Do you snore? If you do, then you’re likely suffering from sleep apnea, a condition that causes sleep disruption due to irregular breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can disrupt the sufferer and their spouse or sleep partner. More than that, sleep apnea can also be dangerous because it is a condition that disrupts breathing. Fortunately, your dentist in Alabaster, AL, may be able to help.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when breathing stops and starts while sleeping. There are different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the tongue collapses against the palate during sleep. This causes the airway to be blocked. Signs of sleep apnea include:

• Irritability
• Loud snoring
• Gasping during sleep
• Dry mouth in the morning upon waking
• Excessive sleepiness
• Difficulty focusing

How Can the Dentist Help?

For many patients, obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that can be managed with dental appliances that prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. Your dentist can help you by fitting you with an appliance that’s custom-made for your mouth.

While some dental appliances (called night guards) are sold in pharmacies, these appliances are not always comfortable or as effective as custom-made appliances.

Contact Your Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment Today

Could you benefit from a dental sleep apnea appliance in Alabaster, AL? The professionals at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help. We’re experienced in providing the type of care patients need for obstructive sleep apnea. We also provide dental sleep apnea appliances. Call today to make an appointment and learn more.

If you’re concerned about sleep apnea, you may be worried if you notice that you or your partner snores. Snoring is one indicator of sleep apnea, but it isn’t the only symptom, as your dentist in Alabaster, AL, can explain. It’s possible for a person to snore while sleeping without sleep apnea being present. While snoring may disrupt sleep, it’s not always something to worry about.

What Causes Snoring?
Snoring results from the vibration of muscles in the back of the throat. During sleep, this muscle tissue relaxes. As air passes through from respiration, the tissue may vibrate. A person may snore occasionally from being congested, consuming too much alcohol, or even falling asleep in certain awkward positions.

How Sleep Apnea Differs From Occasional Snoring
The word “apnea” means “breathless.” Sleep apnea refers to interrupted breathing during sleep, where a person stops breathing for seconds at a time. The duration of the absence of breathing varies among individuals, but it should never be ignored.

Unlike occasional snoring, chronic sleep apnea may prevent needed oxygen from entering the body and brain, resulting in a problematic and potentially dangerous situation. A common sign of sleep apnea is when a person startles awake, usually with the sensation of choking or feeling that they can’t get a breath.

In summary, snoring may be occasional due to certain temporary conditions. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is the result of a consistent, problematic situation. A blocked airway may cause it due to obesity or muscle tissue.

Sleep apnea should not be ignored and needs to be treated. If you do need sleep apnea treatment in Alabaster, AL, you can get it at Albritton & Ardovino Family Dentistry. Contact us today to book an exam to learn more.

Sleep apnea affects many, and if left untreated, it can lead to severe consequences that can affect your mental and physical health.

The Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry of Alabaster, AL team is proud to offer the local community premium dental services, including being there when you need us most to help treat your sleep apnea symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Have you ever heard someone snore continuously, with no way of making them stop? This could be a sign of sleep apnea. The most common characteristic is brief breathing pauses during sleep, which can last from a few seconds to a minute in some more severe cases.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, caused by a blocked airway – which occurs when the throat muscles are too relaxed.

3 Signs You May Need Professional Help

There are some signs that you may have sleep apnea and not just suffer from regular snoring. Here are some tell-tale signs:

Loud and Persistent Snoring

Chronic snoring is a very noticeable sign. Of course, everyone snores occasionally, but if it happens more nights than not, this may be a sign of sleep apnea. If snorts and choking sounds accompany this snoring, this may be a huge red flag.

Daytime Fatigue and Excessive Sleepiness

People with untreated sleep apnea often wake up feeling unrefreshed and may struggle to stay awake during the day, which affects cognitive function.

Morning Headaches and Dry Mouth

The pauses in breathing during the night cause oxygen deprivation, leading to headaches and migraines. Because most breathing is done through the mouth, dry mouth and teeth are common.

Your Local Quality Dental Care Expert

Recognizing sleep apnea symptoms is the first step toward seeking timely help. During your next appointment with the professional team at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry of Alabaster, AL, you can be sure you are getting the proper care you need that is unique to your situation.

If you or someone you live with has sleep apnea in Alabaster, AL, you may think that it’s just an inconvenience. However, sleep apnea can be symptomatic of a more serious condition, or it can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Loud snoring that disrupts others’ sleep
• Sudden and/or violent waking
• Waking with extremely dry mouth or throat
• Sensation of choking
• Fatigue upon waking
• Feeling sluggish during the day

These aren’t all the symptoms of sleep apnea, but if you or a loved one is experiencing some or all of these, please contact us for a consultation to get help.

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

In numerous studies, sleep apnea has been linked to poor cardiovascular health. The theory is that the body—and the heart especially—is being deprived of oxygen during sleep. This condition has the potential to increase the likelihood of a cardiac event or stroke, possibly leaving permanent damage or even having fatal consequences.

Sleep apnea frequently occurs in people who are 30 pounds or more over a healthy weight for their height. Technically, this term is obesity. With obesity comes a heightened risk for a number of health problems, including sleep apnea and diabetes. Whether or not the sleep apnea is a symptom of obesity or it leads to overeating due to cravings from lack of sleep is almost inconsequential in terms of getting help. The sleep apnea must be treated no matter what, because it’s harmful to health, not just an inconvenient issue that disrupts sleep.

Your dentist in Alabaster, AL can diagnose and treat sleep apnea. All you need to do is to book an appointment and explain what symptoms you’re experiencing. From there, a treatment plan can be made that will get you or your loved one back on a path where deep, restful sleep is possible, and health risks are mitigated. Contact us today to make your appointment.

Has your dentist in Alabaster, AL, mentioned the benefits of airway orthodontics? Airway orthodontia is a branch of dentistry that deals with the way we take in oxygen. Sometimes, dental problems or abnormalities can make it difficult to breathe as easily as we should. When this happens, airway orthodontics may bring big relief. It may be especially helpful for those who suffer with obstructive sleep apnea.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep. It happens when the muscles in your throat relax too much, causing tissue to intermittently block your airway. Some people have obstructive sleep apnea so bad they stop breathing many times during the night. While it’s rarely fatal, this disorder can cause a restless night and may make you feel tired and irritable the next day.

Most people who suffer from this form of sleep apnea don’t even realize they have it. A visit to the dentist may be the reason why it’s eventually diagnosed.

How Do Airway Orthodontics Help?

Oral appliances that reposition your jaw or tongue are often helpful in relieving the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Your dentist may also recommend a device called a CPAP machine. This works by delivering continuous airway pressure as you sleep. This pressure prevents the soft muscles in your throat from relaxing too much.

In severe cases, surgery that repositions your jaw, removes oversized adenoids or tonsils, or straightened a deviated septum in your nose may also be beneficial.

Airway Orthodontics in Alabaster, AL

If you’re interested in learning more about airway orthodontics in the Alabaster, AL, area, Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help. Call today to set up a convenient time to come in and meet with one of our friendly and experienced dental clinicians.