We can all agree that snoring is an annoying habit to have – especially where tired spouses are concerned. The habit can keep your family awake at night, disrupt your own sleep, and leave you with a sore throat in the morning. But did you know that snoring can actually be an indicator of a much more serious condition? If you’re a chronic snorer, you might be suffering from sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous disorder that causes a person to stop breathing constantly through the night, usually for instances of ten seconds or longer. People who suffer from untreated sleep apnea not only suffer from chronic exhaustion and lessened enjoyment of life, but could also suffer possible complications later in life. Here at Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, our team is happy to provide you with a variety of effective solutions to treat your sleep apnea. With the help of Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier, you and your family will be back to peaceful slumber in no time.
But first, how do you know for sure if you have sleep apnea? Here are some common symptoms:
- Chronic exhaustion/ drowsiness during the day, no matter how sleep you got the night before
- Waking up with a dry mouth or throat after sleep
- Constant choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
- Loud snoring
- Constantly waking up during the night
- Morning headaches
Some of those sound familiar! What are my options for treatment?
After Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier have concurred that you are in fact suffering from sleep apnea, there are a few solutions you both can pursue, depending on the severity of the disorder. First, they can offer you the use of an oral appliance (commonly referred to as a snoreguard). Wearing a snoreguard alleviates snoring and keeps your airway open. If your symptoms don’t respond to that treatment, Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier may recommend that you see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders, or that you look into the use of a CPAP machine, which consists of a box, facemask, and tube that carries air to your body while you sleep.
Our team is committed to providing you with comfortable and personalized service, here at Dental Expressions. Let us give you a reason to smile! Call our office today to schedule a consultation for your sleep apnea treatment. We proudly serve patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and surrounding communities.
