Did You Know Your Orthodontist Can Treat Your Sleep Apnea?

At Bucktown Wicker Park Dental in Chicago, Illinois, patients are getting straight teeth and better sleep thanks to Melissa Daza, DDS, Michelle Schwartz, DDS, and their expert dental team. While they treat all dental issues, they treat sleep apnea as well. 

If you have sleep apnea, you may not know it, but your partner will. They may tell you that you snore loudly or make weird snorting sounds. But even if no one is near you to hear it, there may be signs you just aren’t recognizing. Do you wake up after a full night’s sleep feeling exhausted? Or are you irritable during the day and find it hard to concentrate or focus at work? If so, you may have sleep apnea. If this sounds like you, it’s time to get in touch with Bucktown Wicker Park Dental.

Sleep apnea overview

If you have sleep apnea, your breathing stops for about 10 seconds multiple times a night. You may wake up gasping for breath, coughing, or feel like you’re choking. It can be scary for you and your partner. Causes of sleep apnea include:

• Carrying excess weight
• Being male or an older person
• Allergies or nasal congestion
• Using substances that can relax the muscles in your throat, such as alcohol or sedatives
• Family history
• Smoking

Sleep apnea is serious, because it can put extra stress on your heart and can lead to high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and diabetes, and other conditions.

Types of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common, and it occurs when tissue in your nose or throat blocks airflow. Central sleep apnea is rare. In this type, your brain doesn’t send breathing signals to your lungs. Some people have a combination of both types called complex sleep apnea.

Treating sleep apnea

The team at Bucktown Dental may ask you questions about your sleep habits and whether or not you snore. If your jaw is not aligned correctly, we may recommend that you wear an oral appliance at night called a mandibular advancement splint. The device gently brings your jaw and tongue forward while opening your airway, which should help you breathe better. Some patients report snoring less, sleeping better, and having more energy during the day. If this method doesn’t work, we may refer you to a sleep specialist for further testing and treatment.

If you have sleep apnea or want to see if you do, book an appointment online or over the phone with Bucktown Wicker Park Dental and start on the path to restful sleep.