Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Savannah, Hilton Head, and Bluffton

Name: Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Brand: Old Moreland Dental
Rating: 4.8 (52 reviews)

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing is interrupted repeatedly while you sleep. In addition to increasing your risk of various health problems, sleep apnea will often cause you to sleep with your mouth open. This encourages tooth decay and the formation of cavities. Treating sleep apnea may improve your oral health.

Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep And Your Oral Health At The Same Time

Sleep apnea is a common condition in American men and women. If you suffer from sleep apnea, your breathing stops and restarts over and over as you sleep, causing you to wake up repeatedly. Needless to say, these interruptions in your sleep can cause excessive tiredness during the day. In addition to preventing you from getting proper rest, sleep apnea can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, heart problems and even depression. Sleep apnea treatment in the Savannah, Hilton Head, and Bluffton area at Old Moreland Dental can significantly improve your oral health.

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Individualized Care And Superior Service At Old Moreland Dental

At Old Moreland Dental, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service that far exceeds your expectations. Dr. Jeffrey Solomon has been practicing dentistry for more than 15 years, and our entire team is friendly, warm and welcoming. Surrounded by the beautiful nature of North Carolina, our dental clinic is modern, comfortable and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment. At Old Moreland Dental, you can feel confident that you will get the quality dental care you deserve.

What Does Sleep Apnea Have To Do With Dental Care?

Firstly, good sleep quality helps support your overall health and helps your body fight disease including gum disease. Secondly, people who suffer from sleep apnea often breathe through their mouths when they are asleep. This results in dry mouth, which encourages and can lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, mouth sores and gum disease. Thus, sleep apnea is a relevant concern for your dentist. Your dentist may suspect that you suffer from sleep apnea based on certain dental problems. He may recommend that you contact your healthcare provider for a full examination and diagnosis.

What Are The Symptoms?

Though it’s a rather common condition, sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. While symptoms include snoring and gasping for air, these occur while you are asleep so you may not be aware of them. Other symptoms include:

Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Difficulty concentrating
Waking up frequently during the night
Headaches, especially in the morning
Irritability, depression, or anxiety
Fatigue or sleepiness despite getting plenty of rest

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, different approaches may be recommended. Your general healthcare provider will suggest treatment measures. In mild cases, avoiding alcohol and losing weight if you are overweight may help alleviate the condition. Sleeping on your side or using nasal sprays may also be helpful. In more severe cases, you may need to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while you sleep. A special machine will gently blow air into your nose or mouth, allowing you to sleep without any interruptions to your breathing.

What Sleep Apnea Treatments Can My Dentist Offer?

Sleep apnea treatments in the Savannah, Hilton Head, and Bluffton areas focus on the use of oral appliances to treat a type of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when certain muscles in your mouth or throat relax while you are asleep, narrowing or closing off your airway. If you suffer from OSA, your dentist may recommend an oral appliance that is custom made to fit your mouth perfectly. Many different oral devices exist to treat sleep apnea. The most common types include:

Mandibular advancement device

Also known as MAD, a mandibular advancement device moves the jaw forward by connecting to both the upper and lower teeth. By moving the base of the tongue forward, the MAD helps keep the airway open. Similar to a mouthguard in appearance, a MAD is inserted before you go to sleep at night and removed in the morning.

Tongue-stabilizing device

This device, also known as a TSD, pulls the tongue forward to keep it from blocking the airway. Generally, mandibular advancement devices are the more popular choice in treating OSA. However, every case of sleep apnea is different. Dr. Solomon has extensive experience in this area and will examine you thoroughly and ask your questions to determine the best option for your unique case.