Do you have excessive daytime sleepiness? Does your partner snore loudly every night? You may need sleep apnea treatment in our Silver Spring, MD office. Sleep apnea is when the soft tissue at the back of your throat collapses while you sleep. This obstructs your airway during sleep.
Though this phenomenon occurs intermittently and is not acutely life-threatening, repeated episodes can contribute to serious health issues. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and sleep-disordered breathing are growing health concerns. They can have a negative impact on your overall health and quality of life.
Our dentists can treat sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea will improve your sleep, reduce related health risks, and restore lost energy and focus. Finding the right solution for your sleep apnea can be as simple as visiting our dental office.
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy help patients with sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing. Dechter and Moy Dentistry in Silver Spring addresses mild to moderate symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with oral appliance therapy.
The CPAP machine is the “gold standard” of Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. Most doctors recommend it for severe cases. However, oral appliance therapy is highly effective in patients with milder symptoms or are intolerant to the CPAP system. Sleep disorder treatment is part of our dental concerns.
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
Because sleep apnea presents while an individual is asleep, you may not easily recognize that you have it. The partners of these patients might report loud snoring or brief periods of breathing cessation during the night.
You may have sleep apnea if you wake up gasping in the middle of the night. Grogginess or difficulty concentrating during the day is also a major sign. You should contact a medical professional if these symptoms seem familiar.
Sleep apnea can affect patients of all ages, even young children. But we will screen for the common oral signs of sleep apnea at your routine visits. We can also coordinate further testing with your physician.
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy have successfully treated many patients with this disorder. Some even report almost instant results after a few trials.
Common risk factors of sleep apnea include:
- Male gender
- Overweight, obese
- Fast weight gain in a short amount of time
- Large neck circumference
- Large tonsils
- Snoring
- Diabetic
- High blood pressure
- Over the age of 40
If you are at risk for sleep apnea, schedule a consultation and discuss your concerns with us. We can help determine whether you need further diagnosis and treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder could be life-saving. Sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders can cause you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep and deprive vital organs of oxygen. This impacts your daily life and overall health over time.
The common signs of having a sleep disorder can include:
- Snoring, often loud
- Waking up gasping for air
- Feeling groggy in the morning or sleepy during the day
- Irritable, moodiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth in the morning
What Treatment Can I Find at the Dentist?
Many doctors recommend the use of a CPAP machine. This system involves a mask you wear over your nose or mouth that forces air into your airways as you sleep. But some patients do not tolerate this machine.
Patients with mild sleep apnea can discuss other treatment options with our dentist. Our dentists can provide a custom-made oral appliance for mild sleep apnea cases. You will need to wear the oral appliance overnight. This small device will keep your jaw in alignment. The back of your throat will not collapse and block your airway while you sleep.
After you get a home sleep test and your doctor finds that you have mild to moderate symptoms of sleep apnea we will recommend oral appliances.
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
An oral appliance that treats sleep apnea can alleviate symptoms and minimize health risks often associated with a sleep disorder. Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy can create a custom-fit oral appliance that fits in your mouth. This small device is similar to a mouthguard.
You can get a custom sleep appliance in two office visits. We will take impressions of your teeth at your first visit to send to a lab. In the lab, technicians will create your appliance from high-quality plastic materials.
Once the appliance is complete, you will return to our office for a fitting. Our oral appliances fit much like a mouthguard, too. But they allow you to speak and drink fluids while they’re in place. The best part is that you only have to wear them at night while you sleep!
The sleep apnea oral appliance is easy to transport, comfortable, and more discreet than a CPAP machine. Patients who qualify for an oral appliance are often more compliant with usage.
How to Clean Sleep Appliances
You should clean your appliance before every use to prevent bacterial buildup and keep it fresh. Gently brush the appliance with cool to lukewarm water and soap. You can also soak your appliance in denture cleaner once a week for a deep clean. Put your appliance in its case when not in use.
Are There Risks of Oral Appliance Therapy?
No, oral appliance therapy is safe and effective for most patients. Our dentists construct oral appliances with your unique smile in mind. So you can be sure that the device will fit securely in your mouth while you sleep. You can rest comfortably and not have to worry about the appliance slipping out of place at night.
Oral appliance therapy does not carry health risks. But your health can get worse if you can’t treat sleep apnea because of an intolerance of the CPAP machine.
Patients with sleep apnea have higher risks. Persistent interrupted breathing and a low-quality of sleep can increase the chance of heart and cognitive issues.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Learn more about sleep apnea treatment in our Silver Spring, MD office with answers to these questions:
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
The life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea can vary based on a few factors. The severity of your specific case, your overall health, and compliance with the treatment will have an effect.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. it can lead to many health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even accidents.
Lifestyle changes, treatment, and other interventions can improve the life expectancy of patients with sleep apnea. With proper management, individuals with sleep apnea can expect to enjoy a full and productive life.
How can I fix sleep apnea naturally?
Patients can attempt to treat sleep apnea from home. The best way to stop sleep apnea is to exercise and stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight could make your sleep apnea much worse. Yoga is a good way to open the airway and reduce sleep apnea.
Consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of sleep apnea. Minimize the risks and maximize your treatment results at Dechter and Moy Dentistry.
What is the best position to sleep with sleep apnea?
With sleep apnea, it is best to sleep on your side. Doctors recommend that patients sleep on their right side because it increases blood circulation and can reduce snoring.
If you think you have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment in Silver Spring, MD. We will conduct a sleep study or partner with your doctor to help you.
Can I have sleep apnea without snoring?
While snoring is common in obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea often occurs without it. Even some cases of obstructive sleep apnea may not involve noticeable snoring. Other symptoms like daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and waking up at night can be signs of sleep apnea. Contact our office today for an exam if you have sleep apnea.
Does sleep apnea affect testosterone?
Yes, sleep apnea can affect testosterone levels. Poor sleep quality and interruptions in breathing reduce the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Men with sleep apnea often experience lower testosterone levels that can impact energy, mood, and overall health. Sleep apnea treatment can help improve sleep quality and restore normal hormone levels.
Is sleep apnea hereditary?
Obstructive sleep apnea does have a hereditary component, but it’s not solely determined by genetics. Central sleep apnea is usually not considered hereditary. You may be at higher risk if you have a family history of OSA. Lifestyle factors also play a crucial role in its development.
Reduce Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Do you snore? Call Dechter and Moy Dentistry for a custom sleep appliance at (301) 508-9755. You can also schedule an appointment with us online. If you have questions about sleep apnea treatment in our Silver Spring, MD office, let us know at your next visit.