Can a Dentist Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea robs you of your entire night’s sleep, opening the door for numerous health complications. If treatment isn’t sought early, sleep apnea complications can quickly snowball, and soon you could be battling severe health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

However, the good news is that early identification and treatment of sleep apnea can help put the condition under control. At Taylor Dental Care, we have helped many patients in Sandy, Utah overcome sleep apnea with a simple, non-invasive device.

What is sleep apnea?

It’s a sleep-related breathing disorder that occurs when airflow is obstructed and the soft tissues at the back of your throat collapse (obstructive sleep apnea). Although rare, some patients have central sleep apnea, where the brain fails to send the right signals to the breathing muscles.

Whatever the type of sleep apnea, patients wake up abruptly gasping for air. The cessation of breathing happens for about 10 seconds, but these episodes may recur up to 100 times in a night! This fragmented sleep often leads to numerous symptoms like:

• Daytime fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Poor concentration during the day
• Irritability and mood changes
• Poor memory
• Depression

Sleep apnea is often characterized by chronic snoring as the air moves past the throat. Most sleep apnea patients aren’t even aware of the problem. Usually, your sleeping partner notices your chronic snoring and cessation of breathing, something that may not be a luxury for people who sleep alone.

Sleep apnea solutions in Utah

Traditionally, sleep apnea patients have often been given CPAPs to assist with breathing while sleeping. While these devices work, most patients don’t follow through with the treatment as they describe it as cumbersome, noisy, and uncomfortable.

Suppose you can’t tolerate CPAPs and have mild to moderate sleep apnea, Drs. Glenn & Michelle Taylor have a simple solution for you. We offer a simple, custom-made oral device to treat your sleep apnea. This device works by moving your jaw forward and preventing your tongue and other soft tissues from collapsing. As a result, you enjoy unobstructed breathing throughout your sleep.

Alongside the dental splint, we may also recommend the following lifestyle changes to combat your sleep apnea:

• Weight reduction
• Be physically active
• Limit intake of alcohol and quit smoking
• Change your sleeping position

Can a dentist treat sleep apnea? You already have the answer. While dentists can’t cure sleep apnea, those specially trained to handle sleep-disordered breathing problems have therapy to help manage sleep apnea symptoms. If sleep apnea is wreaking havoc on your health, please visit a sleep apnea dentist near you.

Sleep apnea relief for a restful night’s sleep

Is sleep apnea getting the better of you in Sandy, UT? Help is around the corner. All you need to do is dial (801) 285-6607 to book an appointment with Taylor Dental Care for effective sleep apnea solutions.

Share this Article