Did you know that heavy snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea? As part of our integrative dentistry approach, the team at Brentwood Dental Designs is trained in snoring and sleep apnea treatment to help our patients get a good night’s sleep again. Snoring and sleep apnea are associated with the mouth, which is why we offer dental appliances for our patients.
Snoring
Does your partner’s snoring keep you awake at night, or does your own snoring jerk you awake in the middle of the night? While snoring may seem mildly annoying, it can also be a sign of a very serious condition: sleep apnea.
Snoring happens when the muscles at the back of the throat and mouth become too relaxed. The relaxed muscles make the airway smaller, and create a vibration when you breathe in and out. Snoring can also be caused by:
- Drinking alcohol.
- Using sedatives or other sleep aids.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Being overweight.
If you need to stop snoring, we can fit you with a mandibular advancement device, which we sometimes refer to as MAD. The device will hold your lower jaw forward while you sleep, creating extra room in your airway to help eliminate snoring. MAD is comfortable, natural, and can help you get your energy back by helping you sleep better.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for short periods of time during sleep. As a result, the patient can lose valuable oxygen and energy due to the lack of a complete REM cycle.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
You may be more at risk for sleep apnea if you:
- Are male.
- Are over 40.
- Drink alcohol.
- Smoke.
- Have a thick neck or excessive weight.
- Have nasal congestion.
- Have a narrow airway.
If you snore loudly and think you might be losing sleep due to sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to call!
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The following symptoms may indicate a sleeping disorder:
- Waking with a choking or gasping sensation.
- Excessive fatigue or sleepiness during the day.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Memory loss.
- Heart problems, including stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Mood swings or irritability.
If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, contact us to find out about CPAP alternatives and how to stop snoring.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
We coordinate with a sleep center located just down the road. With their tests and diagnosis, Brentwood Dental Designs is able to create a treatment plan that works perfectly for you.
For our patients diagnosed with sleep apnea, we offer a dental device that you can use while you sleep. The appliance looks like a mouth guard and provides obstructive sleep apnea treatment by holding the jaw open while you sleep.
If you are looking for CPAP alternatives, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) can eliminate the need for a mask and machine. The CPAP can be noisy and uncomfortable, but the MAD has no wires and can be worn in any sleeping position.
Along with a dental appliance, we also offer Nightlase, a laser treatment for your airway. We use the Fotona Lightwalker dental laser to gently tighten up the tissues near the back of your throat. This causes increased space for free breathing and decreases snoring.
Sleep Apnea Solutions in Seacoast
Don’t hesitate to call us today to schedule an appointment! Our team is experienced in sleep apnea treatment with dental devices that can help you stop snoring, so you can sleep through the night again!
