Sleep Apnea Treatment – Dallas, TX
Keeping You Sleeping Peacefully
Dr. Mariya Barnett should be your female dentist of choice when it comes to reclaiming the high-quality rest you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation to learn more about sleep apnea treatment, or if you have any questions for your Dallas, Texas dentist. Families from Lakewood, Lake Highlands, and other nearby areas are always welcome. We look forward to improving your quality of rest, and in turn, your life!
Why Choose Mariya Barnett, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
- Kind & Compassionate Local Dentist
- Noise-Free Oral Sleep Appliances
What is Sleep Apnea?
A good night’s sleep should leave you feeling re-energized and ready for the day ahead – but what about when it doesn’t? You may find that no matter how early you went to bed the night before, you still experience feelings of fatigue and exhaustion throughout your morning. The culprit could be sleep apnea, a dangerous health condition that causes the airway to become obstructed as you sleep, resulting in countless interruptions and preventing you from reaching REM sleep. These episodes are called apneas, and they can happen anywhere from dozens to hundreds of times each night.
Sleep Apnea Signs & Symptoms
Besides constant fatigue, other common symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night
- Choking, gasping, or moments of complete silence during sleep (check with a bed partner)
- Headaches and/or instances of sore throat in the morning
- Problems with memory and/or concentration
If any of these seem familiar to you, please contact your general physician or a sleep specialist in the DFW area to help diagnose your condition. Once your case has been confirmed, Dr. Barnett can extend a helping hand in the form of customized oral appliance therapy.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can become dangerous over time due to causing a lack of oxygen flow to the brain. In fact, the condition has been connected to an increased risk of a number of serious medical conditions, including heart attack and stroke, depression, high blood pressure, and more. So, even though most patients most noticeably focus on how sleep apnea in Dallas can cause chronic fatigue, there are also more serious consequences for your health lurking behind the noticeable symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
The most common solution for treating sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. This method forces air into the lungs with the help of bulky equipment, and while effective, it’s uncomfortable, noisy, and difficult to transport. As a less-disruptive alternative, Dr. Barnett offers EMA®, TAP, and Silent Nite oral appliances. These devices are designed to reposition the jaw and/or tongue just enough to keep the airway safely unblocked. This means that patients are able to breathe better throughout the night and finally able to achieve the rest they need to wake up feeling great.
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) FAQs
Why Should I See a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
It no doubt seems strange to visit a dentist for sleep apnea treatment. Rest assured, though, a dentist’s education makes them well-qualified to provide patients with obstructive sleep apnea solutions!
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when overrelaxed oral tissue or jaw misalignment blocks your airway while you lay down. This makes it harder to get oxygen at night, and is why you experience frequent waking. Since dentists are experts on oral anatomy, they know how to design sleep appliances in such a way that it will move obstructions and free up your airway.
Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?
Not necessarily. While plenty of people with obstructive sleep apnea do snore, this phenomenon can be caused by other factors. If your sinuses are congested due to allergies, for example, mucus can temporarily block your airway, and you might sound like you’re sawing wood for a night or two.
The only way to know for sure whether you have sleep apnea, another sleep condition, or are simply a chronic snorer is to see a qualified professional for an official sleep test.
How Long Are Apnea Events or Episodes?
They vary from person to person, but typically land somewhere between 10 seconds and two minutes. To help determine what will likely be the best treatment method for a patient, sleep dentists typically categorize apnea events like so:
- 0 to 15 apnea events per hour is mild
- 30 or more apnea events per hour is severe
If your obstructive sleep apnea is mild, it’s more likely an oral sleep appliance alone will effectively treat your symptoms. Patients with severe cases, on the other hand, may need both an oral sleep appliance and CPAP.
Can Children Have Sleep Apnea?
Yes, it’s definitely possible, though rare. Experts estimate that roughly 1-8% of children have obstructive sleep apnea.
Because children are at a very different developmental stage than adults, their symptoms might look a little different. For example, they’re more likely to experience:
- Bed-wetting
- Sleep terrors
- Attention deficits
- Trouble focusing
- Problems at school or with completing homework
- Hyperactivity (ironically)
If you suspect your child might have obstructive sleep apnea, you can try checking in on them periodically throughout the night. Of course, the best way to know for sure is to get them scheduled for an official sleep test, but seeing how they sleep could give you some clues. If they breathe with their mouth open, toss and turn a lot, or snore ever-so-slightly, it might be a good idea to get them tested.
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