Sleep apnea occurs when tissues in the airway momentarily halt breathing. Patients with sleep apnea can have hundreds of pauses in breathing during sleep. These breathing disruptions are dangerous and can lead to waking up often during the night and experiencing insomnia. Many people may not realize that dentists can treat sleep apnea. However, the position of the bite and the jaw can impact the airway. Dr. Anthony Yaldo works with sleep specialists and provides sleep apnea treatment and restores comfort through oral appliances in his Keego Harbor, MI, dental office. Our office also provides restorative dentistry treatments to patients in Keego Harbor.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Knowing the signs of sleep apnea and addressing these symptoms early on can prevent future heart and breathing problems. Patients with sleep apnea can experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Snoring
- Daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
While snoring is not an immediate indicator of sleep apnea, patients who have sleep apnea can snore. If you do snore, be sure to look out for additional symptoms of sleep apnea. Loud or inconsistent breathing can also be an indicator of sleep apnea.
Risk factors of sleep apnea can include:
- Weight
- Age
- Gender
- Neck circumference
Patients who are male, overweight, or over the age of 40 are more likely to experience sleep apnea. A restricted or narrow airway will increase the likelihood of the tissues blocking air. Sleep apnea can also increase the risk of heart problems. Many pauses in breathing during sleep apnea lead to a lack of oxygen flow to the heart. This continual oxygen restriction puts stress on the heart. Some patients with sleep apnea are more at risk of experiencing heart problems, including irregular heartbeats, stroke, or heart attacks. It’s especially dangerous if patients have a history of heart problems and develop sleep apnea. Receiving treatment from a professional can help manage symptoms and lower the risk of major heart issues.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Keego Harbor, MI
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are meant to deliver oxygen through the airway to keep it open. A CPAP machine delivers oxygen through a mask around the nose and mouth. While CPAP machines can benefit patients with severe sleep apnea, they can be bulky, loud, and uncomfortable. We will often recommend oral appliances for patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea appliances cover the upper and lower tooth arches, typically with a molded hard plastic like acrylic and connected with a metal piece. We will take dental impressions to ensure the nightguard comfortably fits over the teeth. The nightguard will move the lower jaw forward, opening the airway and making breathing easier for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Sleep apnea oral appliances are noiseless, portable, and often found to be more comfortable than CPAP machines.
Address Sleep Apnea
Get a good night’s sleep and solve daytime sleepiness. If you experience sleep apnea and want an alternative to a CPAP machine, contact Orchard Lake Dental Care for sleep apnea treatment today at (248) 780-7062. You can also request a dental appointment with Dr. Yaldo online.