How Do Dentists Treat Sleep Apnea?

People with normal sleeping patterns fear nightmares, but for people diagnosed with sleep apnea in Kissimmee, they fear that they might get a heart attack or a stroke. Who would have thought sleeping could cause medical problems? Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes you to experience pauses in breathing while sleeping. Although there is no cure to sleep apnea, several studies show that it can be reversed, and the symptoms can be managed.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

What Is Sleep Apnea?

A person with sleep apnea experiences temporary pauses in breathing or shallow breathing while sleeping. The breathing cessation can last from a couple of seconds to several minutes and repeatedly occurs every hour during sleep.  

Consequently, it disrupts the normal sleeping pattern. Sleep apnea is categorized into two main types: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).  

With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the cause of the breathing cessation is an airway blockage. Meanwhile, with Central Sleep Apnea, the brain fails to signal your muscles to breathe. The condition can turn serious if left untreated. Studies show that sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.  

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:

• Loud snoring: When you snore loudly and persistently, you could have sleep apnea.
• Gasping or choking during sleep: As a result of temporarily halted breathing, people with sleep apnea may choke in their sleep.  
• Excessive daytime sleepiness: Even after getting a good night’s sleep, people with sleep apnea may feel fatigued during the day.
• Difficulty falling asleep: Individuals suffering from sleep apnea may have trouble staying asleep or falling asleep.
• Morning headaches: If you often wake up with headaches in the morning, you could have sleep apnea.
• Sore throat or dry mouth: Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat could indicate sleep apnea.
• Awakening with shortness of breath (SOB)
• Restlessness: People with sleep apnea may move and toss and turn during sleep.  

It's worth mentioning that not everyone with sleep apnea will experience all of these symptoms. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor.  

How Can Your Dentist Help with Sleep Apnea?

Although sleep apnea doesn’t have a cure, it can be managed. The treatment method depends on your type of sleep apnea and its severity. Some of the potential treatments for sleep apnea include conservative treatments and positive airway pressure, and adaptive ventilation devices.  

Conservative Treatment Methods

You can start with nonmedical treatments to see if the condition resolves. These methods do not promise to cure sleep apnea, but they reduce episodes to the point where it doesn’t happen anymore. Examples of conservative treatment methods are the following:

• Weight loss: Studies show that reducing your body weight by up to ten percent can significantly improve sleep apnea.  
• Changing positions: People who sleep on their backs are more likely to experience sleep apnea. You can use support pillows to keep you off your back.  

Positive Airway Pressure and Adaptive Ventilation

Positive airway pressure is a strategy used in managing sleep apnea. It uses a device to boost the air pressure inside your airway during inhalation. It’s a powerful method that can treat central and obstructive sleep apnea.  

Do You Need Sleep Apnea in Kissimmee Treatment?  

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, visit us. At Kissimmee Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of dental treatments, including treatment plans for sleep apnea. Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art tools to provide you with the best care. Contact us to request an appointment.