Sleep Apnea Treatments At Always About Smiles

Sleep Apnea: Diagnosis, Treatments, And Other Alternatives

Sleep apnea is incredibly common affecting roughly 1 in 5 Americans – despite this, it’s actually one of the most underdiagnosed and undetected conditions among patients.

What sounds like harmless snoring could be an indicator of a more serious problem. If left untreated, sleep apnea could lead to chronic sleeping and breathing problems; or worse, stroke and heart failure!

Thankfully, we can work in collaboration with your medical specialist to find a dental treatment option should you find that conventional sleep apnea solutions do not work for you. At Always About Smiles, we’re confident that we can help you manage this persistent condition with innovative solutions.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that stops your breathing as you sleep. This happens when the tongue and throat muscles relax excessively, creating a blockage in your airway.

Several factors increase your risk of sleep apnea, including:

• Obesity
• Oral anatomy
• Genetic predisposition
• Smoking
• Sleep position
• Congestion
• Hormonal imbalance
• Lifestyle

What Are The Warning Signs Of Sleep Apnea?

If your partner or family members express concern about your snoring, you shouldn’t rule out sleep apnea as a potential cause. You should see a sleep specialist or dentist if you experience:

• Gasping
• Choking
• Loud snoring or snorting
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Irritability
• Respiratory problems
• Irregular sleep

As symptoms worsen, interrupted sleep cycles can affect your overall health and sense of well-being. That’s why it’s essential to see a dentist to help begin the process of diagnosing sleep apnea.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed & Treated?

Medical sleep centers are the only authorities that can truly diagnose patients with sleep apnea. That’s why we work closely with certified sleep specialists to accurately identify the causes of your apnea.

Many cases of sleep apnea will require CPAP machines to introduce positive airflow from the mouth to the lungs. However, most patients find this solution to be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and expensive.

As an alternative to CPAP machines, oral appliances are much easier to use and less invasive. Oral appliances are placed inside your mouth while you sleep. They work by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward which opens the airway.

We also recommend combining sleep apnea treatments with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. This may significantly improve your body’s ability to resolve your sleeping problems naturally.

Always About Smiles: Treat Sleep Apnea Without A CPAP Machine

Whether you’re looking to get treated or diagnosed, we’ll be happy to help you at Always About Smiles. Our dental team works with trusted sleep specialists to provide the best sleep apnea treatments in Bethlehem, PA.

Get in touch with us today to consult with Dr. Lambert and our team of compassionate dental assistants.