Is sleep deprivation turning you into a zombie? Whether it’s your own snoring or a snoring spouse keeping you up at night, you might be surprised to learn the number you should call is ours. Edgewood Dental Care in northern Kentucky isn’t just your family dental office — we can also find you solutions if sleep apnea or snoring is cutting into your ZZZs.
The importance of sleep
Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If you snore or have sleep apnea, it makes it difficult to not only get enough sleep but to get deep, restful sleep. Sleep deprivation makes you move slower, makes your memory fuzzier, can put you in a funk, and weakens your immune system. Every year, 71,000 people are injured driving drowsy.
Edgewood Dental Care can help you finally get a good night’s sleep with our treatments for sleep apnea and snoring. We might even be able to improve your relationship if snoring has forced you and your partner into separate rooms!
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing for several seconds at a time while sleeping. You may not even be aware that you’re waking up in the night, but you might wake up in the morning tired despite going to bed at a reasonable hour, with a headache, or to grumblings from your spouse that you kept them up. Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and high blood pressure. That’s why we’re proud to be one of the dental offices in the area that can offer more than just oral care to our patients.
How do I get diagnosed with sleep apnea?
Call our dental office and schedule an appointment. Dr. McMahon will review your medical history with you, discuss your sleep patterns, and find out how tired you are throughout the day. If he suspects you have sleep apnea, he’ll send you home with a Sleep Optima at-home sleep test.
Most sleep studies require spending a night away from home, but who sleeps well the first night in a strange new environment? Sleep Optima can produce more accurate data because it monitors you while you sleep in your very own bed.
How can Edgewood Dental Care treat my sleep apnea?
One of the simplest treatments for sleep apnea is a custom mouthguard that will keep your passages open for maximum air intake while you sleep. This mouthguard is different than the type you’d wear for athletics, but we do offer that kind too.
For more serious sleep apnea, we recommend a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine funnels pressurized air into your throat to keep it open while you’re sleeping. CPAP technology has advanced. So, if you’ve seen the big bulky machines on TV, don’t despair. The masks are much smaller now. We’ll make sure you have all the tips you need to sleep comfortably with your CPAP.
A bad bite could also be behind your sleep apnea. Fortunately, Edgewood Dental Care does it all. We can provide your orthodontic treatment in-house. We’ll get you into braces and have your bite right in no time! We offer several different styles for you to choose from, from traditional metal braces to nearly invisible Invisalign braces to Fastbraces that can get your teeth straight in less than a year. Don’t let all your options overwhelm you; come in for a consultation and we’ll walk you through finding the best braces for you.
What if I don’t have sleep apnea?
If Dr. McMahon finds you don’t have sleep apnea, your snoring can still be treated through the use of a mouthguard. Snoring, while not as serious as sleep apnea, can make it just as difficult to get a restful night’s sleep. Snoring that leaves you tired throughout the day or keeps your partner from sleeping should be addressed.
Other causes and treatments for sleep apnea
There are also some things you can do in addition to visiting our dental office to get a better night’s sleep.
Weight loss has been shown to improve the conditions of obstructive sleep apnea. Ask us about our nutritional counseling. Sometimes your sinuses are the culprit and all you need is a little sinus medication at bedtime. Oversized tonsils or adenoids are common causes of sleep apnea in children. But really you should be seen by a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis before beginning any manner of treatment.
Eliminating your vices can help with sleep apnea. Quit smoking and drink alcohol in moderation. While men are at a greater risk for sleep apnea, women are at higher risk while pregnant or after menopause.
Whatever next steps you decide to take, let’s take the first step together. Give us a call at 859-474-7830 or use our convenient online form to schedule your appointment.