How Can My Dentist Help With My Sleep Apnea?
Do you snore at night and wake up gasping for breath? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea, and your trusted team at Afton Dental is here to help. We’re happy to offer safe and effective sleep apnea solutions to restore your restful sleep and enhance your health and quality of life.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious chronic sleep disorder that’s characterized by periodically stopping breathing during sleep, as many as 20-30 times an hour. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It usually results from the muscles at the back of the throat relaxing during sleep, causing the soft tissues to collapse and block the airways.
Each time you stop breathing, oxygen deprivation alerts the brain, which causes you to wake up temporarily and restart breathing. Most sleep apnea patients are unaware they have the condition because the time they are awake is so brief. However, the constant wake-sleep cycle can interfere with achieving deep sleep, resulting in a tired and drowsy feeling during the day.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
If you ever experience any of the following sleep apnea symptoms, make sure to contact our office for an evaluation.
- Loud snoring
- Waking up at night gasping for breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during sleep
- Insomnia or difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Night sweats
- Morning headaches
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Extreme fatigue and drowsiness during the day
How Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Health and Quality of Life?
Sleep apnea can significantly impact your health and quality of life. Without treatment, the sleep disorder can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, unexplained weight gain, complications after surgery, and so much more. The ongoing sleep deprivation and fatigue can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory loss, irritability, and frequent mood swings. It can also cause disruptions at school or work and increases the risk of driving or workplace accidents.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
We may refer you to a sleep apnea specialist who may recommend a sleep study to evaluate your condition. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are several treatment options, including CPAP machines, oral appliance therapy, or surgical intervention.
Continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP therapy involves using a device that blows pressurized air through a CPAP mask, which helps keep your airway open and prevents sleep interruptions. However, some patients find the bulky machines, hoses, and noise cumbersome and don’t sleep any better.
If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be a better option for you. Your trusted team at Afton Dental will custom-create an oral device based on your mouth and situation. For example, the appliance may keep you jaw in a slightly forward position, keeping your airway open and allowing you to enjoy a good night’s sleep. In some severe cases, surgery may be required.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Me
Contact Afton Dental in Concord, NC, to learn more about our sleep apnea solutions. Our oral appliances will have you enjoying restful, rejuvenating sleep once again. We look forward to helping you improve your overall quality of life. Call us and schedule your appointment today!