San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Not getting enough sleep at night is a severe and widespread problem. Most people experience mood swings, distracted thinking, and exhaustion when they don’t get the adequate amount of sleep their body needs. Then, those individuals may take a nap, go to bed earlier, or stay in bed longer to try and catch up on their sleep. But, unfortunately, it’s rarely successful in helping a person feel well-rested. Our San Francisco sleep apnea dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today why sleeping more isn’t the answer to sleep apnea and what treatments are available to help improve your sleep habits.
What causes sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that occurs when your airway is too narrow or your airway’s soft tissues collapse, preventing adequate oxygen flow. Over 15 million people in America, including children, suffer from sleep apnea; many are unaware of the underlying sleep-loss problem. Our Oakland dentists who treat sleep apnea explain that conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and heredity could contribute to sleep-breathing disorders.
What happens during sleep apnea?
When your airway becomes blocked while sleeping, the body does not receive proper oxygen levels to function. Whether you experience a partial or complete blockage, it can disrupt your sleep cycle. Our sleep apnea dentists in Marin explain that when an airway becomes blocked, it triggers the brain to wake up and take a breath because it’s not receiving the oxygen it needs. For mild sleep apnea sufferers, the occurrences may happen a few times per hour while sleeping. On the other hand, advanced cases of sleep apnea often experience hundreds of events every night, each time awakening the brain from sleep. However, you may not awaken to complete consciousness, which is why sleep apnea may be difficult to spot without an airway assessment.
What is the process for diagnosing sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment require a unique skill set only obtained through training and experience. Although a sleep specialist is the only one who can formally diagnose patients for sleep apnea, our Bay Area dentists who treat sleep apnea patients possess the proper knowledge to administer and treat sleep apnea patients through non-invasive methods. Once you receive a diagnosis, our team will create a customized sleep apnea treatment plan.
What treatment options are available for sleep apnea?
The most common sleep apnea treatment is a CPAP machine that forces air through the airway, keeping it open and allowing your body to rest. However, many patients complain about the loud noise level and complexity of traveling with the machine. Fortunately, our sleep apnea dentists in Oakland offer a non-invasive and effective treatment method called oral appliance therapy. The oral appliance is a custom-made mouthpiece that is comfortable and will help keep your airway open while sleeping. Thankfully, due to its lack of moving parts and compact size, the oral appliance can provide effective treatment that is quiet and compact.
Sleep Apnea Dentist in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Life’s journey is challenging enough when you’re well-rested. But unfortunately, trying to take it on when you suffer from sleep apnea can make succeeding at anything a challenge. If you or a family member struggle with getting enough rest, contact our Bay Area dental office that treats sleep apnea for a consultation. Our experienced dentists can help treat your sleep apnea condition so that you can get the rest your body needs and be able to focus throughout the day. Please call Glen Park Dental at (415) 585-1500 to schedule an appointment today and reclaim restful nights!
