Nothing helps you feel your best like a good night’s sleep. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea take that away and can affect your health. Main Street Dental Smiles offers oral appliance options to help you sleep well again.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, most often obstructive sleep apnea, is a potentially serious condition in which breathing is disrupted during sleep. Repeated, long pauses in breathing lower the quality of your sleep and the oxygen your body gets, which can lead to other health problems.
Symptoms
Most people with sleep apnea do not know they have it until a partner or roommate notices. Heavy daytime sleepiness is the biggest clue. Other common signs:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Labored breathing, or breathing that stops for up to a minute at a time
- Gasping, choking or snorting during sleep
- Waking with a sore throat or dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Feeling tired and sluggish
- Trouble concentrating and memory problems
- Weight gain not explained by diet or lack of exercise
- Anxiety, irritability, depression and other mood changes
Risk Factors
Heavy snoring, obesity and previous damage to the nose or throat raise the risk. Sleep apnea can be especially serious for people with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or a previous stroke.
Treatment
Sleep doctors usually prescribe CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), a mask that pushes air into the nose to keep breathing steady. Many people find the machine noisy and bulky and do not sleep any better with it.
We offer comfortable alternatives. A mandibular advancement device works much like a mouthguard and holds the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. A soft tissue repositioning appliance is a splint-like device that keeps the tongue in place for the same purpose. Dr. Fort and Dr. Schilling will help you find the option that works for you.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Whitesboro, TX
Learn more about sleep apnea treatment, call (903) 564-3451 or contact us to schedule a consultation.