If your partner or roommate has complained about your loud snoring, you may suffer from sleep apnea in Westminster, MD. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat, which prevents you from breathing properly as you sleep.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking up at night short of breath, headaches or extreme drowsiness throughout the day. These are all things you should mention at your next dental appointment. Dr. Bowersox can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist to properly diagnose you.
If oral appliance therapy will help resolve your sleep apnea, our office can create that oral appliance for you. If you suspect you are suffering from sleep apnea, please schedule an appointment with our team today or call us at 410-642-5634 with any questions regarding our treatment solutions.
Signs of Sleep Apnea and Complications
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring
- Gasping or Choking During Sleep
- Frequent Waking at Night
- Extreme Tiredness During the Day
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Dry Mouth or Sore Throat in the Morning
- Headaches
Sleep apnea isn’t just about feeling tired during the day. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to some serious health problems, which include:
High Blood Pressure
When your breathing stops and starts during sleep, your body struggles to get enough oxygen. This puts stress on your heart, causing it to work harder. Over time, this extra pressure can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure increases the risk of other problems like heart disease and stroke. If it’s not controlled, it can become a serious threat to your health.
Heart Problems
Sleep apnea makes your heart work harder because the pauses in breathing interrupt the oxygen flow. This puts extra stress on the heart, which over time can cause serious heart-related problems. It increases the risk of developing heart disease, having a heart attack, or even experiencing heart failure. The harder your heart has to work, the greater the chance of these issues developing.
Stroke
Since sleep apnea often leads to high blood pressure, it increases the risk of a stroke. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked. This can be life-threatening and can cause serious long-term problems, such as difficulty speaking, moving, or even thinking clearly.
Diabetes
Sleep apnea affects your ability to get restful sleep, which makes it harder for your body to control things like blood sugar levels. Poor blood sugar control can lead to type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, sleep apnea can make it harder to manage the condition. This makes it harder for you to stay healthy and can lead to additional complications over time.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Westminster, MD
If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, there are treatment options to help you breathe better and sleep more soundly. One popular method is oral appliance therapy, which is less invasive than other treatments, like the CPAP machine.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy involves creating a customized dental device, like a nightguard, worn to cover the teeth while sleeping. This device gently helps to position your lower jaw in a forward position, which opens up your airway. By keeping the airway passage clear, you can breathe more easily. This appliance also reduces the interruptions to your sleep caused by sleep apnea.
This therapy offers many benefits. Unlike the CPAP machine, which involves a mask and hoses, these appliances are small and fit inside your mouth. They are much more comfortable and easier to use.
One great advantage of using an oral appliance is that it’s easy to travel with. It fits in a small case, so you can take it with you wherever you go. Cleaning the oral appliance is simple. All you need to do is rinse it off with water and use a gentle cleanser, making maintenance easy compared to more complex equipment like a CPAP machine.
Oral appliance therapy can be an ideal treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a more convenient and comfortable solution for your sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatment FAQs
Snoring and sleep apnea can have detrimental impacts on your quality of life. As your trusted dentist in Westminster, MD, Dr. Bowersox is happy to provide you with sleep apnea treatment. Here are some common questions we get regarding our sleep apnea treatment:
What are the risk factors of sleep apnea?
While anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, it is most common in older adults. Obesity, smoking, drinking, use of sedatives or tranquilizers, and family history can also put a person more at risk for developing sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes may be necessary for treating sleep apnea.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Snoring and sleep apnea can be a sign of major health complications. If left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. Also, because many sleep apnea patients do not get a good night’s rest, they may experience issues with falling asleep at work or school. This makes it dangerous to drive or operate heavy machinery. Sleep apnea can also affect a patient’s risks with certain medications and surgical procedures.
Is a nightguard comfortable?
Yes, the customized oral device that we create to treat your sleep apnea is comfortable. While it may take some time to adjust to using this appliance every night, it is made from a soft material that should not feel uncomfortable in use.
The oral appliance fits snuggly into your mouth and over your teeth. It is designed specifically for your teeth, with your comfort in mind. It does not prevent you from breathing with your mouth open and will even eliminate snoring for patients with sinus congestion or allergies.
Treat Sleep Apnea
Do you or your partner snore? Get sleep apnea treatment in Westminster, MD, by calling 410-642-5634. You may also schedule your next appointment online.