Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent breathing interruptions. When your airway muscles relax during sleep, they spread out and interrupt your breathing temporarily.

People experiencing sleep apnea can stop breathing for 10-30 seconds at a time, and this can happen up to 400 times per night. Airway blockages trigger your natural reflexes to restart breathing, at which point you might startle awake.

Many people affected by sleep apnea don't even recall the many times they awakened during the night and are unaware of their sleep disorder until their dentist or doctor screens for it.

If undiagnosed and untreated, you can experience severe and even deadly consequences. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression are all more common side-effects of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can shorten your life by up to a decade.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

There are a few symptoms that may indicate sleep apnea, including:

• Loud snoring
• Drowsiness during the day
• Dry mouth when you wake up
• Headaches in the morning
• Poor concentration and focus in the daytime

If you have any of these symptoms, it's time to schedule a sleep apnea screening. The San Ramon Dental Excellence team can screen for sleep apnea and then refer you to a board-certified medical doctor who specializes in sleep medicine for your diagnosis.

Depending on your specific diagnosis and recommendations from your sleep medicine physician, you may return to San Ramon Dental Excellence for your sleep apnea treatment.

How does a dentist treat sleep apnea?

Dentists have special training in oral appliance therapy, which is frequently an excellent choice for sleep apnea treatment. The team takes detailed impressions of your mouth to create a custom oral appliance.

The appliance painlessly repositions your jaw and soft palate tissues in your mouth to prevent the muscle collapse that triggers sleep apnea episodes. Oral appliances fit into your mouth much like a retainer, and you only need to wear the appliance at night.

With consistent oral appliance usage, you can breathe freely throughout the night and reduce your risk for all the serious health problems associated with sleep apnea.

Need sleep apnea screening or ready to try an oral appliance for sleep apnea? San Ramon Dental Excellence is here to help. Book an appointment online or call the office.