Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Does your partner complain about your excessive snoring? Do you go through your day feeling groggy and fatigued even though you spent plenty of time in bed? Everyone snores occasionally, but if you’re snoring regularly and losing sleep, you may be suffering from what's known as sleep-disordered breathing. This can include obstructive sleep apnea.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

The most common form of sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, also called OSA. Patients with sleep apnea suffer from an obstructed airflow, which prevents sufficient oxygen from flowing through the mouth and nose. As a result of this restricted breathing, sleep is interrupted as the body forces you to awaken to start breathing again. You may not remember these waking instances, though they can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night.

The duration of each pause in breathing can be just a few seconds, or it can last for a minute or more. The consequence is disturbed sleep patterns and dangerous oxygen deprivation. 

It’s important to note that even though snoring is a common symptom, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?

Common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are:

• Loud, disruptive snoring
• Restless sleep and severe daytime fatigue
• Pauses in breathing
• Irritability, personality change, or difficulty concentrating
• Sore throat or teeth grinding

We work closely with sleep specialists and offer an at-home test that is easy to use. We then share data with the appropriate sleep doctor for evaluation and to receive a recommendation for treatment.

How Does a Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?

The most common traditional treatment for sleep apnea patients is continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP (continuous positive air pressure). It is the gold standard of sleep apnea treatment, and Dr. Katie has helped many patients improve their health with CPAP therapy. In most cases, CPAP is the ideal treatment for sleep apnea.

At Dr. Katie To, Center for Integrative Wellness and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Katie understands that some people have difficulty using the CPAP device. Dr. Katie can address most sleep apnea situations by creating a simple dental appliance that allows the patient to breathe more easily so they can get a good night’s sleep.

Many people find that their custom oral appliance is easy to get used to and that traveling is easier too. It works by gently repositioning the jaw to remove excess tissue and anatomy from the back of the throat.

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

When left untreated, sleep apnea also contributes to a variety of serious health complications:

• Heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Depression
• Headaches
• Increase in ADHD symptoms

By getting the restorative sleep you need, you can improve your overall health and wellness.

Call Today to Get the Relief You Need

Sleep apnea and its symptoms are upsetting and annoying for both sleep apnea patients and their partners. It can also be a scary experience when you suffer from loud snoring and wake yourself up multiple times a night because you're trying to catch your breath.

If you believe you’re experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, please call our Katy dental office. We’ll be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Katie as soon as possible.