Sleep Apnea Treatment in McDonough, Palmetto & Zebulon, GA
Sleep apnea is a potentially deadly condition characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep. Individuals with sleep apnea experience repeated episodes where they stop breathing when sleeping.
Snoring is a common telltale sign of sleep apnea. However, not all snorers have sleep apnea.
If you’ve been experiencing chronic snoring, headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and dry mouth, you might have sleep apnea. To get evaluated for sleep apnea and receive sleep apnea treatment in Palmetto, Zebulon, and McDonough, GA. please contact Palmetto Family Dental.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs in three forms: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed or complex sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the throat muscles relax during sleep, leading to an obstruction of the airway. OSA is statistically the most prevalent form of sleep apnea and affects men in higher numbers than women.
Central sleep apnea happens when there’s a communication breakdown between the brain and the respiratory system. Consequently, the brain fails to send timely signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea, or treatment-emergent central sleep apnea is a mixture of OSA and central sleep apnea.
Palmetto Family Dental offers patient-tailored sleep apnea treatment to patients experiencing OSA. We work with sleep specialists to determine if you have sleep apnea. Our dentists near you obtain data from a sleep study to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Sleep Apnea Therapies
A sleep study is undertaken to determine your heart rate, breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and air flow during sleep. Subject to the outcome of the sleep study, our dentists near you may recommend:
- Oral appliances to keep your airways open when sleeping. These include mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue-retaining devices (TRDs). These oral appliances work by holding the jaw and tongue in their correct positions, thus preventing airway obstruction.
- Lifestyle changes. If you have excess weight predisposing you to sleep apnea, our dentists may recommend shedding some pounds. Adopting exercise, a healthier diet, and cutting out alcohol and smoking also works.
- Surgery. Removing excess tissue from your throat and back of the mouth can effectively eliminate the airway obstruction. Our dentists typically recommend surgical sleep apnea treatment near you as a last resort.
While occasional snoring is nothing to worry about, chronic snoring may indicate a deeper problem. If you’ve been battling chronic snoring and ongoing headaches and restlessness, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Please call Palmetto Family Dental today to experience our patient-tailored sleep apnea treatment in Palmetto, Zebulon, and McDonough, GA.
