Do you snore loudly? Do you often wake up still feeling groggy or tired? Is it becoming more difficult to concentrate during the day?
If you could answer “yes” to any or all of these questions, you may suffer from a sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause a person to stop repeatedly breathing during sleep. Sleep-related dental concerns and OSA are growing health problems affecting the daily lives of millions of people. Dr. Thompson offers snoring and sleep apnea treatment in our Greeley dental practice. We provide relief from symptoms and improve overall health and well-being.
What is Sleep Apnea?
There is a range of sleep disorders and several types of sleep apnea. It is important to be properly screened, tested, and diagnosed by a sleep medicine professional to reduce associated health risks and improve your daily quality of life. Your dentist in Greeley, CO screens for the oral signs of sleep apnea during routine dental exams and works with at-risk patients to coordinate sleep testing as needed.
Sleep apnea refers to a repeated cessation of breathing while asleep resulting from soft tissue collapsing into the airway at the back of the throat. There are both genetic and lifestyle factors that can contribute to sleep apnea, and being aware of your risk can help you receive the care you need.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type and is more prevalent among patients who may be overweight or who consume alcohol or tobacco. Some patients find relief from snoring with moderate lifestyle changes that reduce the effects of these common factors. But for many others, professional help is needed to stop snoring and effectively reduce the health risks associated with snoring and OSA.
One of the most common sleep apnea symptoms is snoring, especially loud snoring. Patients suffering from sleep apnea often awaken feeling tired and groggy- as if they didn’t get enough sleep. It can not only interfere with one’s ability to get a good night’s rest but can also lead to more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Common signs of sleep apnea can include:
How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?
The “gold standard” for treating sleep apnea, especially if considered a serious health risk for the patient, is the CPAP. The CPAP is used when sleeping and opens the airway to enable normal breathing. Dr. Thompson offers an alternative to the CPAP for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those intolerant of the CPAP.
Thompson Advanced Dentistry provides oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea and snoring. Oral appliance therapy is a custom mouthguard-like appliance, often called a night guard, worn nightly to address sleep apnea symptoms. A sleep appliance can provide convenient and effective treatment for sleep disorders.
How Does a Sleep Appliance Work?
This special oral appliance, which we use to treat sleep apnea, is designed to reposition the jaw and prevent the collapse of soft tissue in the throat. We take impressions of your teeth to create the custom appliance to fit over your teeth perfectly. This night guard will gently move your lower jaw forward, opening your airway and preventing it from collapsing during sleep. By keeping your airway open, the night guard reduces snoring and alleviates sleep apnea symptoms, allowing you to breathe easier and enjoy a more restful night’s sleep.
NightLase
Additionally, Thompson Advanced Dentistry offers cutting-edge technology to help alleviate airway restriction and prevent snoring through laser technology. The Fotona laser is a noninvasive treatment that uses light energy to stimulate collagen production of the soft palate and tongue to tighten the airway and provide more airway space. You can reassure your partner that a good night’s sleep is only a few NightLase treatments away.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMFT)
Breathing typical stops because something is blocking your upper airway, such as the muscles, tongue, or other body issues. OMFT is an exercise based therapy to help train the muscles of the lips, jaws, and tongue to help support proper function, including breathing. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMFT) can be an effective adjunct treatment for sleep apnea, especially when the condition is mild or moderate. It involves exercises and techniques designed to strengthen and improve the function of the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat, which can help in various ways:
- Strengthening the muscles of the airway: OMFT focuses on improving the tone and function of the muscles around the mouth, throat, and jaw. Strengthening these muscles can help prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep, a key factor in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Improving tongue posture: In many cases of sleep apnea, the tongue may fall back into the throat during sleep, contributing to airway obstruction. OMFT teaches proper tongue posture (keeping the tongue at the roof of the mouth) to reduce this risk and promote better airway stability.
- Correcting oral and facial posture: OMFT addresses improper mouth breathing, which is common in people with sleep apnea. By encouraging nasal breathing and proper oral posture, the therapy can reduce the likelihood of airway blockages.
- Reducing snoring: By improving muscle tone and promoting correct oral posture, OMFT can reduce the vibrations and muscle weakness that contribute to snoring, which is often a sign of sleep apnea.
- Complementary to other treatments: OMFT can be used alongside other treatments for sleep apnea, such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, sleep appliances, or NightLase to enhance their effectiveness and improve overall sleep quality.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect your health and quality of life. Many people don’t realize they have sleep apnea, and it can go undiagnosed for years. Treating sleep apnea is vital because it can lead to more serious problems if ignored. Here, we’ll cover the most common questions people ask about sleep apnea, so you can learn more about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Can sleep apnea occur without snoring?
Yes, sleep apnea can occur without snoring. While loud snoring is a common sign, not everyone with sleep apnea snores. Some people may have pauses in breathing, gasp for air, or wake up feeling tired without making any noise. Other signs include daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or trouble focusing. Sleep apnea can still affect your health even if you don’t snore.
Can sleep apnea be dangerous?
Yes, severe obstructive sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health. The soft tissues collapsing in the back of your throat block off your airway, causing a restriction of airflow to your brain and other organs. Side effects of sleep apnea can also be depression, anxiety, irritability, and others. In addition, long-term issues related to sleep apnea include diabetes, heart disease, and even death.
Am I more at risk for sleep apnea?
Certain factors do put you more at risk for sleep apnea. A family history of sleep apnea, being male, and being older can all contribute to having sleep apnea. Obesity, smoking, and alcohol can all put you at risk for sleep apnea.
Am I at risk for sleep apnea if I’m overweight?
Yes, being overweight will increase your risk of sleep apnea. Extra weight, especially around the neck, can make the airway smaller and harder to keep open during sleep. Smaller airways can lead to pauses in breathing or snoring. But weight isn’t the only factor; age, genetics, and lifestyle can also play a role. If you’re overweight and have symptoms like loud snoring, feeling tired, or waking up suddenly at night, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.
What are the benefits of oral appliance therapy?
The CPAP machine is cumbersome, and many patients can’t find relief. It’s often not comfortable and interrupts sleep because it’s noisy. Oral appliance therapy offers an alternative. It’s much easier to transport and more subtle when you’re traveling. The appliance is similar to a mouthguard and is more comfortable to wear throughout the night. Although, some people are unable to tolerate the mouthguard as well and are candidates for our other alternative treatments. Doing a combination of NightLase and OMFT can help directly address the anatomical problem that is restricting the airway. People of all ages can have varying degrees of sleep apnea that can affect long-term health. Being able to directly address the root of the problem for young kids or adults will set them up for a healthier future.
Can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure?
Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure. With sleep apnea, your breathing stops during sleep leading to a drop in oxygen levels. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure as your body tries to compensate. Over time, the strain on your cardiovascular system may result in hypertension.
Schedule A Screening for Sleep Apnea in Greeley, CO
If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea or have been diagnosed and want to discuss treatment options, schedule a visit with Dr. Thompson in Greeley, CO. He can examine your oral health, discuss your medical history and offer appropriate treatment recommendations.