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Sleep Apnea

Brite Smiles Dental Care

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Apple Valley, MN

Do you snore or know someone who does? The health of your mouth and airways play a crucial role in your body’s ability to get a good night’s rest, with a simple at-home test Brite Smiles Dental Care can determine if you have basic snoring or the more significant health issue of Sleep Apnea. If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, Brite Smiles Dental Care in Apple Valley, Minnesota, can help. Dennis Simmons, DDS, and his associates, sleep apnea Specialists, and snoring experts, can work with you to finally get that good night’s sleep you’ve been daydreaming about. Schedule your visit today by phone or online.

Sleep Apnea Q & A

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes interruptions in your breathing while you sleep. It happens when the muscles in your mouth and throat relax while you sleep, causing the soft tissue in the back of your throat to collapse and block your upper airway.

These periods of breathlessness can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they can occur hundreds of times a night, each time depriving your brain of oxygen. 

Sleep apnea affects nearly 20 million Americans, but researchers believe that up to 90% of those who have it are still undiagnosed.   

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea are:

  • Snoring
  • Insomnia
  • Restless sleep
  • Impaired memory
  • Impaired sex drive
  • Morning headaches
  • Fatigue or irritability during the day
  • Waking up gasping for air or choking

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with Brite Smiles Dental Care. Their professionals are trained to spot signs of the disorder and are prepared to treat you. 

What happens if I don’t treat my sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can harm your health in a variety of ways. 

In the short term, sleep apnea can cause: 

  • Diminished quality of life
  • Chronic anxiety and stress
  • Impaired performance, alertness, and memory
  • Increased likelihood of occupational injuries and auto accidents.

In the long-term, sleep apnea can lead to:

  • Stroke
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Arrhythmia
  • Depression
  • Heart disease
  • Mood disorders
  • High blood pressure
  • Attention deficit disorder

Sleep apnea ultimately deprives your body of oxygen, which is essential to its proper functioning. 

How do you treat sleep apnea?

The first step in treating your sleep apnea is to conduct a sleep study. Brite Smiles Dental Care offers take-home sleep studies that can be used to obtain a medical diagnosis from a board-certified sleep physician.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends treating severe sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but for patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea, or those who can’t tolerate a CPAP device, Brite Smiles Dental Care offers an oral appliance called the Full Breath Solution™.

It fits over your teeth and gently pushes your jaw forward, opening up your airway and keeping it from obstructing your airway while you sleep. 

There are a variety of other oral appliances on the market that function similarly to the Full Breath Solution, but many of these can cause some uncomfortable side effects, like permanent bite and joint changes or TMJ and muscle pain. 

Don’t wait any longer to get the good night’s rest you’ve been craving. Schedule your snoring or sleep apnea consultation today by calling Brite Smiles Dental Care or booking a visit online.