Improving Sleep for Better Life Quality
If you’re concerned about your excessive snoring or that of your loved one, our dental team at Cool Dental in Lethbridge can help.
We’ll work with you to identify the cause of the problem. We'll look into suitable treatment options, such as using oral appliances.
Snoring may not be serious if it only happens once in a while. But if you’re snoring heavily, this can already be a sign of a health issue.
Without proper sleep, you feel exhausted and sleepy throughout the day. Your partner and anyone sleeping nearby may also experience sleep deprivation.
All these combined can affect your relationships, health, and everyday living.
What is Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing pauses.
The pauses can each last for a few seconds to more than a minute. They occur due to the blocked air passageway. When your breathing stops, your sleep also gets interrupted. This results in poor sleep quality.
Snoring is the main symptom of sleep apnea. There are two types of sleep apnea - Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It happens when the soft tissue in the throat relaxes too much, it already blocks the airway during sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), meanwhile, occurs when the brain does not send signals to the muscles to breathe.
Risk Factors
Here are some of the factors that can increase your risk for sleep apnea.
- Age. Sleep apnea is more common among adults ages 40 and above.
- Gender. Men are twice to thrice more likely to develop sleep apnea.
- Family History. Your risk can also increase if you have family members experiencing sleep apnea.
- Excess weight. Obesity can also contribute to sleep apnea. Excess fat around your upper airway can interfere with your breathing.
- Smoking. People who smoke are also more likely to develop OSA than those who do not.
- Alcohol intake. Alcohol can cause the throat muscles to over-relax.
- Nasal congestion. Difficulty in breathing through the nose can also contribute to sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
- Sleepiness or exhaustion during the day
- Morning headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Forgetfulness
- Mood changes
- Insomnia
Treatments for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
You need to treat snoring and sleep apnea so you can get quality sleep. Also, sleep apnea is a serious disorder that can increase your risk of developing heart diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Here at our Lethbridge dental office, Dr. Lachman performs routine dental checkups to examine your mouth for decay, gum diseases, and other potential health issues. If you’re experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, we may refer you to a sleep specialist.
If the sleep apnea is caused by a misaligned jaw, we’ll recommend using a custom dental appliance. This device can correct the position of the jaw and tongue to prevent blockage and help improve airflow while you sleep.
We’ll be taking impressions of your mouth to ensure the proper fit of the device. A sleep apnea dental appliance looks similar to an athletic mouthguard, but its purpose is to help minimize your snoring. When airflow isn't obstructed, you’ll be able to sleep properly and wake up fully rested.
We may also recommend other treatment methods, depending on your case. This includes making simple changes to your lifestyle or updating your dental home care routine.
How Will I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?
Some patients aren’t aware they have sleep apnea until they undergo comprehensive exams. We encourage you to book an appointment with our Lethbridge dentist, Dr. Lachman for a check-up.
Whether you need help with your snoring or are looking for further information about sleep apnea, we can help. Call our dental team today at