Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatment – Visit Your Dentist For Sleep Apnea Treatment?

If you snore, you’ve got a lot of company! Did you know that 45% of adults snore occasionally and more than 25% of us are habitual snorers? Also, more than half of men over sixty snore regularly. Although snoring can cause tension with a spouse or roommate, there’s no reason to be embarrassed.

What causes snoring? Snoring is often caused by poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat. It happens when your tongue falls backwards and touches the back of your throat where it can restrict normal airflow. When this happens, your tongue and throat vibrate with each breath, causing snoring. Sometimes large tonsils and adenoids can cause snoring.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

We all know what snoring is, but not everyone knows about a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It’s debilitating sleep disorder that can significantly affect all aspects of your life. It’s caused by relaxed throat muscles and snoring is a symptom.

With OSA, breathing stops and starts during sleep, repeatedly all night long. People with OSA can experience these additional symptoms:

During the night:

• snoring
• gasping for air
• dry mouth
• insomnia

During the day:

• headaches upon waking
• insomnia
• sleepiness, tiredness, grogginess
• distraction & decreased focus
• irritability
• depression

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Often a partner or spouse will notice your symptoms during sleep. You may notice symptoms that manifest during the daytime. As a dentist in Linden, NJ, we can help.

We’ll evaluate your symptoms and medical history before referring you to a sleep specialist who will also evaluate your symptoms and medical history, plus your current physical health and perform a “sleep study.”

A sleep study analyzes both how you sleep and how your body responds to issues related to sleep. The study records your vital signs, the amount of oxygen in your blood, the air movement through your system, your brain activity, your chest movements, and your snoring.And if you do have OSA, it will determine the severity. The sleep study and the physical exam may also shed light on the cause of your OSA.

Oral appliances can help!

For many of our patients who suffer from sleep apnea, we prescribe an oral appliance called a mandibular advancement device. Also known as a dental sleep device, it is one of the most commonly used oral appliances. It looks like a sports mouthguard. Its function is to bring the lower jaw forward to help keep the throat muscles (which collapse during sleep apnea) tight, so that they can’t drop to obstruct your breath.

If you suspect you suffer from OSA, your first step is to call A.P.S Dental Center at (848) 235-9937. We’ll do a thorough exam of your teeth, mouth, and jaw to determine whether you are a good candidate for a custom-fitted device.

While we create your appliance, you can do these things at home to get a jump on a good night’s sleep:

• Create a relaxing pre-bedtime ritual – reading or meditation is ideal. Avoid computers, laptops, & smartphones.
• Establishing regular sleep patterns – go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning. Even on weekends and holidays.
• Don’t nap.
• Keep your bedroom cool.
• Avoid heavy meals before sleep.
• Limit alcohol.
• Exercise – a 30-minute brisk walk each day, yoga classes, bike rides, or play your favorite sport (wear a protective mouthguard if there’s any chance of contact)

As a compassionate dentist in Linden, NJ, we want you to get a good night’s sleep so that your days are productive, happy, and safe. We’re always here to help. New patients are always welcome too! Call 877-925-3535 today!

 

Sleep Apnea are you getting quality sleep? 

Snoring usually occurs when you relax, which causes your lower jaw and tongue to drop against the back of your throat, constricting your airway and reducing your oxygen. To combat this, your breathing intensifies, causing the soft tissues at the back of your throat to vibrate.

But, for more than 22 million Americans, their breathing can stop repeatedly during sleep – sometimes hundreds of times per night. More than half of their sleep time is oxygen-deprived. They wake up unrefreshed and can fall asleep during the day, sometimes even behind the wheel. For them, it’s not “just” snoring. They suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – and up to 80% of those with mild to moderate OSA remain undiagnosed.

If you’re a regular follower of our blog, you’ll know that:

Quality Sleep Offers:

Healthy Brain Function and Emotional Well-Being Improves Brain Functions Enhanced learning / Memory Functions Better Emotional Control Physical Health More Energy Tissue Growth / Repair Muscle Development Balanced Health Normal Blood Sugar Level Healthy Hormone Balance Better Appetite Control Healthy Immune System Daytime Performance More Productive at Work and School Faster Reaction Time Fewer Mistakes

▸ Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Brain Related Snoring Choking / Gasping Dry Mouth / Sore Throat Stroke Insomnia Daytime Sleepiness Depression / Mood Swings Memory Problems Heart Related Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Irregular Heartbeat Others Diabetes Obesity Chronic Acid Reflex Increased Appetite / Calorie Intake For Men Erectile Dysfunction / Impotence Frequent Urination at night For Women Higher Level of Fatigue, Tiredness, Lack of Energy, Restless Legs, Depression, Insomnia

▸ Children & Apnea OSA is more common among kids and teens than you might think. During the day, kids with apnea may:

experience headaches, particularly in the morning feel cranky and quarrelsome daydream or fall asleep breathe through the mouth and speak nasally have difficulty with schooling or socializing.

▸ Benefits Of Sleep Apnea Therapy: For years the gold standard of treatment has been a bulky CPAP machine that pumps a continuous flow of air through the mask to help you breathe through the night. Unfortunately, many people cannot tolerate a CPAP machine and they are not easily portable for traveling.

We’re proud to offer an alternative … a small custom-fitted oral appliance that repositions your jaw during sleep, allowing your airways to remain open and your breathing to stay consistent – so you can have a restful night’s sleep.

▸ Benefits Of Sleep Apnea Therapy: Reduce risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, morning headaches, memory loss, irritability … and more Improve daytime alertness, concentration, mood, and mental health stability Reduced medical expenses due to complications.

▸ Advantages Of Oral Appliance Therapy over CPAP: Ease of use – no wires, hoses, or water reservoirs as with CPAP machines Small size that’s easy to slip into your purse or satchel Higher compliance means higher chance of effective treatment and improved health. If you or your partner suspect sleep apnea, talk to us. We will ensure you receive the easy testing and treatment you need and deserve!