Smile Therapy: Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can not only affect your oral health, but your overall health as well. Sleep apnea arises due to interrupted breathing patterns. It could be caused by numerous aspects including issues within your mouth. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to severe ailments including heart failure, high blood pressure, and stroke. Thus, it is important to visit your dentist for a sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment plan.

Numerous risk factors exist for sleep apnea to make an individual more likely to suffer from the condition. If an individual is a male over the age of 40, they will be at a greater risk for sleep apnea. The same can be said for individuals who are overweight or carrying around excess wait. If you have large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw in relation to the face, you may also be susceptible to sleep apnea. Other common risk factors for sleep apnea include nasal obstructions, a deviated septum, allergies, a family history of sleep apnea, genetic predispositions, and sinuses.

Treating sleep apnea requires an examination from your dentist to determine which method will work best for you. Sometimes it can be treated with a simple adjustment to your sleeping habits including sleeping in a different position rather than your back. In other cases, oral appliances may be required. This can include CPAPs, also known as continuous positive air pressure devices. In extreme circumstances, surgery may be required to help open up the airway.

With sleep apnea care and the skilled expertise of our team at Sweet Spot Smiles, we can make sure you receive the oral health care you need. Dr. Linda King and our team can be reached by calling us at 770-285-2864 to schedule an appointment to visit us at our dentist office in Locust Grove, Georgia.