Sleep Apnea Treatment San Jose, CA
When most people hear the term sleep apnea, they probably think they have to go to a sleep center or specialized medical facility in order to seek treatment. However, the solution may lie in a place you're already familiar with—your dentist's office! Yes, you can seek treatment for sleep apnea from your dentist.
Not all dentists treat sleep apnea, but some dentists, like Dr. Mamak Saffarpour at New Earth Dental, choose to seek additional training and certifications in sleep medicine. Dr. Saffarpour is highly trained in treating patients with sleep apnea and is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
But What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea affects millions of people worldwide and can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Most often, being overweight, obese or having other respiratory issues can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea. The condition is caused by the soft tissues at the very back of the throat relaxing and covering the airway. This results in loud snoring and cessations in your breathing throughout the night, which causes you to continually wake up to catch your breath.
How Can It Affect You?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that can seriously impact your way of life. Because you're not sleeping properly, you'll find that you are too exhausted to do anything throughout the day. You may even find yourself falling asleep on the job or when trying to spend time with your loved ones. Snoring is also usually linked to obstructive sleep apnea. The loud snoring at night can even be disruptive to your loved ones, causing them to stay awake as well.
Some common symptoms of sleep apnea to be aware of are:
- Extreme sleepiness during the day.
- Issues concentrating.
- Headaches when waking up.
- Sore throat when waking up.
- High blood pressure.
- Restless sleep.
- Loud snoring.
- Nighttime chest pain.
When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause long-term effects on your quality of life and your well-being. Sleep apnea raises your risk of heart conditions or stroke, makes it more difficult to concentrate, can cause aggression and frustration issues, and can lead to motor accidents if you’re driving while drowsy.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Here at New Earth Dental in San Jose, CA, we offer a simple oral appliance that you wear (similar to a retainer) that opens your airway. This oral device eliminates sleep apnea symptoms and makes it easier for you to breathe while you sleep. Patients with more mild sleep apnea symptoms can often benefit from the oral appliance that we make for them in the office. We will go over your health and medical history to ensure that treatment is right for you. If you have sleep apnea, it is important to consider treatment to improve your quality of life.
Custom Made Oral Appliances
Our dentist will take impressions of your mouth and teeth at our San Jose, CA dental office. These molds are then used to make the appliance that you'll wear. You will come into the office to have the appliance fitted and adjusted as needed. You should wear the device each night in order for it to work effectively at treating your sleep apnea. We can then replace the device as it begins to wear or become damaged. Sleep apnea patients find oral appliances to be incredibly comfortable and highly effective at treating the condition.