Have you ever been told that you snore? You’re not alone! Millions of people suffer from the effects of snoring and sleep apnea. Many of our patients have struggled to find effective treatment for their sleep apnea symptoms. At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, our goal is to help you get the quiet, restful sleep you deserve!
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Most people with sleep apnea:
- Snore heavily
- Stop breathing periodically while they are still asleep
- Struggle to breathe while asleep with no snoring sound
These periods of stopped breathing are often followed by a gasping or choking sound. The person with sleep apnea will partially awaken in order to breathe, leading to fragmented sleep patterns.
Sleep apnea can be measured by the number of times you stop or reduce your breathing every hour. Together, these events are counted and referred to as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).
A sleep study can measure your AHI as well as the drop in your blood-oxygen levels to help determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea and the seriousness of the condition.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are two different types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). Both are considered to be sleep disorders.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This condition indicates that the soft tissue at the back of your throat is collapsing while you sleep, blocking your airway. This is the most common type of sleep apnea.
Central Sleep Apnea
This type of sleep apnea is caused by instability in your respiratory control center. Essentially, your brain fails to send the signal to your lungs that you need to breathe fully while sleeping.
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Doctors estimate that 9.1% of men and 4% of women have sleep apnea in the United States alone. Those statistics mean that roughly 1 in every 15 people are living with some kind sleep disorder. This condition can mean you’re at a higher risk for:
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- Depression
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
Not getting enough restful sleep can also take a toll on your personal and professional life, leaving you groggy and tired throughout the day.
What Treatments Are Available For Sleep Apnea?
There are several treatment options for those suffering from sleep apnea. At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry we offer:
Oral Appliance Therapy
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the traditional sleep apnea treatment: a CPAP machine. That’s why Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman recommend the use of oral appliances to help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea.
An oral appliance is similar to a retainer or mouth guard and slightly advances the lower jaw or tongue, which can better open your airway during sleep. This alternative to a CPAP machine can improve your breathing and reduce, or even stop, snoring. Everyone’s mouth is different, so we provide customized oral appliances for each patient.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Warren or Dr. Hagerman Today!
Sleep is vital to your health and quality of life. If you’re concerned you or your loved one suffers from sleep apnea, give us a call. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have about sleep apnea or any of the other services we offer.
A consultation with our dentists will help you decide if sleep apnea treatment could be the best solution for your health and wellness.
We also have a variety of treatment options available for our patients who suffer from TMJ.