Hello Dr Samuel here at Montpelier Family Dentistry I get alot of questions about sleep apnea so I'm here today to answer some of the most commonly asked questions.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disordered breathing issue where you actually stop breathing at night while you're sleeping or during the day whenever you're sleeping you just cease to breathe and your oxygen levels go way down.
Who is at risk for sleep apnea?
Anyone can be at risk for sleep apnea. There are certain factors we look for and questions we can ask patients to really identify and screen patients here at the office.
How does sleep apnea affect my oral health?
It can cause teeth grinding. You can have mouth sores, you can have dry mouth which can lead to decay in your teeth like cavities and gum issues because more stuff and plaque is getting stuck to your teeth. It can really affect all your teeth especially with the grinding you can really do a lot of damage if you're clenching on your own teeth all night long.
How can a dentist help diagnose and treat sleep apnea?
We can't typically diagnose, but we can screen patients and then a sleep study would diagnose whether that be a take-home sleep study like something we have here or go to sleep lab where you would have to see a sleep doctor and then they would read your results for you. If you're allowed or able to get something besides an actual mask machine that you have to wear, something you wear inside your mouth if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, we can make one of those for you.
Can oral surgery help me cure sleep apnea?
It's really patient-dependent. Some patients do actually improve with certain types of procedures, but it really depends on each patient.
What appliances do dentists recommend for sleep apnea?
The main one is called a mandibular advancement splint, meaning it moves your lower jaw forward so you're able to get more air into your mouth.
How can I schedule an appointment to talk with a dentist about sleep apnea?
You can call us for a consult, come in, and we can screen you with our questionnaire and give you more information about sleep apnea.
I hope I've been able to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about sleep apnea today for you. If you have more questions, please feel free to call our office at (301) 812-4599 or visit our website at www.theLaurelDentist.com. Thanks.
Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder in which breathing suddenly starts and stops while you are asleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to daytime tiredness, loud snoring, and serious health issues, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heart attack, and diabetes. However, with our comprehensive treatment plan for sleep apnea, you can get rid of this disorder.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be obstructive or central. As the name implies, blockage of the airway when soft tissues collapse in the rear of your throat causes obstructive sleep apnea. On the other hand, central sleep apnea is related to dysfunction in your central nervous system. It happens when your brain fails to send signals to your breathing muscles, causing a sudden arrest in breathing. People with a history of stroke or neuromuscular diseases, such as ALS, experience central sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Snoring
- Fatigue
- Daytime sleepiness
- Restlessness while sleeping
- Sudden awakenings with a feeling of choking or gasping
- Sore throat or dry mouth on waking up
- Trouble in concentrating
- Irritability and forgetfulness
- Depression and anxiety
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Night sweats
- Headaches
- Sexual dysfunction
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
- Conservative Treatments
If you have mild obstructive sleep apnea, you can benefit from conservative therapy, whereby we ask you to lose weight, avoid alcohol, stop consuming sleeping pills, and avoid sleeping on your back. If you have nasal congestion or sinus problems, we prescribe breathing strips or nasal spray to enhance your airflow and reduce snoring.
- Mechanical Therapy
We use Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy with a machine. In this therapy, you are required to wear a mask over your nose, which carries the air forced by an air blower. The air pressure keeps the tissues from collapsing while you are asleep. We use different types of positive airway pressure devices, such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), Bi-Level PAP, Adaptive Servo-Ventilation, and Auto Bi-Level PAP or Auto CPAP.
- Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator
This treatment method uses a stimulator implanted on the right side of the chest under the skin to stimulate your hypoglossal nerve, which makes your tongue move forward and keeps the airway open.
- Mandibular Advancement Devices and Surgery
We give you oral mandibular advancement devices to keep your tongue from blocking your throat and advancing your lower jaw forward. On the other hand, the surgical processes to treat sleep apnea include somnoplasty, tonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), maxillary or mandibular advancement surgery, and nasal surgery.
To find out more about the dental services we offer at Montpelier Family Dentistry, Laurel, MD, call (301) 812-4599 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit Dentist in Laurel MD at 14502 Greenview Dr #100, Laurel, MD, 20708.