If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, it may surprise you to hear that a dentist should be your first call. But, in many cases, a dentist is the first healthcare professional to diagnose sleep disorders. Since sleep apnea has many serious consequences such as heart disease, obesity, stroke, and depression, diagnosis and treatment are incredibly important. Fortunately, a sleep dentist in Baytown makes it easier than you might think. Learn more below!
What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?
An estimated 22 million Americans have sleep apnea. Here are some common signs and symptoms to watch for:
- Daytime sleepiness or lack of energy
- Mood disorders such as depression
- Chronic sore throat in the mornings
- Headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Restless sleep
How Can a Dentist Help If You Have Sleep Apnea?
The first step is getting a diagnosis by scheduling a checkup or exam with a sleep dentist. After asking you questions and discussing your symptoms, they’ll do a visual exam and look for indicators such as:
- Red soft tissues in the throat (a sign of snoring or mouth breathing)
- A small jaw
- Signs of teeth grinding such as worn surfaces on the back teeth or scalloped edges on the tongue
- Dry mouth
Then they can arrange a simple, at-home test that doesn’t involve going to a sleep lab. After getting your results from a sleep physician, a dentist will discuss which type of treatment is right for you.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
For many years, the only treatments for sleep apnea were either surgery or a CPAP machine. Although surgery may be recommended in particularly severe cases, it can often be avoided with another type of sleep apnea therapy in Baytown such as:
- Oral appliance therapy – Custom-made by a dentist, these lightweight, portable devices work by repositioning the jaws to open the airway.
- Combined therapy – For patients who don’t get relief from just one type of treatment, combined therapy may be more effective. By wearing an oral appliance along with a CPAP mask, the machine can be used on a lower setting. This is much easier for many people than CPAP therapy alone.
Sleep apnea treatment has come a long way in recent years. Now it’s easier than ever to get better sleep, improve your quality of life, and stay healthy at the same time!
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto is a general and sleep dentist in Baytown with a particular interest in sleep apnea therapy. His goal is to help his patients regain their quality of life by providing early diagnosis and treatment such as simple, non-invasive oral appliances. If you think you might have sleep apnea or have any other questions, he can be reached via his website.