Whether you’re dealing with sleep apnea, you think that you might be, or you know someone who is, information about this condition can help you understand how to move forward. That is why our O’Fallon dentists are answering common questions about how sleep apnea works, and what you can do about it.
Q: How do I know if I am suffering from sleep apnea?
A: The way to know for sure whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea is to speak with a sleep apnea treatment professional—they may even have you complete a sleep study to get more information about how your sleep apnea manifests. There are some clues you can notice at home, however, that can indicate that you’re dealing with sleep apnea. If you are snoring loudly and persistently, waking up multiple times at night, and/or dealing with headaches or concentration problems, these issues could be sleep apnea related.
Q: What kinds of treatments are available for sleep apnea?
A: The goal of sleep apnea treatment is to keep the patient’s airway open while he or she sleep, so that the patient’s blood oxygen levels stay at healthy levels throughout the night. One traditional treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine; the patient wears a facemask over his or her mouth, and the mask delivers a targeted flow of air to the patient. CPAP machines are tough for many patients to live with. That is why our dental team uses innovative sleep apnea mouthpieces that are easy and comfortable to wear, as an alternative to the CPAP machine. When you come in for treatment, we’ll be able to help you figure out what type of treatment is best for you.
Don’t wait to get the sleep apnea treatment that you need! Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you through this process. Give us a call to get started!