Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects your breathing while you sleep. Breathing might stop and start periodically throughout the night, causing you to snore and feel tired after a full night’s rest. A simple treatment from Pleasant Family Dentistry can restore your sleep quality.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring loudly
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Episodes of stopped breathing at night
• Waking up tired or with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Problems paying attention
• Daytime sleepiness
• Problems staying asleep

At the first sign of sleep apnea, or if you’ve been diagnosed with the condition, visit Pleasant Family Dentistry for an evaluation and treatment.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anybody, but certain factors boost your risk of experiencing it. Examples include:

• Being overweight
• Having a narrow airway
• Being male
• Older age
• Family history of sleep apnea

Other risk factors include smoking, nasal congestion, using alcohol or sedatives, and having a chronic disease.

Is sleep apnea treatment right for me?

Your dentist can let you know if you’re a good candidate for sleep apnea treatment. They review your medical history and ask about your symptoms. If your doctor has diagnosed you with sleep apnea and you don’t want to use a CPAP machine or have surgery, Pleasant Family Dentistry offers a simpler solution: an in-house oral appliance called Optisleep. 

How does my dentist treat sleep apnea?

Your dentist can create a custom-fit oral appliance to reduce snoring and other symptoms associated with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Optisleep two-piece appliances move your lower jaw comfortably to relax tissues at the back of your throat. They prevent the base of your tongue from blocking your airway.

Optisleep appliances improve sleep quality at night and reduce daytime tiredness. About 90% of patients report reductions in snoring while using them. Optisleep allows you to close and open your mouth naturally. The device is thin and comfortable. You can avoid surgery, CPAP masks, and tubes attached to CPAP machines by choosing an oral appliance instead.

Don’t let snoring, poor sleep quality, and daytime tiredness negatively affect your life. Schedule an appointment with Pleasant Family Dentistry by phone or book online to determine if Optisleep sleep apnea treatment is right for you.