Casper and Douglas’s Experts in Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment
Does your partner complain that you snore? Snoring might just be an annoyance, but it may also be a sign of a more serious condition.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing that occur repeatedly throughout the night. If you snore or live with someone who does, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentists.
If you have trouble waking up, or if you feel groggy and tired throughout the day, sleep apnea may be to blame. Sleep apnea sufferers do not get the air they need throughout the night, nor the sleep necessary to stay focused the next day. Over time, sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, weight gain, and depression.
If you want to stop snoring or to find out if you need sleep apnea treatment, contact Aspen Ridge Dental in Casper today. We can help you find the best way to effectively stop snoring and maintain your systemic health in the future.
Don’t Procrastinate Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that, if left untreated, can lead to a number of serious health problems:
- High blood pressure: Sleep apnea causes a drop in blood oxygen levels, which can increase blood pressure and put a strain on the cardiovascular system.
- Heart disease: People with sleep apnea are more likely to develop heart disease, including heart attacks and congestive heart failure, due to the added stress on the heart.
- Stroke: Sleep apnea increases the risk of stroke by three to four times, according to the American Stroke Association.
- Type 2 diabetes: People with sleep apnea are more likely to develop insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Depression: The lack of quality sleep caused by sleep apnea can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
- Fatigue and accidents: People with sleep apnea are more likely to experience excessive daytime fatigue, which can increase the risk of accidents while driving or operating machinery.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent these serious health risks. Our dentists can work with your physician to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.
Sleep Test for Accurate Diagnosis
When you sleep, your tissues relax, including those in the mouth and throat. If the tongue falls back into the throat, or the tissues in the throat collapse, airflow is obstructed.
We can find out if you are suffering from sleep apnea with the latest in-home sleep technology. Our dentists will talk with you about your concerns and send you home with a sleep apnea test. It is a convenient way to collect information and determine if sleep apnea treatment is necessary.
The test monitors your pulse, blood oxygen saturation, number of breaths, heart rate, frequency of breathing cessation, amount of snoring, and sleep position. With this data, we can determine the best way to help you stop snoring and overcome sleep apnea.
CPAP Alternatives
The CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The CPAP machine is an effective treatment for severe sleep apnea, but the machine tends to be quite uncomfortable. Patient compliance after one year is less than 70%. Treatment can’t work if it isn’t being used.
That’s why we offer comfortable CPAP alternatives. CPAP alternatives may include lifestyle changes or oral surgery.
One of the best CPAP alternatives is the sleep apnea mouthpiece. Patients find that the sleep apnea mouthpiece is comfortable, convenient, and effective.
The sleep apnea mouthpiece fits into the mouth like a sports mouthguard. It keeps the lower jaw open and slightly forward, keeping the airway open.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
What is sleep apnea, and what are its symptoms?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking sensations during sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime drowsiness.
How is sleep apnea treated, and what are some CPAP alternatives?
Sleep apnea treatment aims to keep the airway open during sleep to prevent breathing pauses and improve sleep quality. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers a steady stream of air to keep the airway open. However, CPAP therapy may not be suitable for everyone. Alternative treatments for sleep apnea include oral appliances, such as sleep apnea mouthpieces or mandibular advancement devices, which reposition the jaw to prevent airway obstruction during sleep. Other CPAP alternatives include lifestyle modifications, positional therapy, and surgical interventions in severe cases.
Can a sleep apnea mouthpiece help stop snoring?
Yes, a sleep apnea mouthpiece, also known as a mandibular advancement device (MAD) or oral appliance, can help stop snoring by repositioning the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. By advancing the lower jaw slightly forward, these custom-fitted devices help prevent the soft tissues of the throat from collapsing and obstructing the airway, reducing snoring and improving breathing patterns. Sleep apnea mouthpieces are a convenient and comfortable alternative to CPAP therapy for individuals with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP treatment.
How effective is sleep apnea treatment in improving sleep quality and overall health?
Sleep apnea treatment, whether through CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or other interventions, can significantly improve sleep quality and overall health outcomes for individuals with sleep apnea. By addressing breathing pauses and airflow obstruction during sleep, treatment helps reduce snoring, alleviate daytime fatigue, and improve daytime alertness and cognitive function. Additionally, treating sleep apnea can lower the risk of associated health complications, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, leading to better overall health and quality of life.
The Role of Dentistry in Treating Sleep Apnea
Dentistry plays a vital role in the treatment of sleep apnea. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to recognize the signs of sleep apnea during routine dental exams.
By working closely with physicians, dentists can help diagnose and treat sleep apnea using custom oral appliances that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Oral appliances are a comfortable and effective alternative to traditional CPAP therapy. Dentists can also provide guidance on lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and sleep hygiene that can help manage sleep apnea symptoms.
Overall, dentists are key members of the healthcare team in addressing sleep apnea and improving patients’ quality of life.
Contact Aspen Ridge Dental for Better Sleep
If you are in Casper, Douglas, or anywhere in Central Wyoming and think you may be experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t wait – call our Casper office at 307-234-6054 today to discuss your symptoms and explore treatment options, including CPAP alternatives.
Get Your Sleep Apnea Questions Answered – Contact Us Today!
