Sleep apnea is a frighteningly common disorder, impacting an estimated 1 in 5 males and almost as many females. Marked by periods where you quite literally stop breathing during normal sleep cycles, symptoms of sleep apnea may include:
-
Loud snoring
-
Choking or gasping for air
-
Restlessness
-
Feeling fatigued upon waking
-
Waking with dry mouth
-
Grinding during sleep
-
Headaches and Migraines
Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include waking with a sore throat, memory and concentration problems, and mood swings. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact our Georgetown sleep apnea dentists online or by calling (512) 819-9100 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
There are two basic types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea is typically caused by underlying medical issues and is far less common. Obstructive sleep apnea, often just called OSA, may have many more underlying causes. These include:
-
Obesity
-
A sedentary lifestyle
-
Tobacco use
-
Excessive alcohol consumption
-
Narcotic use
-
Genetic factors
OSA accounts for roughly 80% of all sleep apnea cases and, when left untreated, can lead to serious or even fatal complications. New research has found that OSA increases risks for heart attack and stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and mental health problems including aggression and depression. The best way to avoid these more serious complications is to seek treatment for OSA as soon as you recognize its symptoms.
Georgetown sleep apnea dentists Dr. Mark, Dr. Devin, and Dr. Chandler understand the dangers of untreated OSA and other sleep apnea dental issues. We are prepared to work swiftly to help you find a solution for your condition that can assist in reducing your risks for serious complications.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Many cases of sleep apnea benefit from CPAP treatment. CPAP uses machinery to force air into the nose or mouth via tubes or facemasks. While necessary when breath cessation is linked to a medical condition, this method is both obtrusive and overly aggressive for most early and moderate cases of OSA. In fact, many people struggling with OSA find CPAP interferes with sleep even more than the condition alone.
Our dentists provide alternative sleep apnea treatments including customized oral devices that can help keep airways open and airflow unobstructed without intrusive tubing, loud machinery, or forced air. Comfortable and fully customized to your mouth, these devices have a proven efficacy and long history of successfully treating OSA and chronic snoring. In the more severe conditions a combination of the oral appliance with CPAP may prove to be your most effective solution.
During your sleep apnea treatment consultation, we will discuss lifestyle changes in addition to traditional therapies to help ensure you understand all that may be required to reduce your risks for fatal complications and restore a restful and complete night’s sleep.
Contact Our Experienced Sleep Apnea Dentists for Diagnosis & Treatment
To schedule your free sleep apnea treatment consultation, please contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Georgetown today. Call (512) 819-9100 today or fill out the form in our contact page. We provide customized OSA treatment for men, women, and children living in Georgetown and all surrounding areas of Texas.
