Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects more than 18 million Americans and unfortunately it’s often taken lightly. That’s why here at Lakeside Dental Care, we take sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment very seriously. We proudly offer sleep apnea treatment services to our patients in Orange Park and the surrounding area, dedicated to providing quality services without cutting corners or sacrificing care.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can have a serious impact on physical and mental health. The most common yet life-threatening symptom of sleep apnea is excessive snoring, which causes sleepers to experience recurrent pauses in breathing. This disruption in sleep often leads to tiredness, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating during the day. In some cases, sleep apnea can raise the risk of heart attack or stroke when left untreated. Consequently, it is important to get diagnosed if you or someone you know has symptoms consistent with sleep apnea. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for improving one’s quality of life.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Excessive daytime sleepiness
One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness. This means that you may feel tired during the day even if you have gotten a full night’s sleep. You may find yourself nodding off during the day or falling asleep at work or school.
Loud snoring
Loud snoring is another common symptom of sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, your snoring may be so loud that it wakes up your partner or roommate. You may also find that your snoring is worse when you are lying on your back.
Gasping for air at night
If you have sleep apnea, you may find yourself gasping for air at night. This can be a sign that your breathing is being interrupted while you sleep.
Waking up with a headache
Waking up with a headache is another common symptom of sleep apnea. This is caused by the lack of oxygen that occurs when your breathing is interrupted during sleep.
Nightguards
Treating sleep apnea often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and losing weight, however, dental nightguards are an effective way to address the issue. Our Lakeside Dental Care professionals have years of experience making custom mouthguards that comfortably help open airways while sleeping. Studies indicate that wearing a well-fitted nightguard during sleep can reduce snoring and other sleep apnea symptoms so patients can enjoy a full, restful night’s sleep. Custom-made nightguards are also great for individuals who grind their teeth at night. This added layer of protection has benefitted many of our patients.
Airway Therapy
Fortunately, many dental practices offer sleep apnea treatment, which can help treat this issue. But for some sleepers, sleep apnea treatment may not be enough. This is where airway therapy helps; by improving the patient’s airway during sleep, sleepers with sleep apnea can often avoid the need for surgery or continuous positive air pressure machines. Airway therapy can also reduce snoring and offers other long-term benefits such as improved stress management and mental clarity during waking hours. Our Lakeside professionals are able to use various sleep appliances and treatments to help people suffering from sleep apnea and give them the possibility of a good night’s rest again. It may sound surprising, but sleep apnea is something that is truly connected to dentistry and can be effectively treated by the right professional.
At Lakeside Dental Care, we understand the importance of sleep apnea treatment and work to tackle it from all sides. Our compassionate team of professionals will make sure you receive individualized care that is tailored specifically to your sleep apnea needs. With our help, you can stop sleep apnea from getting in the way of leading an energized and fuller life. All you have to do is contact us to schedule an initial sleep apnea consultation and start reclaiming your sleep!
