If you believe you have sleep apnea, you may think a general physician or a doctor focusing on sleep disorders is your only option for treatment. You do not have to look any further than your general dentist to get help. Though your dentist chiefly focuses on keeping your teeth and gums healthy and strong, this professional can fill a larger role. Treating this serious breathing problem is related to your oral health. Your dentist can suggest different treatments.
Sleep apnea is a breathing dysfunction where a person stops breathing while asleep. The breathing resumes, but sometimes not until a few minutes have elapsed. There are two main types of this disorder: obstructive and central. Obstructive is when something is inhibiting the breathing, usually excess tissue or the tongue blocking the airway. Central occurs when the brain and respiratory system do not communicate effectively.
An individual can know they have this condition if snoring is a nightly habit. People with sleep apnea may feel exhausted throughout the day. The person could also be irritable. The condition can cause a person not to think clearly or use poor judgment. Older people and those who struggle with weight problems tend to have the disease more often.
Patients who show the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea should tell their dentist right away. The dentist may take X-rays of the person’s mouth and throat to see whether there are any obstructions. The dentist will also talk to the patient and the patient’s partner and ask questions about how frequent the breathing problems occur. Next, the dentist may discuss different treatment options, and which might make the most sense to treat the illness.
CPAP machines can be an effective way of treating the condition. The dentist recommends different approaches. Instead, the dentist will fit the patient with one of a few different types of oral appliances. When obstructive sleep apnea is the cause, a mouthguard could correct the problem. When it fits properly, the device pushes the jaw forward, opening the airway so the patient can breathe well.
Another approach is to wear a tongue depressor. This could make sense when the patient has an abnormally large tongue or if it rolls up to the back of the throat while the patient sleeps. The patient should wear it each night. It is important to use it as the dentist directs.
The dentist will not prescribe a treatment and leave the patient alone. There will be frequent contact to make sure the devices are working effectively. In addition to having semiannual checkups and cleanings, the patient may go into the office every few months to make sure the appliance still fits. The dentist can then check that the patient is getting the most out of the appliance.
You never want to ignore the signs of sleep apnea. Sometimes, treating it can be as basic as wearing an oral appliance. If you think you need help breathing at night, call your dentist. Schedule a time to talk about different ways to combat this condition.
Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Sleep Apnea in Benicia, CA.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes the airway to become obstructed. Airway obstruction leads to an inability to breathe as oxygen is no longer able to flow. Additionally, sleep apnea can result in a lack of sleep, which may translate to poor work ethic, irritability, and stress. Thankfully, sleep apnea can be addressed, managed,…
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing stops and starts periodically throughout sleep. When this occurs, your body awakens you and tells you to start breathing again. Repeated sleep disturbances make it harder to sleep properly, and you will be especially fatigued throughout the day.Sleep apnea affects you beyond daytime fatigue. Without treatment,…
If you have sleep apnea, it might at first seem like more of a nuisance for your partner than for you, especially if your primary symptom is snoring. Is it a good idea to find a solution that merely minimizes the effects on your sleeping partner — such as noise-canceling earbuds to mask the sound…
Sleep apnea is a condition that is often caused by muscle weakness in the upper throat, tongue or mouth and it is usually accompanied by snoring. One of the least invasive ways to go about addressing sleep apnea involves doing exercises that strengthen the muscles in these areas.Myofunctional therapy uses specific exercises that target the…
Dental crowns are the most popular way to restore teeth that are in bad shape due to decay, injury or other imperfections. Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many different material choices, all of which offer their own pros and cons. Keep reading to learn about three options that general dentists recommend. Outlined below…
Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening treatment that entails wearing sets of custom-made transparent aligners over the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, the aligners are removable, which means wearers can take them off when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Learn about these clear aligners and how they are used to…