What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common and potentially serious sleep disorder that interferes with your ability to breathe while sleeping. It’s often marked by repeated interruptions in breathing, sometimes over 30 times per hour. These pauses can cause gasping, restlessness, and excessive snoring.
Common signs include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Daytime fatigue or brain fog
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Caused by soft tissues in the throat collapsing and blocking the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Caused by the brain not sending proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Why seek treatment for sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can do more than just leave you tired, it can seriously affect your overall health and quality of life.
Physical health benefits
Treating sleep apnea reduces your risk of developing:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Liver complications
- Surgery-related complications
Mental clarity and energy
Sleep apnea often robs sufferers of deep, restorative sleep. Treatment can improve focus, mental sharpness, and reduce feelings of depression and irritability.
Better relationships
Snoring and sleep disturbances affect more than just you. A proper treatment plan can help both you and your partner get a full night’s rest, leading to better moods and stronger relationships.
Treatment options for sleep apnea
Your treatment will depend on the type and severity of your sleep apnea as well as your lifestyle preferences.
Lifestyle changes
For mild cases, simple adjustments can make a big difference. Your dentist might recommend:
- Weight loss
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol or sedatives
- Improving sleep hygiene
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back
CPAP therapy
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is one of the most effective and widely used treatments. It delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to keep your airways open.
Oral appliances
Custom oral appliances can be an excellent alternative to CPAP for many patients. Similar to a mouthguard, these devices adjust the position of your jaw or tongue to prevent airway collapse. If you’re unsure where to start, a Dentist in Mississauga, ON can assess your symptoms and recommend a sleep apnea appliance that works best for you.
Surgery or medication
Some cases may require surgical correction, especially if caused by structural issues like a deviated septum or narrow airway. In some instances, medication may also help regulate breathing patterns.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequent snoring, nighttime choking or gasping, waking up tired despite a full night’s sleep, and daytime grogginess are all strong indicators.
Yes. Many people aren’t aware they’re waking up dozens of times throughout the night. If you feel tired all day but don’t remember waking up, it could still be sleep apnea.
The most common cause is excess weight, but it can also be linked to genetics, age, lifestyle habits, or anatomical factors like a narrow airway.
No. While weight is a major risk factor, sleep apnea can affect anyone, including thin individuals—especially if other factors are present.
Sleeping on your side is generally the most effective position for reducing sleep apnea and snoring.
Yes. Left untreated, sleep apnea can raise your risk of chronic diseases, impair your cognitive function, and impact your emotional well-being.
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