Dental Treatment for Sleep Apnea  

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition affecting up to 22 million Americans of all ages. The problem can also be a serious one, because it causes people to stop breathing temporarily in their sleep.

Sleep apnea results from airway blockage due to the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapsing during sleep. Frequent interruptions to sleep can cause daytime fatigue, stress, anxiety, heart rhythm issues, and deprive vital organs of oxygen. Fine Art of Family Dentistry is pleased to offer sleep apnea treatment in Salina, Kansas that eliminates the root cause of these issues.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

According to the Cleveland Clinic, 25 percent of American men develop sleep apnea compared to 10 percent of women. Besides male gender, other common risk factors include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a large neck circumference
  • Small jaw that creates an overbite
  • Low-hanging soft palate
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Nasal obstruction
  • A central nervous system problem such as a previous stroke

Having one or more of these issues doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop sleep apnea, but it is important to evaluate your risk factors and control them if possible.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

People with sleep apnea may not hear their loud snoring or remember waking up gasping for air. If they sleep with someone else, it is usually that person who notices those symptoms first. Some other common symptoms include:

  • Cognitive impairment, such as difficulty concentrating or memory issues
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Difficulty settling down to fall asleep
  • Dry or sore throat in the morning
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Night sweats
  • Sexual dysfunction

The good news about sleep apnea is that treating it can be as simple as wearing a mouthguard at night. We invite you to learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Salina, Kansas from your local dentist by contacting us at 785-823-5568.

 

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A Look at Common Signs of Sleep Apnea and How the Dentist Can Help  

Sleep apnea, along with other sleep disorders, is considered one of the biggest health issues in the country. Experts believe there to be about 22 million people who have sleep apnea, and 80 percent of the most severe cases may be underdiagnosed. If you have sleep apnea, it affects the quality of your sleep but can also have a detrimental effect on your overall health.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Three types of sleep apnea exist: obstructive, central, and complex. However, each type of sleep apnea can have similar symptoms that present themselves:

  • Snoring loudly
  • Waking up gasping for air or feeling short of breath
  • Waking with an extremely dry mouth
  • Headaches upon waking
  • Stopping breathing during sleep, usually reported by someone sleeping with you
  • Nightmares or night terrors
  • Feeling tired even though you were in bed for a sufficient amount of time

Talk to Your Doctor About Sleep Apnea to Obtain a Proper Diagnosis

If you do suspect that you have sleep apnea of any form, it is best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. The physician may recommend a sleep study or other tests to determine if you have sleep apnea and what could be the underlying cause.

How Your Dentist Can Help with Sleep Apnea

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, be sure to talk to your Salina, KS dentist about the problem. The dentist can actually help by creating a custom mouthpiece that can be worn at night while you are asleep to hold your mouth in the proper position for good airflow. In many cases, this mouthpiece can drastically reduce the number of times you are woken through the night, so you get better quality sleep.

Talk to a Salina Dentist About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious condition, and sometimes the most effective treatment can be a combination approach. Reach out to us at the Fine Art of Family Dentistry in Salina, KS to schedule an appointment to discuss our options for patients with sleep apnea.

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