Many patients visit our Annapolis, MD dentist office after experiencing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Many people do not know that their dentist can help reduce their loud snoring. Dr. Sheen has many options for couples or individuals struggling with snoring or sleep apnea. We can help you manage your symptoms, and restore your good nights’ rest. Learn more about how we treat sleep apnea in our Annapolis, MD dentist office below:
Oral Appliance Therapy
Patients who experience sleep apnea often have excess soft tissue in the back of their throats, which collapses on each other when they are sleeping in certain positions. This causes a blockage that prevents them from taking a full breath. The more often your snoring presents, the more severe your symptoms may be. If you are unsure if you are suffering from sleep apnea, consider asking a loved one or a roommate if they have heard you snoring in your sleep. Additionally, look out for:
- Frequent headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Waking up gasping for air
- Increased irritability
- Feeling groggy upon waking up
To help treat these symptoms, Dr. Sheen provides patients with oral appliance therapy. This involves providing you with a custom-made snore guard, similar to a mouthguard, which you should wear at night while you sleep. The snore guard will prevent your soft tissues from collapsing on each other and creating a blockage. Additionally, it will hold your jawbone in a healthier resting position, preventing you from grinding your teeth together.
Know The Risks
While loud snoring is a nighttime inconvenience, patients should be aware that sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Because patients often stop breathing during their sleep for 10 or more seconds during the night, this deprives the internal organs of oxygen, raising the risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. If you already have heart disease or diabetes, sleep apnea can exacerbate symptoms and make disease management more difficult.
If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea or loud snoring, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheen. Dr. Sheen is known for providing comprehensive, personalized dental care for patients of all ages for over 20 years. Our dentist office in Annapolis, MD is looking forward to welcoming you to our dental family, and helping you restore your good nights’ sleep.