Sleep Apnea – Wayland, MA
Solutions for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Loud snoring can be a nuisance for other nearby sleepers, but it may also be a sign that you’re suffering from sleep apnea. This is a common sleep disorder that can not only leave you feeling more tired than normal but can also have severe consequences for your dental health.
Dr. Putt
,
Dr. Dines
,
Dr. Braga
, and the rest of our team at Wayland Dental can help you find a solution for your sleep apnea. As such, give us a
call
if you’re concerned about the quality of your slumber.
Why Choose Wayland Dental for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Fully Customized Oral Appliances
- Multiple Dental Experts in One Location
- Welcoming Practice with Convenient Hours
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person suffers repeated pauses in their breathing while they’re asleep. There are three major forms of sleep apnea with the most common one being obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airways become blocked by relaxed muscles in the throat.
One of the things that makes sleep apnea so dangerous is that many people don’t even realize that they have it. You should therefore familiarize yourself with the potential warning signs of sleep apnea, which can include:
- Snoring loudly.
- Occasionally waking up while gasping for air.
- Constantly feeling tired.
- Headaches, especially in the morning.
- Memory problems.
- Mood swings.
These symptoms alone may not necessarily guarantee that you have sleep apnea. As such, a sleep test will need to be performed so that the underlying problem can be accurately diagnosed.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can actively prevent you from getting enough quality sleep, and the resulting exhaustion can make you more prone to life-threatening accidents at work and on the road. Your overall quality of life can potentially suffer as well due to having a harder time remembering things or potentially struggling with symptoms of depression.
In the long term, people with sleep apnea are more likely to experience dangerous health issues such as heart attacks, diabetes, and strokes. The disorder could also potentially raise the risk of pre-term birth in pregnant women.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Once your sleep apnea has been diagnosed by an expert, your next step is to figure out the best way to treat it. In many cases, a CPAP machine can be used to help you maintain an unblocked airway while you slumber. However, this option is not for everyone; not only do CPAP machines make a lot of noise, but some individuals find them too uncomfortable to use.
Our practice is proud to offer CPAP-intolerant patients an alternative: personalized oral appliances. The purpose of an oral appliance is to reposition your mouth in a way that helps keep the airways clear, thus preventing sleep apnea episodes. Some oral appliances can also help keep the tongue in place so that it doesn’t collapse and block the flow of air.
Do you have sleep apnea and think an oral appliance might help you enjoy more restful nights? Schedule a consultation with our team today.