Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Do you feel groggy all day, every day or wake up with headaches on a regular basis? Has your partner told you that you snore at night or gasp for breath while you're sleeping? If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea, a common but serious condition that affects your breathing.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Unfortunately, many people never receive a proper diagnosis for their sleep apnea or seek treatment. However, getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is vital because sleep apnea comes with many health risks, including:
- Higher stroke risk
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
When diagnosing sleep apnea, your doctor or dentist will first ask you what symptoms you're experiencing.
In addition to the symptoms we mentioned above, patients often experience the following:
- Sore throat or dry mouth upon waking
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping through the night
- Confusion or inability to focus during the day
If you suspect sleep apnea, please contact your physician or our helpful team. Dr. Jeremy Jones, DMD, is a skilled dentist and Dawson Academy-trained dental professional who can diagnose and treat your sleep apnea at Dentistry of Fishers.
To diagnose sleep apnea, we may use:
A Home Sleep Study
We can send a portable device home with you to track your respiratory efforts and airflow during sleep. The data this device collects can be used to diagnose sleep apnea.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
With the advanced 3-D images created by a CBCT, Dr. Jones can check to see if you have dental problems that could cause sleep apnea, which can aid in diagnosing your problem.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when your airway collapses during sleep, disrupting your breathing. It's possible for someone with sleep apnea to stop breathing tens or even hundreds of times over the course of one night.
The airway collapses for different reasons, but you may be at a higher risk of you're overweight. Males are also more likely to experience sleep apnea symptoms than females, and those with a family history of sleep apnea should be especially careful.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Fishers
Once we have diagnosed your sleep apnea, or if you come to us with a prior diagnosis, we can begin treatment. Dr. Jones often uses oral appliances as a non-invasive sleep apnea treatment in our Fishers dental office.
An oral appliance fits in the mouth, similar to a night guard. We design the device to hold your jaw forward in a position that prevents the airway from collapsing when you're asleep.
We have successfully treated many cases of sleep apnea with oral appliances, and if you're suffering from sleep apnea, we urge you to contact us for assistance.
There's no need to live with untreated sleep apnea, and we're here to help.
Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Jones
Reach out to our friendly team of dental professionals today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Jones. We can help you diagnose and treat your sleep apnea so you can enjoy a healthier, happier life with more energy.
