If your partner is constantly complaining about your loud snoring, or if you wake up feeling just as tired as you did when you went to bed, you could have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Although many people dismiss snoring as “normal” or ignore the symptoms, the truth is that untreated sleep apnea can have serious health consequences.
And did you know that your Gretna dentist is uniquely qualified to spot anatomical risk factors and can easily screen you for this common sleep disorder?
Let’s explore why you might want to talk to your dentist about your snoring.
What Does Your Dentist Look For?
Sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax while you’re asleep, blocking your airway and causing you to stop breathing, often hundreds of times each night.
When you visit our dental office for a routine exam and cleaning, we can check for several sleep apnea risk factors, including the following:
- Jaw alignment
- Tongue/airway structure
- Palate
- Neck circumference
Treatment Options
For some patients, a CPAP machine is the best treatment option for their sleep apnea, but many patients get results with a custom nightguard designed to keep their airway open.
It’s even possible to use a CPAP machine and a nightguard at the same time or opt for a CPAP machine at home and a nightguard while traveling.
The most important thing is to receive a proper diagnosis and treat your sleep apnea before it affects your health.
What Are the Benefits of Early Detection?
For many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, dental intervention can be a comfortable, non-invasive treatment path.
Here are some of the benefits of early detection:
- Better overall health
- Better quality of life
- Improved sleep
- Reduced risk of systemic diseases
Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment in New Orleans, LA?
If you need a dentist in Gretna, LA, for sleep apnea, the dental team at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry will happily assist you! We can assess you for sleep apnea risk factors and recommend oral appliance therapy if your symptoms align with that treatment option.
Please get in touch with our office for an appointment at (504) 392-5104.