SLEEP APNEA

Do You Suffer From Sleep Apnea?

Are you constantly waking up feeling tired and unrested? Do you go through each day fatigued? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. One of the most common signs of a sleep disorder is snoring. Since habitual snoring is extremely common among Americans, sleep apnea is easily overlooked. 

Snoring is typically the first sign of sleep apnea. However, since snoring is so common, sleep apnea is frequently ignored. That’s why it’s important to learn about all the possible symptoms to help you determine if your snoring is more than just a sleeping habit.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Don’t continue living with sleep apnea and its uncomfortable symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms, please call our Archdale office to schedule a consultation with one of our Triad dentists.

Common symptoms to look out for, especially if your snore, include:

• Sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up 
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Gasping for air or choking in the middle of the night
• Mood changes
• Memory loss
• Insomnia or recurring awakenings 
• Irritability
• Morning headaches

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

When sleep apnea goes left untreated, it will slowly diminish the amount of oxygen your brain and organs receive which can cause a series of underlying health conditions and illnesses. Sleep apnea has been closely associated with several health problems, including:

• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Strokes
• Heart failure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression 
• Liver problems

Diagnosing Sleep Disorders

Here at Triad Cosmetic Dentistry, your health is important to us. When a patient suspects they’re suffering from sleep apnea, or if we believe you have the condition, we will offer a sleep test right away.

During a sleep test at our Archdale office, you’ll be carefully evaluated overnight so our Triad team can confirm if you have sleep apnea or not. We’ll also provide a rhinometer and pharyngometer analysis to measure your nasal capacity and airway size. Once we’ve officially diagnosed your condition, we’ll recommend treatments based on the severity of your sleep apnea.

Treatment Options

It’s important to get your sleep apnea under control as soon as possible. At Triad Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer custom oral appliances. Our oral appliances are a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) as they’re small, portable, and noise-free. These dental-made appliances help move the jaw forward, allowing oxygen to pass through the throat without any obstruction.