Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs in patients whose mouth and pharynx muscles become too relaxed while sleeping. When these muscles become too relaxed, the tongue begins to prevent the appropriate amount of air from reaching your lungs. This is why many patients who suffer from sleep apnea will wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air.
The inability to maintain even and constant breathing while sleeping is most commonly caused by obstructive sleep apnea This type of apnea occurs when the airways located in the back of your throat become blocked. As a result of this blockage, many patients develop extremely loud snoring, shortness of breath, or have chronic feelings of lethargy or restlessness, because they are not able to relax and sleep as deeply as they need to.
At John T. Green DDS Inc., we are committed to helping you feel well-rested and providing you with the specialized treatment you need to improve your oral and general health. Our office offers a wide range of services, from cosmetic to restorative dentistry. From Dayton to across the country and internationally, we welcome all patients to experience outstanding customer service and tailored treatment plans. If you are scheduled for an appointment to treat sleep apnea, or if you would like to ask our staff any questions about sleep apnea or schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We would like to invite in for an at- home sleep apnea screening today!
CALL (937) 293-3402
800 Shroyer Rd. Dayton, OH 45419
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
There are several common signs associated with sleep apnea, but the most common are:
- Extremely loud snoring
- Waking up multiple times in the night
- Chronic morning headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Extremely dry mouth when waking
- Memory loss or brain fog
- Waking up gasping for air
- Depression, mood swings, and other mood disorders
- Falling asleep during the day or never quite being able to wake up
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Many people assume sleep apnea is simply an annoyance with no real health consequences, but this could not be further from the truth. Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk for many serious issues, including:
- Chronic Headaches
- Depression
- Diminished Sex Drive
- Fatigue
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Memory Loss
- Obesity
- Stroke
Given the severity of some of these issues, it is incredibly important that you do not ignore issues related to sleep apnea and schedule an appointment today to discuss possible treatment options with your dentist.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for addressing sleep apnea, some of which are designed to lessen the symptoms, while others are designed to address the primary root cause.
- Change in Lifestyle Habits: Although this is generally the least popular option, the truth is that your overall health and daily habits are the leading causes in developing and curing your sleep apnea. If you would prefer to avoid surgery or dental appliance interventions, being more mindful of your diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and exercising frequently will not only do wonders to improve your sleep apnea, but will dramatically improve your overall health and wellbeing.
- CPAP Machine: Perhaps the most common intervention for sleep apnea is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine) machine, which is essentially a mask that fits over your mouth and nose at night that effectively keeps your airways open while you sleep. The CPAP machine is an effective intervention in improving sleep apnea, however many people find wearing it to be uncomfortable.
- Oral Appliances: For those who would prefer avoiding the use of a CPAP machine, there are also several oral appliances that are less cumbersome. If you are interested in learning more about these appliances and seeing if having one custom made for you is your best option, talk to your dentist.
- Surgery: While it is generally best to avoid unnecessary surgery, there are available procedures that are effective in widening a patient’s breathing passageways. We do encourage making lifestyle changes before going this route, but if you would like to learn more about this option, our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Cost of Treating Sleep Apnea
The final cost of treating sleep apnea will be determined by a variety of factors, such as the severity of your case and what type of dental plan you are currently enrolled in. Our office does accept cash, most major credit cards, money orders, and personal checks.
If you have concerns about the extent of care required and would like to discuss alternate financial arrangements, please feel free to contact our office to discuss CareCredit. CareCredit helps patients pay for procedures and treatments that are not covered by insurance by offering low minimum monthly payments and No Interest* financing so you can get what you want, when you want it. Applying for Care Credit only takes three simple steps and can provide instant approval.
If you have any additional questions regarding payments, dental insurance coverage, or available financial options, please contact our office and we will be happy to help.
For Beautiful, Healthy Smiles, Contact Us Today!
At John T. Green DDS Inc., we believe a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, which is why we provide an array of dental treatments to cater to health as well as aesthetics. Our practice utilizes world-class labs that create customized restorations to restore the structure and beauty of your teeth. We take the time to explain and educate our patients about the importance of health care and answer any questions you may have about treatment so you can make the best decision for your smile.
With his attention-to-detail for providing high aesthetic results to restoring the health of patients’ teeth and gums, at John T. Green DDS Inc you are in experienced hands. Take your first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile today and schedule an appointment by contacting our office by phone at 937.293.3402 or fill out our online form.