s a question many people ask themselves once they learn more about the condition. And while it might sound strange, the answer can be both yes and no.

Sleep apnea episodes tend to happen every night—but they’re not always consistent. The number and severity of episodes can vary depending on:

• Your sleep position
• How tired you are
• What you ate or drank before bed
• Whether you took any medication or sedatives
• If you’re congested or experiencing allergies

Someone might have a few episodes per hour one night and dozens the next. That’s why sleep apnea is measured using something called the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which tracks how many times per hour your breathing is disrupted.

People with mild sleep apnea might only have 5 to 15 episodes an hour. Moderate ranges from 15 to 30, and severe is anything over 30. That’s a lot of breathing interruptions—many of which you may not notice at all.

But just because you don’t remember waking up doesn’t mean it’s not affecting you. These disruptions fragment your sleep and limit the amount of deep, restorative rest your body needs. That’s why people with untreated sleep apnea often feel exhausted, foggy, or irritable during the day, even if they think they slept through the night.

If you wake up feeling like you barely rested, or you’ve been told you snore, gasp, or stop breathing during sleep, it’s worth getting checked out. The sooner you know, the sooner you can get help.

What age does sleep apnea occur?

Sleep apnea doesn’t just appear in older adults—though age does increase the risk. People of any age can develop it, including children. That said, it shows up more often as people get older, especially after age 40.

Here’s how it breaks down:

Children: In kids, sleep apnea is often linked to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or sometimes due to jaw alignment issues. Symptoms can include bedwetting, hyperactivity, or behavioral problems, which makes diagnosis tricky. Many children are mistakenly thought to have ADHD when the issue is actually poor sleep.

Teens and young adults: While not as common in this age group, lifestyle factors like obesity, high screen time (which can affect sleep cycles), and even vaping may contribute to increased risk. This is also a stage when people may feel tired but dismiss it as normal due to school or work stress.

Middle-aged adults: This is when sleep apnea becomes more prevalent. Weight gain, hormonal shifts, stress, and aging tissue all play a role. It’s also when people start to notice their energy isn’t what it used to be, or when partners begin pointing out strange nighttime behavior.

Older adults: Over age 65, sleep apnea becomes even more common, but it’s also more likely to be overlooked. Many older patients assume fatigue is part of aging. But if you’re still active and generally healthy, you shouldn’t feel wiped out all the time. Fatigue, memory problems, or feeling short of breath at night may be tied to sleep apnea.

In short, sleep apnea can happen at any age. But the symptoms might look different depending on how old you are, and that’s why awareness is so important.

When Should You See Someone?

If you’ve read this far and something feels a little too familiar—don’t ignore it. Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just make you tired. It can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even depression or anxiety.

Dentists trained in sleep apnea screening, like those at Dental Specialists of Riverside, can play a key role in spotting the signs. We’re often the first to notice issues with jaw alignment, tongue position, or other oral structures that might be contributing to disrupted breathing at night.

Getting a diagnosis doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, for many patients, the process starts with a simple at-home sleep study or a consultation with a sleep specialist. From there, treatment options may include custom oral appliances, lifestyle changes, or other therapies based on your specific needs.

Don’t Let Sleep Apnea Go Unnoticed

If you’re struggling with poor sleep, unexplained fatigue, or you’ve been told you snore or stop breathing at night, it’s time to take a closer look. Sleep apnea isn’t something you can “power through,” and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

Let’s help you sleep better and live better. Schedule an appointment with Dental Specialists of Riverside today. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you breathe a little easier, night after night.