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Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment in Sedalia, MO

Are you looking for a dentist in Sedalia to help with your sleep apnea? We don't blame you! Up to 76 percent of physicians who are not sleep doctors do not screen patients for sleep apnea and may place you on high blood pressure medications without screening you for the sleep disorder. But our dentist looks for the signs.

Obstructive sleep apnea means you stop breathing for brief periods throughout the night.

If you are married or have a partner, you probably value your quiet time at the end of a long day. It can be some of the most valuable time in a relationship!

If you or your partner snores, however, you know how disruptive it can be to share a bed. Many couples make separate sleeping arrangements, which can result in a strain on the relationship.

Additionally, it may contribute to a variety of health issues, and loud snoring can also indicate a severe underlying medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.

If you suspect sleep apnea in yourself or a loved one, contact our sleep apnea dentist in Sedalia, MO today. Read on to learn more about this potentially dangerous sleep condition.

How can my dentist in Sedalia, MO diagnose my sleep apnea?
Why should I treat my sleep apnea?
What causes sleep apnea?
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
What are the statistics on sleep apnea?
How will you treat my sleep apnea?
Will I have to wear an oral appliance for life?

How can my dentist in Sedalia, MO diagnose my sleep apnea?

Dr. Jon will work in conjunction with your primary care physician to obtain a sleep study to determine if your snoring means obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that creates a blocked airway during the relaxed state of sleep.

In many cases, a sleep study in your own bed is a possibility. If the results are inconclusive, however, the sleep specialist may require an overnight study in a clinic.

Sleep studies measure the number of times you awaken per night because of a blocked airway. While you may have no memory of waking from sleep, it can happen dozens of times per night, reducing the quality of your sleep.

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea in Sedalia, MO, you may not be getting the sleep you need to enjoy a healthy life. You may also be deprived of the oxygen you need for the vital functions in your body, leading to serious health consequences.

Your Sedalia dentist may also ask questions, including:

  • Have you been told you snore?
  • Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea?
  • Do you wear CPAP? Or have you in the past? Have you been told to?
  • Have you had a sleep study or been told to get a sleep study?
  • In children-have Tonsils and adenoids been removed?

Why should I treat my sleep apnea?

Snoring is annoying and can ruin a good night's sleep, but obstructive sleep apnea may lead to additional severe health consequences or linked to the following:

  • Stroke
  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Impotence
  • Optometry
  • Heart Attacks
  • Acid reflux
  • Auto accidents
  • Periodontal disease
  • Obesity
  • Hypertension
  • Cancer
  • Depression

At Tiger Family Dental, we want you to be safe, sleep better, and enjoy a healthy life going forward. Our dentist in Sedalia always takes sleep apnea very seriously!

What causes sleep apnea?

The causes of obstructive sleep apnea include loose tissue at the back of the throat, a wide neck circumference, obesity, and age (over 40). This condition is also more common in males.

The severity of obstructive sleep apnea increases with alcohol use and certain medications. Smoking, genetics, and your oral anatomy may also play a role.

Your dentist in Sedalia, MO may also notice specific physical findings, including:

  • Large tongue
  • Scalloped tongue
  • Turkey waddle
  • Overbite
  • Acid Reflux
  • Bruxing (teeth grinding)
  • Clenching
  • Mouth breathing
  • Vaulted palate-mouth breathing as a kid
  • Gag reflex
  • Airway abnormalities

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea leaves most patients drained over time. It can interfere with work, driving, thinking, planning, and a healthy lifestyle.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

  • Snoring
  • Depression
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Poor memory
  • Morning headaches
  • Fragmented or "light" sleep
  • Nocturnal urination
  • Floppy eye syndrome

Also, if you've been diagnosed with any of the following and take the accompanying medications, you may suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea in Sedalia, MO:
  • Acid Reflux-Nexium, Prilosec, Zantac, Protonix, Prevacid, Pepcid
  • Diabetes-Metformin, Glucophage, Glucotrol
  • High Blood Pressure-Beta-blockers (Atenolol), ACE inhibitors (Altace), Calcium Channel Blockers (Verapamil)
  • Depression-Elavil, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil
  • Heart Disease-Warfarin, Nitrate, Amiodarone, Aspirin, Diuretics (HCTZ and Furosemide)

What are the statistics on sleep apnea?

The statistics on sleep apnea are scary, but with treatment, you can overcome the ill effects of this disease.

  • Up to 20 percent of adults have obstructive sleep apnea-one out of four men and one in 10 women
  • Following menopause, men and women are equally likely to suffer from sleep apnea.
  • Half of all sleep apnea sufferers are over age 50.
  • Up to 90 percent of sufferers go undiagnosed.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent than diabetes or asthma.
  • Sixty-six percent of acid reflux sufferers have obstructive sleep apnea with atypical symptoms.
  • People with sleep apnea are five times more likely to suffer from depression-10 times more likely with accompanying insomnia.
  • Up to 60 percent of sleep apnea sufferers are obese.
  • Sleep apnea sufferers are three times more likely to have a stroke and account for up to 95 percent of all nocturnal strokes.

How will you treat my sleep apnea?

In many cases, doctors recommend a CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine to treat sleep apnea. It works by keeping your airway open using a constant flow of air. Patients who tolerate the CPAP machine well get great results. Not everyone can get used to wearing the mask or the sound of the device, however. For those patients, we offer an alternative to CPAP treatment.

Oral appliance therapy is an effective way to treat sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

We'll design a custom oral appliance that you wear during sleep. Your oral device will fit snugly and gently open your airway by either moving your lower jaw forward or changing the position of your tongue so you can breathe properly.

Oral appliance therapy works well for patients who want a convenient and comfortable alternative to CPAP treatment.

Will I have to wear an oral appliance for life?

Your dentist in Sedalia, MO customizes your oral appliance to fit comfortably. While it may take a little time to adjust to the appliance, most patients forget that it is there. It merely becomes part of their sleep like brushing, flossing, and putting on pajamas.

Specific lifestyle changes may help with sleep apnea, including weight loss, surgery, cessation of alcohol, and smoking.

With the right lifestyle changes, you may be eligible for a future sleep study to see if you still need an oral appliance or CPAP machine.

However, most patients do well with our appliance as it integrates into their nightly routine.

Call for Your Sleep Apnea Treatment in Sedalia

Contact Tiger Family Dental, and we can take the first step toward keeping you healthy through a good night's sleep.

If you have any questions, we also invite you to contact us today.

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Dental Sleep Apnea Appliance Review - Sedalia, MO

"First one that falls asleep wins!" has always been the running joke between me and my husband. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, always restless, having trouble with concentration and memory. I became excessively tired throughout the day. A CPAP mask strapped around my head, covering my nose and mouth was the prescribed resolution. It was impossible to get comfortable enough to sleep while wearing the CPAP because I sleep on my side and stomach.

In search of an alternative, effective solution. While researching, I found the National Sleep Foundation says more than 18 million adults suffer from sleep apnea. It also talked about ongoing damage to your health when your oxygen to your brain is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Then I found out about Dentist, Dr. Jon Ehlers treating sleep apnea patients with an oral appliance. I called his office, confirmed the availability of the sleep apnea treatment, and made my appointment.

That appointment changed my life. It was amazing to wake-up after the first night of wearing my device and realizing I slept all night. My husband immediately noticed I was no longer snoring. It has been a year now and I'm still sleeping all night without snoring.

I am forever grateful to Dr. Jon for improving my quality of daily life. In fact, I was so impressed with Dr Jon and his amazing staff. He is not only my hero for treating my sleep apnea. He is now our family dentist.

Stephanie Hetrick

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