HOW CAN MY DENTIST HELP WITH SLEEP APNEA?

Do you struggle with unrestful sleep or snoring? If so, you might consider visiting your dentist for a sleep apnea assessment. Around 22 million Americans have sleep apnea; however, 80 percent have undiagnosed sleep apnea––they don’t even know it! Sleep is crucial to our overall health and wellness. Poor sleep can affect your quality of life and even lead to premature death and other health conditions.

Sleep gives our bodies and minds time to recuperate and refresh and for our bodies to repair. If you don’t get good sleep, Oak Family Dental provides effective treatment for sleep apnea in Metairie, LA. Please get in touch with us today to schedule an assessment with one of our dentists: Dr. Troy, Dr. Patterson, Dr. Garet, or Dr. Guerra.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep-breathing disorder that occurs due to a blocked airway. When tissues that support the airway collapse, it interrupts breathing patterns. There are three types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – OSA occurs when the airway is blocked by anatomical features, like enlarged tonsils or tongue.
  • Central sleep apnea – Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t transmit the proper signals to the breath-controlling muscles in the body.
  • Complex sleep apnea – Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

The most common type of sleep apnea is OSA, and it can affect people of any age, including children.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA?

Some common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring
  • Gasping during sleep
  • Choking during sleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
  • Mood changes or irritability
  • Dry mouth or dry throat

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to overall health complications like high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, heart attack, type 2 diabetes, depression, and more.

HOW DO METAIRIE DENTISTS DIAGNOSE SLEEP APNEA?

Snoring is the most reported symptom of sleep apnea. However, you may only know you snore if you have a sleeping partner. Also, just because someone snores don’t necessarily mean they have sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, please schedule an assessment with your Metairie dentist.

At Oak Family Dental, we offer practical and comfortable solutions to sleep apnea so they can live their best lives. Our team has the training and experience to recognize sleep apnea’s signs and symptoms; plus, we use advanced technology to measure your airway’s diameter and detect blockages in the airway or nasal passage.

Based on the results and other factors, we may need to collect more information through an at-home sleep study, which we send to a certified sleep physician to interpret the results.

HOW DO YOU TREAT SLEEP APNEA IN METAIRIE, LA?

Oak Family Dental is here to help our patients achieve the best treatment to improve their overall health and treat sleep apnea. With the help of our Metairie dentists, you will feel better and rest more comfortably in no time at all!

Treatment varies based on the cause of sleep apnea and its extent. Here are some treatment options:

1. CUSTOM DENTAL APPLIANCE

We recommend a custom-made dental appliance to gently reposition the airway so it’s open and unblocked while you sleep.

2. CPAP THERAPY

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is another type of treatment that involves wearing a mask that administers mild air pressure to open and maintain the airway.

3. ORTHODONTICS OR SURGERY

Sometimes sleep apnea is due to anatomical issues in the throat or a bad bite. More complex treatments include orthodontics or surgeries like a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or sinus lift.

Call us today to schedule an evaluation so we can create a treatment plan that helps restore your quality of sleep and well-being.

HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR SLEEP APNEA?

Certain factors can increase the risk of sleep apnea, such as:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Genetics
  • Anatomical abnormalities in the throat or mouth
  • Malocclusion (e.g., crossbite, overbite, underbite)

If you have family members with sleep apnea, speak with your doctor or dentist about lowering your risk of sleep apnea.

CALL US ABOUT SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT IN METAIRIE, LA

Based on the severity of the condition, your dentist might recommend oral appliance therapy, surgery, or CPAP. Please get in touch with our dental office today if you have sleeping issues, like snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness. Our friendly and knowledgeable team looks forward to helping you get the restful sleep you deserve.

Related Services: Sleep Apnea Treatment