Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause snoring and daytime sleepiness, along with high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke.
If you live with this potentially dangerous condition, it's likely that you — and your partner — aren't getting a lot of rest.
Peak Family Dentistry in Albuquerque, NM, can help you find relief from sleep apnea with treatments such as oral appliance therapy.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
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Sleep apnea occurs when your airways are obstructed during sleep, causing you to wake throughout the night. Sleep apnea can lead to hazardous complications, or even death. Though the idea of living with this condition may cause you anxiety, it is treatable with the help of sleep medicine.
Having Trouble Sleeping?
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Each symptom of sleep apnea should be taken seriously. If you experience a combination of the items on this list, visit Peak Family Dentistry in Albuquerque, NM, for an initial consultation.
- Snoring
- Waking throughout the night
- Poor sleep quality
- Headaches after you wake up
- Dry mouth
- Daytime sleepiness
The 3 Main Types of Sleep Apnea
If you live with sleep apnea, you likely have one of the two more common types. Each form of this sleep disorder causes the same main symptom, an inability to breathe properly — just in different ways.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most frequently diagnosed type of sleep apnea. It leads the muscles in the back of your throat to relax, obstructing your upper airway as its name suggests. Then, since no oxygen can flow through your airway, you may begin snoring or startle awake without knowing why.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea results from faulty brain activity. Essentially, your mind will try to relay the command to breathe, but the signal doesn't reach the muscles of your airways or your lungs. If your body cannot successfully take in oxygen you will likely awaken so you can breathe in earnest.
Mixed Sleep Apnea
Some people experience both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. These two sleep disorders can co-occur, resulting in something known as mixed sleep apnea. While it's rarer, some patients do experience this version of sleep apnea.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
If you have central or obstructive sleep apnea, it may only be the beginning of your problems. Because it has such a strong impact on your upper airways, breathing, and even blood flow, sleep apnea worsens the risks of:
High Blood Pressure
Low Oxygen Levels
Heart Attack
Stroke
Death
What Is Sleep Medicine — And How Can It Help Me?
Dental sleep medicine is an area of dentistry that focuses on improving a patient’s quality of sleep through oral therapy. Oral therapy is often a great benefit to patients that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Ready to begin your treatment?
Dr. Billie Adams provides dental sleep medicine for your sleep apnea using a mandibular advancement appliance. To get started, contact our family-owned Albuquerque, NM, office or call us at:
(505) 293-2211
"Always excellent" 5-Star Reviews from Our Happy Albuquerque Patients
Dave Trujillo
2022
As soon as you enter the front door, you are greeted with a "smile and wonderful reception"!! The staff is very "helpful and professional" with their services. I LOVE "Peak Family Dentistry" and you will too.
View on GoogleDavid Kitterman
2022
A most excellent dental experience! Dr. Adams is a awesome dentist using the lastest technology for dental caps. They create the cap right there, no need to wait while its made at a dental lab! She provides a great experience and is very skilled at her profession. I recommend her for all your dental needs!
View on GoogleWhat Can Cause Sleep Apnea?
A variety of physical and lifestyle factors can contribute to sleep apnea. Though you cannot control them all, you can implement lifestyle changes to reduce the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea.
Some of the factors that can cause sleep apnea include:
- Large tonsils
- Nasal congestion
- Smoking
- Tapered airways
- Being overweight
- Family history of sleep apnea
How Can You Diagnose My Sleep Apnea?
From daytime exhaustion to keeping your partner up all night with your snoring, sleep apnea can truly take its toll. However, it's treatable!
First, though, you need a diagnosis. Here's how the process works for confirming you have a sleep disorder.
Patients trust Dr. Billie Adams to provide relief for their obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy uses a custom-fitted, removable mouthpiece called a mandibular advancement appliance to alleviate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. This option is less involved than a CPAP machine, and it requires less maintenance, too.
It repositions your jaw and tongue, allowing oxygen to steadily flow through your upper airway during sleep. Peak Family Dentistry can take your digital impressions, send them to a lab, and provide you with a custom-crafted mouthpiece.
CPAP
Some people with sleep apnea may need a more involved method of treatment to improve their condition. A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine, improves low oxygen levels by providing consistent air pressure through a machine, hose, and mask.
Though it's less comfortable and convenient than oral appliance therapy, those with more severe obstructive sleep apnea can benefit from using a CPAP machine as they sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy in Action
Did You Know?
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Sleeping on your side is the smartest, safest position to rest in when you have sleep apnea.
CPAP Machines Can Regulate Your Breathing
"Absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish" Our Patients Truly Trust Us With Their Care
Bernie
2022
Dr. Adam's is very good about informing you as a patient, so that you can understand your issues with your face, and make informed decisions. She was patient with answering all my questions and never made me feel like I was being tedious. She even did the cleaning herself (I am a new patient). I left feeling better about my face (the insides, at any rate).
View on GoogleTheresa Theall
2022
The office was clean, the staff were very welcoming. It didn’t feel like a dentist office. I felt very comfortable. Doctor Adams and her assistant were great with me . I got treated very well, she went over everything with me and there was no rush . Over all I am glad I switch dentists because I had a better experience with her than my last dentist.
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