Sleep apnea is a sleep condition that causes you to stop breathing during the night. This can happen multiple times and can put your health at serious risk. Your Columbus, OH, dentist provides sleep apnea screening and treatment to keep you safe and help you achieve restful sleep.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the telltale sign of sleep apnea. However, not everyone who snores has this condition. Other signs to look for include the following:
- Sudden waking throughout the night
- Daytime sleepiness and irritability
- Waking with a dry throat
- Depression and mood changes
Sleep apnea is sometimes linked to bruxism and TMJ—teeth grinding and jaw joint disorders, respectively. Bruxism causes wear and damage to the teeth, and both conditions lead to pain in the jaws, shoulders, neck, and face.
Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to a whole host of health issues, including but not limited to the following:
- High blood pressure
- Heart health issues
- Weight gain
Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea
We can help diagnose sleep apnea through an at-home sleep study. Your dentist sends you home with a pulse oximeter to measure the condition. If the oximeter detects sleep apnea, we will talk to you about treatment, which may include:
- Referral to a physician
- Oral appliance therapy
Appliance therapy works well for specific types of sleep apnea, and many patients prefer it to the CPAP machine, which can be cumbersome. Our oral appliance is customized to fit comfortably over the teeth and gently keep the airway open during the night. It can also help with related conditions like TMJ.
We provide our at-home sleep study free of charge because of the potential dangers associated with sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Columbus, OH
To learn more about sleep apnea or to arrange a visit with the dentist, give us a call today. Your safe and restful sleep is very important to our dental team.