Many adults struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes intense snoring, disrupted sleep, and other issues. Fortunately, Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, MI, offers oral appliances that can open up your airways and give you a good night's rest. Why should you consider treating your sleep apnea?
Imagine your life After Sleep Apnea Treatment
No More Snoring
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, members of your household (and certainly your bed partner) probably complain about your snoring. Opening up your airway through dental sleep treatment can be a big favor to yourself and your loved ones.
More Energy
When you fail to get a good night's rest, you have less energy during the day. Daytime sleepiness is the most obvious consequence of sleep apnea, and feeling tired all of the time can lead to irritability, lack of focus, and mental health issues. After treating your sleep apnea, you'll have the energy to take on the day as the best version of yourself.
Improved Health
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with serious health issues like high blood pressure, liver and heart problems, and type 2 diabetes. When you sleep soundly after treating your sleep disorder, your body will have the energy it needs to be at its healthiest, and you can reduce your chances of developing these serious conditions.
The basics of sleep apnea
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is regularly interrupted during sleep. There are two forms of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is a rare condition in which the brain fails to send signals to the body to maintain breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a much more common condition in which the soft tissues of the throat obstruct the upper airway and make breathing difficult. (There is also "complex sleep apnea," in which a patient has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.) At Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, MI, our dentists can help you overcome obstructive sleep apnea.
How Can a Dentist Help?
It may seem surprising that a dentist can help you achieve a better night's rest, but dentists are often the medical professionals best equipped to provide relief from obstructive sleep apnea. Because this sleep disorder is caused by the soft tissues of the throat obstructing the airway, treating the condition can be as easy as moving the jaw slightly forward during the night, removing the obstruction. Our dentists can make an impression or digital scan of your bite and then create a custom-made oral appliance, similar to a mouth guard. It will change the position of your jaw during sleep, allowing air to flow more freely through your upper airway.
Sleep Apnea Is a Common Condition
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, nearly 30 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea.
Ready for Relief from Sleep Apnea?
Contact Bailey Dental Group Today
Dr. Cynthia Bailey and Dr. Tess Marie Finley at Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, MI, are happy to help patients achieve more restful nights and a better quality of life through sleep apnea treatment. By seeking treatment from our experienced doctors, you can reduce your daytime sleepiness and your chances of developing serious health issues like high blood pressure.
The first step towards overcoming obstructive sleep apnea is to schedule a consultation at our modern, friendly offices. During a consultation, our dentists will ask about your symptoms and either set up a sleep study or make a model of your bite so they can craft a custom-made appliance just for you.
Scheduling a consultation with us is easy. You can fill out our online form, or give us a call at (586) 800-2250.
Not sure if you have obstructive sleep apnea?
Common Symptoms
If you are unsure whether your sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, consider whether you experience the following symptoms:
- Loud Snoring
- Fitful Sleep
- Irritability
- Gasping for Air During the Night
- Dry Mouth When You Wake Up
- Headache When You Wake Up
Who is likely to have obstructive sleep apnea?
Common Risk Factors
Men
Men have been found to be at least twice as likely as women to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
Overweight People
Excess fat tissue around the neck can place pressure on your airway during the night.
Smokers
Smoking can harm your upper airway by increasing inflammation and your risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
How Can We Diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Often, our dentists in Richmond, MI, can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea based on a patient's account of their symptoms and an examination of their upper airway. In other cases, usually when extreme symptoms are present, our doctors may suggest a patient undergo a sleep study.
A sleep study is exactly what it sounds like. As you sleep overnight, special equipment monitors your breathing and other functions to help identify the nature of your sleep disorder. After a sleep study, a doctor can confidently diagnose you with central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, or some other sleep disorder.
Some sleep studies can be completed at your own home, while others take place at specialized facilities. For more information on sleep studies, please contact our Richmond office.
What About CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most commonly prescribed method of treating obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP machines deliver a constant stream of air pressure into your upper airway through a mask, which keeps your airways open throughout the night.
CPAP is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. However, many adults with sleep apnea grow frustrated with CPAP for many reasons, including:
- CPAP masks can be uncomfortable and difficult to keep on for an entire night.
- CPAP machines make noise that can keep a bed partner up at night.
- CPAP machines can be difficult to travel with.
Sleep apnea sufferers who are tired of continuous positive airway pressure machines can benefit greatly from trying oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances like the ones available at our practice in Richmond, MI, are comfortable, discreet, and easily portable. To find out if you qualify for this alternative to CPAP, contact us today.
Financing Options Available
Are you looking for relief from sleep apnea, but worried about your budget? We will work with you to make this form of dentistry as affordable as possible.