Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing becomes shallow as you sleep. It may even stop altogether. That repeatedly happens during your sleep cycle, possibly as many as hundreds of times during the night. At Kellerman Dental, among the many valuable services that we offer is sleep apnea dentistry, in which you will be diagnosed, evaluated, and treated.

What are the signs of sleep apnea? Some are ones that you can keep track of without difficulty, such as,

• Experiencing fatigue,
• Feeling tired even though you had a full night’s sleep,
• Headaches,
• Dry mouth,
• Sore throat upon waking,
• Night sweats,
• Difficulties getting up in the morning,
• A choking or gasping feeling during the night,
• Sexual dysfunction.

All of the above are symptoms of sleep apnea. Another key is that you cannot detect unless you have a sleeping partner who is snoring.

Treatment options vary based on the severity of your situation, but mild cases may respond very well to lifestyle adjustments. If you are overweight, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea, consider dieting and exercise to effect a more healthy body weight. You can achieve up to 26% less sleep disturbance by losing as little as 10% of your current weight. Smoking, alcohol, and sleeping pills also contribute to the problem.

Among the more immediate treatments effective is oral appliance therapy, which repositions your jaw and tongue forward while you sleep. That keeps your airway open to a greater degree and is comfortable and straightforward to use. More complex methods may have to be considered if you don’t respond to oral appliance therapy, but most patients find that they achieve the desired results.

Our dental office is committed to helping you to avoid the consequences of sleep apnea. Call us and book an appointment with Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, IL.

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