Are you or your partner a chronic snorer? Do you often wake up in the middle of the night, finding it hard to breathe? These issues are common signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In addition to our general dentistry services, Dr. David Rever offers sleep apnea treatments to the public in Silver Spring, MD.
Sleep apnea is a commonly undiagnosed medical condition. It can cause negative consequences for your overall health and oral health. Millions of adults suffer from sleep apnea and its side effects. Sleep apnea results from a patient’s airway becoming partially or completely blocked while asleep.
The patient’s throat muscles fail to keep the airway open, allowing the soft tissues or tongue to block the airway. Oxygen cannot flow to the vital organs and brain, causing patients to experience interrupted and unrestful sleep.
Patients diagnosed with sleep apnea have a higher chance of having heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and other systemic diseases. For some patients, sleep apnea may cause chronic TMJ pain, cracked or broken teeth, and even tooth loss. Early diagnosis of sleep apnea is essential for conservative treatment.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition doctors characterize by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. It can lead to daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, and other health problems. There are many common signs of sleep apnea:
- Consistent, loud snoring
- Waking up to breathe, gasping for breath or choking
- Headaches that arise in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating
- Having a dry mouth in the morning
- Irritability
- Feeling excessively tired during the day
- Experiencing memory lapses during the day
- Sleeping with an open mouth
If you notice any of these signs of sleep apnea, call Advanced Total Dental Care for treatment today at (301) 637-0960. Our professional team will ensure you receive the most comfortable solution possible to help treat sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Certain lifestyle, health, or genetic factors may increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. Knowing your risk factors can help you seek an early diagnosis for effective treatment.
Treating sleep apnea can prevent long-term health problems. Sleep apnea can also help you get a better night’s sleep so you can feel rested and focused.
Common sleep apnea risk factors include:
- Your Weight – Being overweight can put you at a higher risk. Sometimes, losing weight completely alleviates sleep apnea symptoms.
- Your Neck Circumference – People with a larger neck circumference are more likely to develop this disorder. Fat deposits in the neck can create a more narrow airway.
- The Size of Your Airway – Some patients naturally have a more narrow airway. Enlarged tonsils can also narrow the airway, increasing the chance of sleep apnea.
- Your Gender – Men are 50% more likely to develop sleep apnea than women.
- Your Family History – Your family history can predict much about your health, especially as you age. Inform Dr. Rever if you have a family history of sleep apnea.
- Your Health – If you have high blood or diabetes, you may have sleep apnea. Many health and oral health concerns cause a domino effect of other medical concerns. Regular dental exams can help keep your oral health in check.
In some cases, sleep apnea may go undiagnosed because it can be difficult to know you are experiencing it. A common sign of sleep apnea is heavy and loud snoring. If you snore loudly, suffer from depression, have difficulty concentrating, or wake up gasping for air, contact our dentist in Silver Spring, MD, today.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Silver Spring, MD: What to Expect
Dr. Rever works with patients on an individual basis to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Improved overall health and well-being is our number one goal. He looks for the common oral signs of a sleep disorder during routine preventive care visits. Dr. Rever also takes the time to discuss your concerns and lifestyle habits that can affect your oral and overall health.
We can arrange an at-home sleep study. During this study, a record breathing interruptions, movement, and other factors. The results will indicate the severity of your sleep disorder.
Dr. Rever will work with you to coordinate the most appropriate and effective treatment option. Oral appliance therapy can be an alternative to the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. We recommend appliances for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
Patients often prefer small oral appliances and devices due to these key benefits:
- Comfort
- Portability
- More discreet treatment
- Helps the wearer to speak and drink fluids while in place
- Easy maintenance
For patients with more severe cases of sleep apnea, the CPAP remains the gold standard of care. We will help you find the best sleep apnea treatment for your symptoms.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Advanced Total Dental Care offers oral appliance therapy to treat patients with mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. Dr. Rever has full training and experience in the treatment of sleep apnea.
He provides custom-designed oral sleep devices far superior to over-the-counter options. Oral appliances are a more comfortable alternative to bulky CPAP machines. The appliances offer higher compliance rates because they are easy to wear.
An oral sleep device is similar to a sports mouthguard. Your dentist custom designs the device to fit your specifications for optimal comfort and effectiveness.
The oral appliance works by realigning the jaw, thus opening the airway to prevent the soft tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing. The appliance also helps to protect your smile from further damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw, often associated with sleep apnea.
Many patients report feeling less fatigued after only a few nights of using their oral sleep device. The devices are compact, light, and discreet.
Sleeping well is a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle. Your body needs sleep to stay healthy and function properly. Seeking treatment for sleep apnea can restore restful sleep and improve the quality of your life.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Read answers to common questions about sleep apnea in Silver Spring, MD:
Do I have sleep apnea if I snore?
Snoring doesn’t always mean you have sleep apnea, but it can be a sign. Sleep apnea happens when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, and it can make snoring worse. If you snore loudly, feel really tired during the day, or wake up choking or gasping for air, you might have sleep apnea.
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, if you’re worried about your snoring or think you might have sleep apnea, contact our office.
How does obesity impact sleep apnea?
Obesity can make sleep apnea worse. Extra weight, especially around the neck, can put pressure on the airway. This pressure can cause the airway to become blocked or partially blocked while sleeping, making it harder to breathe. When the airway is blocked, it can cause pauses in breathing, snoring, and poor-quality sleep.
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
No, sleep apnea usually doesn’t go away on its own. It’s a condition that needs treatment to improve. In some cases, lifestyle changes like losing weight, sleeping on your side, or avoiding alcohol might help reduce symptoms. But these changes won’t cure sleep apnea completely. Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems.
Can sleep apnea affect sedation?
Yes, sleep apnea can affect sedation. If you have sleep apnea, it’s important to tell your doctor or dentist before getting any kind of sedation. Sedation can make it harder for you to breathe, especially if you already have breathing problems like sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, your airway may already be more likely to get blocked, and sedation can make this worse.
We may need to adjust the type of sedation they use. Our team may also monitor you more closely during the procedure to make sure you’re breathing safely.
How does sleep apnea affect everyday life?
Because sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing while you sleep, you often don’t get restful sleep, which can make you feel tired during the day. This tiredness can make it hard to focus, remember, and stay alert. You might also feel irritable or have trouble getting along with others.
How does sleep apnea affect your health?
Sleep apnea can affect your health in several ways. When your breathing stops and starts during sleep, it can lower the amount of oxygen in your blood. This can put stress on your heart and other organs.
Over time, untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems. The pauses in breathing can cause your blood pressure to rise, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sleep apnea can make the heart work harder, which may lead to heart disease, heart attacks, or heart failure.
Do oral appliances cost more or less than CPAP machines?
Oral appliances usually cost less than CPAP machines. A CPAP machine can be more expensive because it involves a machine, mask, and other equipment needed while sleeping. However, the cost of both treatments can vary depending on your insurance, location, and specific needs.
Is sleep apnea serious?
Yes, sleep apnea is serious. If left untreated, it can lead to major health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The pauses in breathing during sleep lower the amount of oxygen in your blood. This puts extra stress on your heart and other organs.
People with sleep apnea also tend to feel very tired during the day. Sleep apnea can make it hard to concentrate, increase the risk of accidents, and affect overall well-being.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Do you think you may have sleep apnea? Call Advanced Total Dental Care to get your sleep appliance in Silver Spring, MD, today at (301) 637-0960. You can also schedule an appointment online.
If you have any questions about getting sleep apnea treatment from the dentist, please call us. We’ll be happy to help.