Experience Better Sleep and Health with Just Smile Dental

If you wake up feeling tired, fatigued, or moody during the day, sleep apnea may be to blame. This common yet often overlooked sleep disorder affects millions worldwide, causing recurring pauses in breathing during sleep and leading to poor rest and potential health issues. 

Thankfully, Just Smile Dental in Everett, WA, offers effective sleep apnea treatments to restore your health and quality of sleep. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. William Webley by calling (425) 341-1111.

a diagram of obstructive sleep apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway blockages. When the muscles in the throat and mouth relax, they can obstruct airflow, causing breathing pauses that may last from a few seconds to minutes. These interruptions often happen multiple times throughout the night, disrupting sleep quality and leaving you feeling unrested.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

  1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most prevalent form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax, causing an airway blockage.
  2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): CSA is less common and involves a malfunction in the brain’s respiratory control, where the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.
  3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS): Also known as mixed sleep apnea, CSAS is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Pauses in breathing during sleep, which are often observed by a bed partner
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent awakenings during the night to urinate (nocturia)
  • Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or believe you have sleep apnea, contact our Everett dental office today to set up your consultation. 

Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are various causes and risk factors for developing sleep apnea. These include:

  • Gender: Men are generally at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea than women, although the risk increases for women after menopause.
  • Age: Sleep apnea is more common in older adults, but it can affect people of all ages, including children.
  • Family History: A family history of sleep apnea may increase the risk.
  • Alcohol and Sedative Use: The consumption of alcohol or sedative medications can relax throat muscles, increasing the risk of airway obstruction.
  • Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop sleep apnea due to increased inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
  • Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion or allergies can make it difficult to breathe through the nose, increasing the likelihood of developing sleep apnea.
  • Neck Circumference: People with thicker neck circumference may have a narrower airway, making them more susceptible to OSA.
  • Hormones: Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase the risk of sleep apnea.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

To obtain a sleep apnea diagnosis, you’ll likely experience the following:

  1. Physical Examination: We’ll conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, throat, and neck to identify any anatomical factors that may contribute to sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils or a narrow airway. If we believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, we’ll refer you to a sleep specialist for a sleep study. 
  2. Sleep Study: Polysomnography is the most common test to diagnose sleep apnea. This overnight study involves monitoring your sleep patterns, brain activity, heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vital signs. It can be conducted in a sleep laboratory or at home using portable monitoring devices.
  3. Diagnosis: The sleep specialist will go over your sleep study results to determine if you have sleep apnea. For people with sleep apnea, you’ll return to our Everett dental office, where we’ll create your custom treatment plan. 

Our Everett dentist offers free sleep assessments to diagnose your sleep disorder. We’ll use your assessment results to determine if you need further study. Seeking professional treatment can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your sleep quality while preventing further complications. Call our office to schedule your free assessment at (425) 341-1111.

man feeling unrested

Sleep Apnea Treatments

There are various types of sleep apnea treatments available. We’ll go over your options and discuss which will be best suited to treat sleep apnea and meet your needs.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

CPAP is a widely used treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask over the nose or mouth during sleep, which delivers a constant stream of pressurized air, keeping the airway open.

Oral Appliance Therapy (Intra-Oral Devices)

Custom-fitted oral appliances, also known as intra-oral devices, are worn during sleep to help prevent airway obstruction. These devices work by repositioning the jaw and tongue, effectively opening the airway and reducing sleep apnea symptoms. Dr. Webley carefully assesses each patient’s needs to provide a personalized fit, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. These may include maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side rather than your back.

Mouth and Throat Exercises

Mouth and throat exercises can be a useful complement to other treatments for mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These exercises strengthen the muscles in the mouth and throat, potentially reducing the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. However, these exercises may not be a standalone solution for moderate-to-severe OSA.

TMJ Treatment

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment is a non-invasive approach that can address jaw alignment issues that may contribute to sleep apnea. By carefully evaluating the alignment and function of the jaw, Dr. Webley can recommend and implement targeted treatments to improve breathing and reduce apnea episodes. TMJ treatment at Just Smile Dental aims to relieve the underlying causes of sleep apnea and enhance overall sleep quality.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a specialized treatment approach that targets specific muscle areas to alleviate tension and promote relaxation. For sleep apnea, trigger point therapy can address muscle tightness and discomfort contributing to airway obstructions. Our Everett dentist offers trigger point therapy to provide relief and improve the overall sleep apnea management plan for our patients.

Surgical Interventions

In some cases, surgical options may be considered to address anatomical issues contributing to sleep apnea. These include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), genioglossus advancement, or mandibular advancement surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sleep apnea go undiagnosed?

Yes, sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, as its symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions or overlooked as mere snoring. Many individuals may attribute their daytime fatigue, lack of energy, or morning headaches to factors unrelated to sleep apnea. Seeking professional evaluation is essential for avoiding undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Can children develop sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea can affect individuals of all ages, including children. Pediatric sleep apnea often occurs due to anatomical factors such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which can obstruct the airway during sleep. Children with sleep apnea may exhibit symptoms such as snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, and daytime sleepiness.

Are there any natural remedies for sleep apnea?

While lifestyle changes can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, professional treatment is usually necessary for effective management. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can contribute to better sleep quality and overall well-being. Lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and practicing good sleep hygiene can have a positive impact.

Can dental issues contribute to sleep apnea?

Yes, dental issues such as misaligned teeth, a small jaw, or a narrow airway can contribute to sleep apnea. Dental professionals can play a significant role in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea by providing oral appliances or referring patients to specialists for further evaluation.

Break Free from Sleep Apnea

Take control of your sleep and reclaim the restful nights you deserve. It’s time to seek professional help and discover effective treatment options that make a significant difference. 

Contact our Everett dental team today at (425) 341-1111 to schedule an appointment. Together, we can address your sleep apnea concerns, provide personalized care, and guide you toward a healthier, more revitalized life complete with healthy sleep. We welcome patients in Edmonds, Marysville, Lynnwood, and Silver Firs, WA.