Wake up refreshed with easy-to-wear sleep apnea treatment
While it may seem counter-intuitive at first, the dentist’s office is exactly the place for sleep apnea detection and multi-faceted, non-invasive treatment options. Consider that dentists like Westlake Family Dentistry’s very own Dr. Brad Sievert have substantial, focused oral anatomy and function training. Since sleep apnea is a type of sleep-disordered breathing characterized by lax tissues in the throat, it makes sense to turn to a dental professional for care that you can trust.
Additionally, dentists are often on the front lines of detecting sleep apnea. During routine visits to our office in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Dr. Sievert may notice the following concerning symptoms or discussing potentially troublesome symptoms with you:
- Chronic loud snoring
- Chronic headaches, primarily upon waking
- Daytime fatigue and sleeplessness
- Xerostomia or dry mouth, a risk factor for tooth decay and gum disease
- Frequent sore throat
- Signs of bruxism or teeth grinding (i.e., chipped teeth and wear and tear)
- Irritability and other mood changes
- Cognitive problems, like poor concentration and memory impairment
Ongoing lack of quality sleep also puts our valued patients at increased risk of accidents on the job while operating machinery or on the road while driving. Additionally, the lack of restful sleep stresses the heart and other organs. Individuals with sleep apnea are, in fact, more likely to suffer from severe medical conditions ranging from heart disease to Type 2 diabetes. It is vital that we accurately identify the source of these disruptive symptoms and treat sleep apnea promptly. In conjunction with our patients’ medical teams, we are privileged to pinpoint the most effective treatment to support healthy, uninterrupted breathing during sleep.
Depending on the type and severity of the detected sleep apnea, we may recommend oral appliance therapy. Custom appliances are created to fit your mouth and maintain an open airway when you fall asleep. Many of our patients appreciate that oral devices are an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean, lightweight, silent, and portable alternative to noisy CPAP machines that use nasal masks to deliver “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” through the night.
For your health, do not sleep on sleep apnea therapy. Contact us today at (503) 386-4164 without delay to schedule your appointment. Our practice in Lake Oswego is proud to serve patients throughout the area, including West Linn and South Portland.