Sleep Apnea Therapy in Virginia Beach

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders affecting millions of adults and kids in the US. A sleep apnea event is said to occur when patients stop breathing for ten or more seconds at a time during sleep. While this may seem like a relatively harmless sleep disorder, the truth of the matter is that patients who suffer from sleep apnea experience numerous oral and overall health issues including severe daytime exhaustion, elevated blood pressure, and difficulty concentrating. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea or feel you’re at risk for sleep apnea, Virginia Beach dentist, Dr. Carol F. Morgan, offers advanced oral appliance therapy to improve quantity and quality of sleep. To find out more or schedule a sleep apnea consultation, contact Hampton Roads Center for Cosmetic Dentistry today. We’ll evaluate your diagnosis, recommend a sleep testing facility, and help you achieve better sleep and overall health.

Who is Affected by Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anyone, at any age, but there are some risk factors that increase the chances for sleep apnea. Some of the most common risk factors associated with sleep apnea include:

• Gender – men are almost twice as likely to suffer from sleep apnea
• Race – African Americans and Native Americans are much more likely to have sleep apnea
• Age – patients over the age of 50 are at an increased risk for sleep apnea
• Neck circumference – patients with a neck circumference over 16 inches are much more likely to experience sleep apnea
• Weight – obese patients are at a much higher risk for sleep apnea

How do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

The best way to know whether or not you have sleep apnea is to visit a trusted sleep physician for a sleep test. However, you may want to seek sleep apnea assessment sooner rather than later, if you experience any of the following warning signs:

• Loud, chronic snoring is often indicative of sleep apnea
• Severe daytime sleepiness even after sleeping eight or more hours
• Waking gasping for breath or wheezing
• Waking with a headache or earache
• Morning dry mouth or very hoarse voice
• Difficulty concentrating or memory loss
• Unexplained changes in mood or personality

How can Your Dentist in Virginia Beach Help?

Dentists may not be the first physicians you think of contacting after being diagnosed with sleep apnea. However, dental practitioners have advanced training that gives them a complete understanding of how oral and facial structures work together, including healthy airway function. Patients who are CPAP intolerant, those who do not achieve adequate improvement with CPAP alone, and those who travel frequently should all consider visiting the dentist for a custom sleep apnea appliances. These oral appliances gently shift the jaw forward to place pressure on throat muscles that keeps the airway clear during sleep.