Sleep Apnea

If you have difficulty sleeping well or feeling rested when you wake up, sleep apnea might be why. At Urbandale Smiles in Urbandale, Iowa, skilled dentists offer noninvasive sleep apnea treatments to help you get a good night’s rest and wake up energized. Call the office to schedule an evaluation, or use the online booking tab today.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting the high-quality sleep your body needs to function well. It’s often related to obstructed breathing during sleep. The Urbandale Smiles dental providers specialize in treating sleep apnea using oral appliances to improve your breathing, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Problems falling or staying sleep
• Waking up several times during the night
• Daytime fatigue
• Waking up feeling tired
• Loud snoring or grunting
• Gasping during sleep
• Frequent pauses in breathing
• Choking sounds while sleeping

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airways become blocked. Treatment can relieve bothersome symptoms, allowing you to get the high-quality sleep you deserve. 

How serious is sleep apnea?

When left untreated, sleep apnea may increase your risk of death during sleep. This is especially true if you stop breathing more than 20 times in an hour, as this can lead to low blood oxygen levels in the body.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

The cause of sleep apnea isn’t entirely clear, but some of its risk factors include:

• Family history of sleep apnea
• Carrying excess body weight
• Thick neck circumference
• Narrow airway
• Older age
• Smoking
• Alcohol, sedative, or tranquilizer use
• Nasal congestion
• Medical conditions
• Being male

Men are 2-3 times more likely than women to experience sleep apnea. 

Some of the medical conditions that may increase the chance of sleep apnea include type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, asthma or other lung diseases, prior stroke, and congestive heart failure, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

A doctor diagnoses sleep apnea after reviewing your symptoms, listening to your breathing during a physical exam, and ordering a sleep study. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to breathe easier at night, see the specialists at Urbandale Smiles for an evaluation. 

How is sleep apnea treated?

Traditional treatment for sleep apnea uses a CPAP machine, which continuously forces air into your airway throughout the night. However, the machine is often bulky, loud, and uncomfortable.

The Urbandale Smiles providers offer custom-fitted dental appliances that reposition your jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep. It prevents your tongue from blocking the airway and disrupting your breathing. The oral appliances are comfortable, lightweight, and easy to travel with. Dental appliances are the perfect solution for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

To get treated for sleep apnea at Urbandale Smiles, call the office or use the online scheduler today.