Though sleep apnea is sometimes dismissed as “loud snoring,” it is a condition that can drastically impact your overall health and well-being. Dr. Dave S. Carpenter works with Texas patients to alleviate the effects of sleep apnea to give them — and their grateful sleep partners — more restful sleep. With the help of an oral appliance, patients may be able to skip the CPAP machine altogether.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud, intense snoring
- Constant waking throughout the night
- Trouble breathing mid-sleep
- Tiredness and inability to stay focused during the day
- Having a dry mouth or headache when you wake
If you are concerned you may have sleep apnea, consult with a doctor for confirmation. Keep in mind that you are at greater risk for sleep apnea if you are obese, male, past middle age, a smoker and/or have a family history of the condition.
Oral Appliance Treatment
First, Dr. Carpenter takes an impression of your teeth to create an oral appliance. At a subsequent appointment, Dr. Carpenter will make sure the completed appliance fits just right in your mouth, making any necessary adjustments. He will also provide you with detailed instructions for cleaning the appliance so that you are able to continue using it for years to come.
You will need to wear the oral appliance every night, and remove it in the morning when you wake. Periodic dental appointments are required to make sure the device continues to have the proper fit and is producing the intended effects.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines are critical for many sleep apnea patients, but not everyone can handle having the device strapped to their face. Over half of all sleep apnea patients find that oral appliances are successful at treating their sleep apnea, thereby allowing them to avoid the noise and expensive upkeep of CPAP, not to mention the hassle of lugging the bulky machine around when they travel.
During a consultation, Dr. Carpenter can assess whether you would be a good candidate to try an oral appliance, as well as provide you with the full details necessary to make an informed choice.
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Ignoring sleep apnea is ill-advised. In addition to having restless sleep, you are likely to become moody and get into an accident due to inattentiveness from sleep deprivation.
From a health perspective, sleep apnea puts you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, liver problems and cardiac arrest.
Consultation for Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea and want to explore all the options, your first step should be to schedule an appointment with one of Texas’s most trusted dentists. If you and Dr. Carpenter mutually agree that an oral appliance is the best path forward, he will create a device that should have you sleeping with fewer disruptions soon. To arrange for that appointment, call (409) 898-4300.