Sleep Apnea

Sleep deprivation increases your risk of health conditions, including hormonal imbalances and high blood pressure. If you have sleep apnea — a condition that diminishes your quality of sleep — Ginger Rome, DDS, Laura Santo Salvo, DDS, and the team at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas, provide multiple solutions to restore your restful sleep and improve your overall health. Call the dental clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder that leads to pauses in breath while you sleep. Individuals with sleep apnea can stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night, leading to loud snoring and other uncomfortable symptoms. 

Because sleep apnea only occurs when you’re sleeping, you may not know you have it. Early intervention is essential to prevent complications from sleep apnea, including stroke, heart attack, and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Are there different types of sleep apnea?

The three types of sleep apnea include:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

By far the most common type of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax. This lack of movement causes the tissues in your throat to collapse, blocking your airways. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea interferes with the nerve signals that control breathing. When the brain can’t communicate with the muscles controlling respiration, it can cause interruptions in breath.

Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea means you have both OSA and central sleep apnea.

At The Dentists at North Cypress, the team offers comprehensive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

What are the signs of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms can be subtle at first. You may not realize you have the condition until somebody else notices. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Very loud snoring
• Morning headaches
• Pauses in breath
• Waking up gasping for air
• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Problems concentrating
• Dry mouth in the morning

Without treatment, sleep apnea deprives your body of oxygen. Your symptoms may worsen as the condition progresses.

What are the treatments for sleep apnea?

At The Dentists at North Cypress, the team creates custom-made oral appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea. This dental device gently shifts your jaw forward to open your airways and prevent obstructions.

To create your oral appliance, the team uses an in-office pharyngometer or rhinometer to measure the size and flexibility of your airways. These measurements ensure your appliance fits comfortably in your mouth and enhances the efficacy of your treatment.

Call The Dentists at North Cypress today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about sleep apnea.

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