Sleep Apnea
Treatment For Sleep Disorders in Charlotte, NC
Are you getting enough quality sleep? Sleep is crucial for our overall health—it helps fight infection, improves concentration and mental well-being and prevents chronic conditions such as heart disease. Despite the importance of sleep, many U.S. adults do not get enough. According to the CDC, around 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems.
One of the most common sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with OSA will experience partial or total blocks of their airways as they sleep, causing them to wake frequently throughout the night. If you or your partner snore or often wake up in the morning feeling tired, you may have this disorder. Our team at Stewart Dental Group is here to help you get the high-quality rest you deserve!
Sleep Apnea And How It Relates To Dentistry
There are a few different types of this disorder, but one of the most common types is obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, the airways are partially or completely blocked throughout the night when the muscles and soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax. This is where dentistry comes in—by altering the position of the mouth during sleep, airway blockages can be prevented, and patients can get more restful, high-quality sleep.
Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea
Patients with this disorder can experience both daytime and nighttime symptoms. Nighttime symptoms include:
During the day, patients may experience:
While patients of all ages can have this disorder, there are few groups that are more likely to develop it. These groups include men over the age of 40 and patients who are diabetic, overweight, have high blood pressure or have a genetic predisposition.
Treatment For Sleep Apnea
At Stewart Dental Group, we understand that each patient has unique needs and therefore requires customized treatment. One of the most common treatments for this disorder is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, also known as a CPAP machine. This machine requires patients to wear a mask while they sleep that consistently blows air into the mouth, keeping the airway open. While this treatment is effective, many patients find the machine to be uncomfortable or inconvenient.
If a CPAP machine is not right for you, our team will coordinate with a sleep specialist to develop an oral appliance. Oral appliances function like mouthpieces and are worn while you sleep. The purpose of this appliance is to adjust the position of the mouth to open up the airways, preventing the soft tissues from collapsing. These mouthpieces are customized to fit your smile, and are effective at treating mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
Start Sleeping Better
If you are experiencing any symptoms of this disorder, schedule an appointment with our team at Stewart Dental Group. Call us at (704)-376-2404 or request an appointment on our website. More restful sleep is just a call or click away!
