Sleep apnea can cause interrupted breathing while you sleep that can lead to serious health consequences. While around 22 million Americans experience sleep apnea, doctors estimate that up to 80 percent of cases of moderate to severe sleep apnea go untreated. At Kildaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we help our patients who experience sleep apnea to get some answers about their condition and provide treatment so they can get the quality sleep they deserve.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep breathing disorder where breathing stops and starts while asleep. The more common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway is blocked while asleep. The other type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, where the brain does not send regular signals for the body to breathe while asleep.
What Are Sleep Apnea Symptoms?
Snoring is a very common sign of sleep apnea. However, not all who snore have sleep apnea, and many who have sleep apnea do not snore. Other signs include stopping breathing while asleep, gasping for air, morning headaches, a dry mouth upon awakening, irritability, and more. In addition to symptoms related to fatigue during the day, sleep apnea can increase your risk for stroke and heart attack.
How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea?
We recommend that our patients have a sleep study to determine whether they have sleep apnea. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine that helps your body regulate breathing while asleep. However, our office offers a CPAP alternative: a customized oral appliance. These devices gently shift the position of your jaw while you sleep, opening up your airway and allowing you to breathe uninterrupted.
Contact Us! We Can Help
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can seriously impact your quality of life. If you believe that you or a loved one is experiencing sleep apnea, do not waste another day without seeking treatment that can help you get the restful sleep you deserve. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next appointment, call our office today.