According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, an estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and only about 20 percent of those obstructive sleep apnea cases are actually diagnosed. What many people may not know about this condition is that, although it seems like a mere inconvenience, it can actually have a drastic impact on your physical and mental health. At Mind Your Mouth, we are proud to offer customized sleep apnea treatment as one of our many services for South Portland, ME patients. Get in touch with us to discover how you can start getting the rest you deserve.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing while a person is asleep. These pauses, called apneas, can occur dozens or even hundreds of times in a single night. Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when tissues in the throat block the flow of air. A much smaller number of people suffer from central sleep apnea (CSA), which happens when the brain fails to send necessary breathing signals. Rarely, a person may have both types of sleep apnea (a condition known as mixed sleep apnea).
While sleep apnea might seem like it is not a big deal, it can have devastating consequences for both your health and your daily quality of life:
If you find yourself frequently waking up throughout the night gasping for air or feeling regularly fatigued even after getting a full eight hours of sleep, visit our dental office to get to the bottom of what is going on. We offer at-home sleep testing that is a convenient, easy, and cost-effective way to find out why you feel the way you do. Essentially, it is a small breathing monitor that tracks your breath and oxygen levels throughout the night to provide a sleep specialist with enough information to assess your condition.
Once you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, our team will take all of the information we know and use that to construct a customized treatment plan. At Mind Your Mouth, we use ProSomnus and SomnoMed oral appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea, so patients will not need to use a noisy and uncomfortable CPAP machine. Our appliances are specially designed mouthguards that you use at night to keep your airway open so you can get all the oxygen your body needs throughout your rest period.
The ProSomnus oral appliance is designed with patient comfort in mind. It is one of the smallest treatment options, so it leaves space for your tongue to rest comfortably during sleep. Its two-piece construction lends itself to a precise fit.
The SomnoDent sleep apnea appliance from SomnoMEd is a premium treatment option that is custom fitted to each individual patient. Soon after you begin using it, you may begin to notice that snoring and related symptoms are no longer plaguing you. Just like the ProSomnus appliance, it is a fantastic CPAP alternative.
Dr. Parét and our team are passionate about helping patients find freedom from the dangers and inconveniences created by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Before you schedule a consultation with us, though, you may want to learn more about this condition and how it is treated. To assist you, we have compiled the following list of FAQs. If you do not see your specific concerns addressed, please reach out to us directly.
At first, it may seem odd that a dentist could offer sleep apnea treatment. However, it is important to keep in mind that dentists are experts in much more than just the teeth. They are intimately familiar with facial anatomy and the structures in the upper airway. Dentists are therefore uniquely qualified to design oral appliances that can correctly reposition the lower jaw to allow for uninterrupted sleep.
Plus, because you should regularly visit your dentist anyway, you have a convenient, built-in appointment where you can express concerns about the quality of your sleep and receive guidance on how to find relief.
No. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. Snoring is nothing more than the sound that is created when air brushes past tissues in the airway. By itself, it is harmless. However, it is often connected to OSA because the same tissues that vibrate during snoring can periodically block the airway and cause apneas (periods of not breathing). Frequent, loud snoring is often a big sign that OSA is present.
If you are concerned that your snoring, or that of your partner, is a sign of OSA, you should seek proper testing so you can start to explore treatment options.
Even if you are exhibiting symptoms of OSA, that does not mean you have it. Even data from an Apple Watch or another smart device is not enough to diagnose OSA (even though such information can alert you to the need for professional care). It is important to undergo a sleep test so an expert can analyze your vital signs while you are asleep.
Being overweight is a major risk factor for OSA. That is because excess fat around the throat and abdomen can interfere with breathing and increase the risk of nighttime respiratory problems. Some patients can significantly reduce or even eliminate their OSA symptoms after losing as little as 5 – 10% of their body weight.
Of course, losing weight is not a guarantee that your sleep apnea will go away. OSA can be caused by numerous issues, some of which are entirely unrelated to body weight and composition.
Remember that with CPAP therapy, the machine will physically force air through your airways while you wear the mask throughout the night. However, while the treatment is incredibly effective, only about 50% of patients who are prescribed CPAP therapy ever use it! In many mild to moderate sleep apnea cases, an oral appliance can be used to replace the CPAP machine. Still, if your situation is more severe, then an oral appliance may not work as effectively by itself. Consult your sleep doctor and dentist to determine the best treatment to help you get the rest you need.
Around 1-8% of all children indeed experience sleep apnea. Even so, kids who struggle with this condition may also have different symptoms compared to adults. These can involve complications such as sleep terrors, bed-wetting, inability to focus, attention or learning problems, and hyperactivity. If you have a child or a loved one who might be experiencing interrupted sleeping, they should follow the same process as adults, which is to visit a sleep doctor for a sleep study to determine the best treatment based on their needs.
If you’re using a CPAP machine for your sleep apnea therapy, it may take some time to grow accustomed to wearing the mask throughout the night. This is especially because the machine is quite loud, especially for light sleepers. By wearing an oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you should expect better sleep right away. Still, it could take a night or two to get used to having it in your mouth. The only way to know for certain if your treatment is working is to undergo another sleep test. Also, if you notice your symptoms are reducing or subsiding, then this is a great sign!
There are certainly many products that can potentially help you sleep and relax more, such as essential oils and weighted blankets. Even so, oral appliance or CPAP therapy will typically have a greater impact on the quality of your sleep than anything else. If you’re struggling with this condition, you’ll have to address the fundamental issue by opening up your airways, either with an oral appliance or a CPAP machine. Until you receive these devices, try avoiding looking at your phone just before bed, and make sure to exercise and be active during the day to help you sleep much more easily.
As many are aware, self-diagnosing if you have sleep apnea can be quite difficult. The most obvious symptoms occur when you are fast asleep. Our provided STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Assessment is an easy and quick way to let us know how likely you are to have the disorder. Just complete the questionnaire below, and once you have submitted your answers, our team will evaluate them and be in contact you. If we believe that you are at risk of having sleep apnea, we will invite you in for a consultation.
