Sleep Apnea: How to Recognize the Signs and When to Seek Help
Have you been snoring loudly and struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can lead to repeated pauses in breathing during the night, putting your health at risk. Dr. Rick and his team at Dr. Rick Dentistry offer safe and effective sleep apnea treatment options, including oral appliance therapy, to help restore your restful, rejuvenating sleep. We invite you to visit our practice in Scottsdale to experience the difference.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing as you sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common of which is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA usually occurs when the throat muscles relax, causing your airway to collapse and leading to repeated pauses in breathing as you sleep. Your brain, sensing the lack of oxygen, wakes you up briefly to start breathing again. These repeated breathing pauses, known as apneas, can occur dozens or even hundreds of times a night, often without you ever realizing anything is going on.
What Are Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Because sleep apnea occurs during sleep, many patients are unaware of it until a family member or partner alerts them. The most common warning signs of OSA include loud snoring and gasping or choking sounds during sleep. Sleep apnea is often linked to nighttime teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). Additional symptoms include trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, poor quality of sleep, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, mood changes, and daytime fatigue, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can do more than disrupt your sleep. It has been linked to a host of serious health concerns, such as high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and acid reflux. The longer it goes unchecked, the more strain it can place on your health. The loud snoring and repeated gasping sounds can also prevent your partner from getting a good night’s rest.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA?
Traditional sleep apnea treatments include CPAP therapy, which involves breathing pressurized air through a mask to help keep your airway open during sleep. While effective for many patients, some find the machine noisy and cumbersome and have difficulty tolerating it or using it consistently.
At Dr. Rick Dentistry, we offer oral appliance therapy, a more comfortable, effective, and convenient alternative to CPAP therapy for many patients. You’ll wear a custom oral appliance during sleep, similar to a mouthguard. Examples include mandibular advancement devices or soft tissue repositioning oral appliances that keep your tongue or jaw in a more favorable position, helping keep your airway open as you sleep. Dr. Rick will recommend the ideal oral appliance based on your unique needs.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea Near Me in Scottsdale, AZ
If you’d like to learn more about oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea, contact Dr. Rick Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Dr. Rick will answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you get on track to lasting relief. We invite you to call our Scottsdale practice at 480-585-4244 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!