Can a Dentist Treat My Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a form of sleep apnea that occurs when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep and obstruct the airway. An obstructed airway can cause you to go about 10-20 seconds at a time without breathing before your body wakes up to reset your breathing. You may not notice waking up or you can wake up gasping for air. This pattern occurs multiple times throughout the night.

Warning Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorders can cause a variety of negative effects without appropriate treatment. For example, obstructive sleep apnea can cause:

• A dry, itchy throat
• Decreased energy
• Daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Mental fog
• Migraines
• Snoring

At-Home Sleep Apnea Remedies

There are many over-the-counter sleep apnea treatments, such as nasal strips, that can mildly ease symptoms but they don’t actually treat sleep apnea. The best course of action for getting the relief you deserve is to visit a sleep specialist or dentist trained in sleep dentistry to get your oral health and your sleep back on track.

Dental Sleep Medicine

Dentists can receive specialized training in dental sleep medicine. This branch of dentistry utilizes oral appliance therapy to treat disordered breathing, like obstructive sleep apnea. These oral appliances are custom-made for each patient. They are designed to reposition the jaw to prevent soft tissue obstruction while the patient sleeps. Many patients prefer oral appliance therapy over the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine because the oral appliance is more comfortable to sleep with.

Your Trusted Sleep Dentist in Odenton, MD

Quality sleep is crucial for a healthy smile and body! Our True Dental Team can help you get your obstructive sleep apnea and chronic snoring under control so you can get better sleep, and thus enjoy improved quality of life. Please contact our office to schedule an oral appliance therapy consultation!

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