Sleep Apnea Treatment – Baytown, TX

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder which causes the patient to repeatedly stop and restart breathing throughout the night. It is often accompanied by snoring or gasping and choking for air, as well as frequently waking throughout the night. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause among other things restless sleep, chronic snoring, daytime fatigue, mood swings, slowed reaction time, decreased cognitive abilities, forgetfulness, morning headaches, sore throats, and an increased risk of depression.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a blockage to the airway. This can occur due to age, weight, genetic predisposition, and even excessive tongue thickness and larger neck circumference.

The other two types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain does not receive the signal to breathe during sleep, and mixed sleep apnea, which is a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apneas.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

In addition to the uncomfortable day-to-day negative symptoms of sleep apnea, failure to treat this disorder can increase your risk of a variety of other dangerous conditions, including diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. If you already have one of these conditions, it can worsen the effects and symptoms. In severe cases, it may also contribute to sudden death.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

When most people think of sleep apnea treatments, they naturally think of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy. This traditional method uses an electric powered device that forces air into your airway to prop it open so you can breathe while you sleep. It’s a good idea in theory, but unfortunately many patients are not compliant with treatment because they find the forced air uncomfortable and the required mask awkward.

At Baytown Gentle Dental, we are pleased to offer a safe, effective alternative to CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy. These discreet, comfortable devices are custom designed to fit your individual mouth and are generally considered far more comfortable than CPAP, and thereby much more likely to be used.

To get started with sleep apnea treatment, you’ll first need to undergo a sleep test. If you have not had one from a sleep doctor, we can happily set you up with the equipment to take a home-based test in the comfort and convenience of your own bed. Once we get your results, your sleep dentist can discuss your treatment options, and help you finally get the comfortable, high-quality rest you deserve!