Sleep Apnea
At Dental Solutions of Encinitas, we are passionate about improving your smile, but we are equally enthusiastic about providing dental care that contributes to more holistic, whole-body health. This includes helping you get better sleep with our sleep apnea solutions.
Sleep apnea causes snoring and many other symptoms, and it can impact your quality of life in many ways. The beginning of a great day always begins with a good night’s sleep. If you aren’t getting the rejuvenating, high-quality sleep that lets you wake up refreshed, Our sleep apnea treatment can help.
So why wait another day for the peaceful night you deserve? Contact our office to schedule your sleep apnea consultation.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that interferes with our breathing while we’re asleep. There are several types of sleep apnea—the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which as the name implies, is caused by an obstruction to your airflow.
Many of these obstructions are caused by changes in your mouth. A softening of your palate, changes in jaw alignment, and even the position of your tongue can prevent you from breathing correctly throughout the night. When this happens, it is nearly impossible to get into the restorative rest that occurs during REM sleep.
It is vital to address this quickly, as the long term effects of poor sleep negatively impact not only your oral health but your general well-being. Sleep apnea has been linked to serious medical risks such as:
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common problem that can cause or contribute to many adverse health effects. While you may know that medical treatments for sleep apnea exist, experienced dentists can also diagnose and treat this concern. Often, dental interventions are more straightforward and comfortable.
Warning Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Everyone has the occasional bad night; caffeine intake, noisy neighbors, or bad luck can prevent us from getting the shuteye we need. However, if you find yourself constantly struggling to get a restorative, full night’s rest, sleep apnea may be the culprit.
Sleep studies and consultations are the most accurate way to identify this condition, but there are common warning signs to help you determine whether or not to seek a professional diagnosis.
You should consider contacting our office for a sleep apnea consultation if you experience these symptoms:
- You snore most nights
- You wake up gasping or feel the need to catch your breath.
- You don’t feel rested no matter how many hours you’ve slept
- You frequently wake up with a headache
- You are dependent on caffeine or frequent naps to get through the day
- You find yourself jerking awake at random times during the night
- You wake up several times a night to use the bathroom
Keep in mind that snoring doesn’t always mean you have sleep apnea, but chronic snoring is a telltale sign of the condition. With treatment, you can have a better night’s sleep and reduce snoring.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, can actually impact anyone regardless of age. Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing this condition. Typical risk factors include:
If you have any of these risk factors, you’ll want to be extra aware of the signs of sleep apnea. Once you have noticed symptoms, call our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Sherry Vakilian.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, you’ll need an official diagnosis. There are two main ways to determine if you have sleep apnea. The first is to visit a sleep testing center where you’re monitored throughout the night by healthcare professionals. While you sleep, you’ll wear equipment that monitors your heart, lungs, and brain, as well as breathing and blood oxygen levels.
While sleep centers are the most thorough way to diagnose sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, some patients find them stressful. You may have a hard time actually sleeping. So, at-home sleep tests are an alternative that many patients prefer.
With a home sleep test, you receive equipment that measures your airflow, blood oxygen level, and heart rate. The equipment measures these statistics while you sleep and reports the finding through an app. Then, your dentist or healthcare provider assesses the results to determine if you have sleep apnea. This is all done in the comfort of your own bed and house.
If you have questions about the diagnostic process for sleep apnea, give us a call.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
In some cases, lifestyle adjustment signs like stopping smoking or losing weight can relieve mild sleep apnea. You can also try changing the position you sleep in with advice from your dentist or healthcare provider. If sleep apnea is caused by allergies, medications may help.
However, these measures aren’t often enough to lessen moderate to severe sleep apnea symptoms. If this is the case, there are a couple of main options to treat sleep apnea. Here’s what you need to know about each.
CPAP Machine
The CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, device is the treatment most people are familiar with. With this treatment, you wear a mask over your mouth and nose while you sleep. The machine ensures higher air pressure which keeps your upper airways open during sleep.
While CPAP is the most common and a generally effective option for treating sleep apnea, many people do not like to wear the device. It can be somewhat uncomfortable and loud, and it can take some time to get used to.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are a common, effective alternative to CPAP machines. They are also the treatment options we provide at Dental Solutions of Encinitas. Many patients prefer oral appliances because they are much easier to use and more comfortable.
An oral appliance is a customized device that looks and works similarly to a mouthguard or removable retainer. These devices help open your through by positioning your jaw forward. There are various options for oral appliances, so we will find the type that works best for you and make adjustments as needed.
Keep in mind that oral appliances are a good treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea but may not be effective enough if the condition is more severe.
A Streamlined Solution to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Although obstructive sleep apnea can make your life complicated, our office provides a simple, streamlined solution. Thanks to our highly advanced examination technology like dental X-rays and 3D imaging, we can identify which areas of your mouth are causing an obstruction.
From there, we can create an orthodontic appliance similar to a customized mouthguard. By wearing this at night, your mouth will be gently adjusted and properly aligned for proper airflow, allowing you to breathe easily for a rejuvenating rest.
Treating sleep apnea with Dental Solutions of Encinitas is one of the most effective and quickest route to relief. We make it easy to diagnose and treat your sleep apnea without the use of CPAP machines.
Wake Up Refreshed Thanks to Our Sleep Apnea Treatment
Here at Dental Solutions of Encinitas, we believe in getting you the dental care you need for whole body health. Our sterling reputation provides peace of mind with each dental treatment you receive because your smile is our passion.
Dr. Sherry Vakilian and the team want you to feel healthy and rested, so we offer sleep apnea treatment to provide a holistic approach to your dental care. You deserve to get a good night’s rest!
Call today to schedule a sleep apnea consultation and start getting the quality sleep you deserve.