Sleep Apnea
 Sleep apnea is a serious condition that many of our patients suffer through each day. Without the proper treatment, sleep apnea may start to cause big issues in your overall health. Without the proper oxygen, and with frequent awakening at night, it is hard to get the sleep you need. At Capital Dental Center, we can provide you with some possible treatments for your obstructive sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that can make it difficult to sleep well and may cause other health disorders. It can cause the person to stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. When sleep apnea occurs, some of the muscles of your airway will relax while you are asleep. This will sometimes cause the airways to get blocked off, so the body is not able to get enough air. The breathing may stop for ten seconds or longer until the reflexes naturally restart the breathing process. A patient has sleep apnea if they stop breathing and then start again more than thirty times in an hour. However, any time the patient stops breathing at night, there may be a potential problem.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Some patients may notice that sleep apnea is happening if they start waking up short of breath and from not breathing. However, it is often their bed partner who will notice this issue first. For example, you may notice that your partner snores really loud or, if you are awake when they fall asleep, you may notice there are times when the person with sleep apnea stops breathing altogether.
There are some symptoms that both the person with sleep apnea and their partner may notice. For example, they may wake up abruptly from sleep, along with some gasping and choking. They may have a decreased libido, irritability, and mood changes from not sleeping well, and lots of nighttime sweating.
What Are the Treatments?
There are many different treatments that a patient may choose with our professionals, including a CPAP machine to open the airways. Surgery is also an option we may consider in certain situations. These options are more advanced and can help when sleep apnea has taken over your life and other options are not helping to alleviate the problem.
In our office, we have been able to provide relief from sleep apnea to our patients. We can help create a mouthpiece or oral device, suited specifically to your mouth, to keep the jaw and throat open while you are sleeping. This can help make sure the muscles do not get in the way of your breathing and makes it easier for you to get a good nights' sleep.
Sleep apnea is a big issue that many of our patients suffer from. The constant snoring, the lack of oxygen while asleep, and the poor sleep quality can be very disruptive to our patients, especially if this condition is left untreated. If you would like to learn more about the different sleep treatments for your sleep apnea, call or text Capital Dental Center at 202-978-8778 today.
FAQs
How can a dentist help with sleep apnea?
A dentist can help with sleep apnea by providing a custom oral appliance that is worn during sleep to help keep the airway open. At Capital Dental Center, our dentists can evaluate your symptoms, bite, and airway-related concerns to determine whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate for you.
What are common signs of sleep apnea?
Common signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, dry mouth, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to speak with a qualified healthcare provider about proper diagnosis and treatment options.
What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?
An oral appliance for sleep apnea is a custom-made device that fits over the teeth and is worn while sleeping. It is designed to reposition the jaw or tongue in a way that supports better airflow and may reduce airway obstruction for patients who are good candidates.
Is oral appliance therapy an alternative to CPAP?
Oral appliance therapy may be an option for some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for those who have difficulty tolerating CPAP. Our dental team can work with your healthcare provider to help determine whether an oral appliance fits your diagnosis and treatment goals.
How is a sleep apnea oral appliance made?
A sleep apnea oral appliance is made using impressions or digital scans of your teeth so it can fit comfortably and securely. Once the appliance is ready, our dentists will check the fit, make needed adjustments, and explain how to wear and care for it. |
