At Stone Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Stone aims to create and maintain optimum oral health that encompasses the general well-being of the entire body. Offering treatments for sleep apnea in our Alexandria dental office is just one of the many ways our talented dentist accomplishes this.
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues of the throat are so relaxed that they have the ability to block the airway and cause a stoppage of breathing. Many times, someone who has sleep apnea will wake suddenly with a feeling of being out of breath, or they may be chronic snorers.
However, sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring. What many don’t realize is that sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes the person suffering from it to not get enough air during rest. This leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain and vital organs. In fact, sleep apnea has been directly linked to serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and in the most severe cases, death.
Many times, a qualified dentist may be the first to notice the signs of obstructive sleep apnea. Symptoms may be high blood pressure, wearing of the teeth, or your or your sleep partner’s mention of chronic, frequent snoring.
Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may include:
- Waking during sleep due to interrupted breathing
- Frequent snoring
- Chronic fatigue
- Sluggishness
- Short-term memory loss
- Dry mouth when waking
- Headaches
- Breathlessness
- Irritability
- Depression
- Migraine headaches
When signs of sleep apnea are present, Dr. Stone may refer you to a sleep study specialist he works with closely. If obstructive sleep apnea is confirmed, your treatment will progress depending on the severity of your case. Often, obstructive sleep apnea can be effectively and comfortably treated with the use of an orthotic (a small, comfortable appliance worn in the mouth at night) that will help keep the airway open during sleep.
Nothing may be more gratifying to Dr. Stone and our staff than our ability to provide solutions that protect the overall health and well-being of our patients so they can live long, productive lives. If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, get qualified, compassionate assistance from Dr. Stone by scheduling your consultation at Stone Aesthetic Dentistry today.
