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
For patients with sleep apnea, periods of stopped breathing are often followed by a gasping or choking sound. This leads 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 is living with some kind of sleep disorder. This condition can put you at a higher risk for additional health concerns, like:
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- Depression
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
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 sleep apnea therapy with custom-fitted oral appliances.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman often recommend custom-fitted 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 keep the airway open during sleep. This sleek, non-invasive alternative to a CPAP machine can improve your breathing and help stop snoring while you sleep.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation Today!
Sleep is vital to your health and quality of life. If you or a loved one is suffering 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!
Need a custom-fitted bruxism nightguard? We also have treatment options available for our patients who suffer from TMJ.
