At our Arlington Heights, IL dentist’s office, Dr. Engelberg provides comprehensive dental services to patients facing any and all dental concerns. Did you know that sleep apnea is often considered a dental concern? This is because in mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, conservative dental treatment options are often the best tools to use when managing your symptoms. Learn more about how Dr. Engelberg, your dentist in Arlington Heights, can help you with your sleep apnea below.
What is sleep apnea?
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is repetitive loud snoring. Most patients are unaware that they have sleep apnea until someone tells them about their loud snoring. More advanced symptoms include waking up gasping for air, daytime fatigue, breathing through the mouth, and irritability. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by an excess of soft tissue in your neck and throat, preventing you from breathing while you sleep.
How can my dentist treat sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is extremely effective at managing your symptoms of sleep apnea. Using a custom nightguard designed by your dentist, the oral appliance will hold your mouth in a healthy resting position, helping you maintain an airway as you sleep. Diagnostic imaging such as x-rays may be done to examine the airway and look for signs of blockage. A sleep study may be performed as well. Laser dentistry options can sometimes be used to get rid of excess tissue blocking your airway as well. Dr. Engleberg offers CPAP to patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea.
What are the risks of untreated sleep apnea?
Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can significantly increase a patient’s risk of stroke and heart attack and impact the severity of systemic diseases such as diabetes. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing throughout the night, reducing oxygen flow to internal organs and causing the patient to awaken with a loud snore as breathing is restored. This continuous experience of not having enough oxygen can cause the development of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, diabetes, and can also cause strokes. You should pursue sleep apnea treatment options as soon as possible to avoid associated health complications.
Schedule An Appointment
If you or a loved one frequently snores, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Engleberg. There are signs and symptoms that he can look for to determine the best treatment option for you. Arlington Heights Smiles serves many local communities including Long Grove, IL, Deerfield, IL, Northbrook, IL, Buffalo Grove, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, and beyond. Please schedule an appointment online, and we look forward to seeing you soon.