Dental Treatment for Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Do you suffer from snoring and sleep apnea? Did you know 50-70 million Americans suffer from one or more sleep disorders?
Eighteen million have obstructive sleep apnea whereby there are episodes throughout the night when breathing stops for 10 seconds or greater and oxygen levels in the blood may drop dangerously low. This can affect the heart and other organs, as well as being associated with Type ll Diabetes, Gastric Reflux, daytime sleepiness, depression, headaches, grinding of the teeth, increased heart attacks, strokes and death.
You deserve a good night’s rest! Old Town Smiles offers a variety of treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.
About Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Snoring may be a good indication that you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be recognized by its symptoms:
- Waking up and gasping
- Mood changes
- Feeling drowsy throughout the day
- Waking up with a headache
- Having a dry mouth and/or sore throat
- Sleeping with your mouth open
- Urinating frequently throughout the night
- High blood pressure and cardiac issues
Your snoring will also be loud and regular. Partners are often able to notify their significant other of what their snores sound like and whether there are moments in the night where they stop breathing. You may stop breathing anywhere from a few seconds to thirty seconds, up to a few hundred times a night. This will have a significant impact on the oxygen available in your blood to supplement the rest of your body.
There are a few factors that contribute to sleep apnea, such as:
Position in Which You Sleep. Certain sleeping positions, like sleeping on your back, can cause the muscles in your throat to relax and narrow your throat.
Age. As we get older, the muscles in our throat become laxer. The result is a narrower throat that can add to breathing difficulty.
Congestion. Whether in the sinuses or nasal passageways, mucus can block airways and make it difficult to breathe. Many people who have a cold or sinus infection will snore and have a difficult time sleeping.
Overweight or Obesity. Excess fat can be stored all around the body. When the fat is stored in the neck and throat areas, it can restrict breathing and cause snoring.
Smoking. The irritants in cigarettes and other smoking devices can cause the tissue in your throat to become inflamed and swell. This will narrow your breathing passageway, leading to snoring.
Body Structure. On average, men tend to have narrower air passages than women. This explains why men are often associated with snoring. Other factors that can contribute to how body structures affect snoring is when people have a narrow throat, cleft palate, or large adenoids or tonsils.
Medications and Alcohol. Both of these products can relax the muscles of the throat, creating a narrower airway.
These factors can contribute to snoring and thus, sleep apnea.
Even if you have mild sleep apnea, it is best to do your research and get tested before any long term concerns arise. Oral devices are a new sleep apnea treatment that will leave you feeling refreshed throughout the day and will improve your overall health. Loud snoring can be embarrassing and annoying: find your solution to these problems at Old Town Smiles!
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Waking up in the middle of the night, gasping for air is unpleasant and scary. Old Town Smiles offers a variety of treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.
Beginning with a simple Home Sleep Screening, it is possible to evaluate for the presence of sleep-disordered breathing. We work closely under the guidance of Board Certified Sleep Physicians in our evaluation when sleep apnea is present.
A removable oral appliance is typically used to relieve symptoms of snoring and mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. This appliance is custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth. It is designed to help keep the jaws in proper alignment to keep the airways always open during sleep. Home sleep studies help evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
A sleep apnea doctor may suggest a CPAP mask, but these can be expensive and inconvenient. For a customized, simple solution; schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to learn more about your sleep apnea and snoring options.
Following successful dental sleep medicine therapy, our patients report feeling more alert and active, have higher metabolism.
Benefits
The primary benefit of the oral piece is that it will be customized to your mouth and offer a convenient solution to your sleep apnea concerns. Unlike a CPAP machine, this oral piece will be customized to your mouth, allowing for comfort and ease. Not only will you sleep better but your partner will thank you for finding a way to alleviate snoring.
Taking control of your sleep apnea and snoring will improve your health.
Candidates
A sudden stop in snoring could mean that you stop breathing in your sleep. This is scary and should be addressed as soon as you can make time. If you recognize some of the above-listed symptoms in regards to your life or your partner’s life, it is time to get a professional’s opinion.
Meet With a Dentist
A private meeting with one of our dentists will allow you to explain your concerns and create a treatment plan. The first step in this plan will be a take-home test that evaluates your sleeping and will expose the details of any sleep disorder. Once this is determined, a mold will be made of your mouth from which an oral appliance will be made. The device will adjust the jaw forward, allowing the upper airway to increase in size. This will lower air resistance and reduce any snoring or moderate sleep apnea. The plastic appliance will be applied to the upper and lower teeth, like a mouth guard, and help you breathe better as you sleep.
This customized piece will improve your sleep, be easily transported, and convenient. CPAP machines require electricity, are loud, and will leave you with temporary marks around your face. People often complain about the device drying out their throat as well.
Results
With this snoring solution, you and your partner will be able to get better quality sleep. You will feel more rested and alert throughout the day. A good nights rest will do wonders for your health and we provide an excellent remedy! A sleep apnea oral device can be used indefinitely and will provide immediate results.
Cost
Following successful dental sleep medicine therapy, our patients report feeling more alert and active, have a higher metabolism. Contact us today to schedule your appointment at (703) 836-7000.
FAQs
CAN SLEEP APNEA KILL YOU?
Pauses in breathing while you sleep are not likely to kill you. However, there are many factors that can contribute to sleep apnea and whether it will put your life at risk. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues if not treated. These health conditions include cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health conditions and should be treated if you suspect you have it.
WHAT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF SLEEP APNEA?
The main cause of sleep apnea is a narrowing of the throat and airway passages. This can be due to many factors including sleep position, medications, drug use, nasal congestion, age, and weight. These factors will contribute to your snoring and affecting your breathing as you sleep.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF SLEEP APNEA?
The warning signs of sleep apnea are restless nights where you wake up to use the restroom frequently and find yourself waking up, gasping for air. These moments of not breathing can last anywhere from ten to thirty seconds and will impact the amount of oxygen in your blood.
If you have sleep apnea, you will likely sleep with your mouth open which will lead to having a dry mouth or sore throat in the morning. You may develop issues with blood pressure and concerning cardiac problems. Another tell-tale sign is feeling very tired and drowsy during the day. If you recognize any of these symptoms, we encourage you to call our office and schedule an appointment with a dentist today.
HOW SERIOUS IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea in and of itself may not be very serious, it depends on the severity of the condition and how long you’ve had it. If sleep apnea is not addressed it may cause serious health conditions that will put the function of your heart at risk.
DOES SLEEP APNEA HAPPEN EVERY NIGHT?
Yes. The amounts of times you stop breathing will vary but if you have issues breathing while you sleep it will reoccur every night.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA?
There are many sleep apnea dangers. If sleep apnea is untreated it will cause damage to your heart, leaving you at risk of cardiac health conditions. You will also feel drowsy throughout the day, experience morning headaches, and have mood shifts. Luckily, oral pieces like the ones provided at Old Town Smiles work as sleep apnea and snoring remedies.