Sleep Apnea

If you struggle to sleep well because of breathing challenges associated with sleep apnea, turn to Los Gatos Center for Dental Excellence in Los Gatos, California. Board-certified dentist Ladan Sahabi, DDS, offers oral devices that treat sleep apnea, help you breathe easier, and allow you to sleep soundly. Schedule an evaluation by phone or online today to get started.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, is a sleep disorder that negatively affects your breathing and sleep quality. Often caused by irregularities in your airway, sleep apnea reduces the steady intake of oxygen needed for your brain and body to function at its best. 

Sleep apnea usually leads to snoring or periodic episodes of paused breathing. Treatment reduces bothersome symptoms of sleep apnea and improves your quality of life.

What are the hallmark symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can cause the following symptoms:

• Loud snoring
• Frequent morning headaches
• Night sweats
• Waking up during the night
• Daytime fatigue
• Waking up feeling tired
• Episodes of stopped breathing
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Mental fogginess 
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Irritability 

Untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of accidents, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart or liver problems, strokes, and other health complications.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

While the cause isn’t entirely clear, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with the following risk factors:

• Family history of sleep apnea
• Thick neck
• Obesity
• Narrowed airway
• Alcohol, sedative, or tranquilizer use
• Nasal congestion
• Allergies
• Smoking
• Certain medical conditions
• Reaching menopause in women
• Being male

Men are 2-3 times more likely to develop sleep apnea than women. Other risk factors include congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions. 

Adopting healthy habits may reduce your chance of having sleep apnea, but you can’t necessarily avoid it.

How does my dentist treat sleep apnea?

If your provider has diagnosed sleep apnea based on your symptoms, a medical exam, and a sleep study, see Dr. Sahabi at Los Gatos Center for Dental Excellence for noninvasive treatment options. She offers a custom-fitted oral appliance that reduces airway obstruction, improves airflow, and treats apnea to help you sleep better and wake up well-rested.

The appliance works by repositioning your lower jaw or retaining your tongue, holding the airway open during sleep to give your brain the amount of oxygen it prefers.

Schedule an evaluation at Los Gatos Center for Dental Excellence by phone or online today for relief from sleep apnea symptoms.