What Is Snoring & Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder of which snoring is a common symptom. Some people may snore and not have sleep apnea, but many people who snore have undiagnosed sleep apnea.
When you lay down to sleep, especially on your back, your tongue slides back toward your throat and your throat tissues relax. This may cause a partial obstruction of your airway, which results in snoring as the air moves over the tissues when you breathe, causing them to vibrate. In the case of sleep apnea, the tissues completely obstruct your airway, causing you to stop breathing for seconds or even minutes at a time. When your brain registers the lack of oxygen, you will rouse from sleep enough to change positions and resume breathing.
Complete obstruction of your airway can occur up to 30 or more times in a single hour. These frequent interruptions to your sleep cycle prevent you from reaching the deep level of sleep necessary for adequate rest.
Why Choose Hewlett Dental Excellence?
Many people do not realize that sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated by a dentist. Hewlett Dental Excellence specializes in snoring and sleep apnea treatment, providing custom oral appliances that can help you get better quality sleep each night. Quality of sleep is closely tied to your overall health and wellness. Chronic, untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
We are dedicated to our patients’ overall well-being, not just your oral health. Through an oral evaluation and a consultation to discuss your symptoms, we can diagnose sleep apnea and provide the treatment you need for you and your partner to sleep better each night.
Treatments Offered
- Snore Guard. A snore guard is a custom mouthpiece you wear when you sleep that positions your jaw to prevent your tongue from sliding back to block your airway.
- Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). A custom oral appliance can be made that will keep your airway open while you sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Waking up breathless
- Sore throat
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Teeth grinding
- Lack of energy
- Dozing off easily during the day
- Feeling sleepy or groggy, like you’re in a fog
- Difficulty focusing
- Headaches