Do you find yourself waking up gasping for air? Do you struggle with daytime headaches, drowsiness, and irritability? You may have sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more about sleep apnea, common signs, and treatment options!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the lungs to breathe while in a deep sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep and block the airway. To diagnose sleep apnea, a sleep test must be done by a professional to assess for sleep apnea and identify which type you have. If you have central sleep apnea, you will meet with a sleep doctor or your general physician to make a treatment plan for your sleep apnea. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a dentist can actually treat you!
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Wondering if you have sleep apnea? Here are some of the most common signs:
- Waking up out of breath
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Daytime drowsiness
- Chronic headaches
- Frequent snoring
Your Dentist Can Help Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
For patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is a common treatment option. However, some patients find it hard and uncomfortable to sleep hooked up to the CPAP machine. If you’ve tried the CPAP and it’s now getting dusty on your nightstand, you may be a great candidate for oral appliance therapy. Your dentist can design a custom-fitted sleep appliance that repositions your jaw when you wear it. When the oral appliance is in place, it keeps the airway open so that you can breathe normally and get the good night’s sleep you deserve!
Do you have obstructive sleep apnea? Contact our team at Milltown Family Dentistry to schedule your sleep dentistry consultation. We’d love to help you get back to enjoying healthy sleep!
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