How advanced dental care in Centerville can help with sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by breaks in breathing that occur during the sleep cycle. It is a chronic disorder that results in a decrease in oxygen to the brain and body, severely disrupting normal sleep patterns. At Alex Bell Dental in Centerville, our advanced dental care services include treatment for sleep apnea.
Understanding apnea
Patients with sleep apnea have “apneic episodes.” These pauses in breath can last a few seconds or even a few minutes. Patients with sleep apnea may have up to 30 pauses in breath during a single hour, and this could occur during every hour of sleep. After an apneic episode, normal breathing resumes, sounding like a loud snore or choke. Sleep apnea can often go undiagnosed for many years. It is not uncommon for a spouse or other family member to initially observe the signs of the condition and alert the patient.
There are three main forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and mixed. We most commonly see patients with obstructive sleep apnea, which means it is caused by an airway blockage.
Loud snoring is the most frequent symptom of sleep apnea. It occurs because air is trying to squeeze its way through the blockage. Other symptoms may include:
- Depression
- Daytime sleepiness
- High blood pressure
- Irritability
- Diabetes
- Memory problems
- Weight gain
Treatment for sleep apnea
Many patients are surprised to learn that dentists can treat sleep apnea. With a small oral appliance, we are able to relieve most mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The oral appliance is specifically designed to hold the tongue and jaw in proper forward position, allowing unimpeded airflow. This decreases apneic episodes and drastically reduces symptoms. Dental appliances are also great for patients who are not compliant with or able to use CPAP machines.
Call (937) 435 7311 to schedule a consultation.
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