Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment in Schenectady

Snoring is a common occurrence for most people. However, excessive snoring can signal a more serious condition known as sleep apnea. The condition causes you to wake up multiple times a night to restart your breathing, interfering with the quality of your sleep and overall well-being in the long term. People with sleep apnea may also experience tooth grinding and clenching (bruxism), which can damage teeth and lead to complications like jaw pain.

At Padula Family Dentistry, we provide effective treatments for sleep apnea and snoring to improve your sleep, protect your teeth, and safeguard your overall oral health. We also ensure that you are comfortable and enjoy a positive experience at our practice. If incessant snoring is interfering with your sleep, or you struggle with teeth grinding and clenching, our team can help. Schedule an appointment with our sleep apnea dentist today!

CALL US: (518) 346-2500 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing stops while sleeping, forcing you to wake up to restart your breathing. These pauses in breathing last several seconds and can occur multiple times at night. The symptoms are subtle, making it difficult for most people to know they have a problem. Sleep apnea comes in three main types depending on the cause - obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form and occurs when your breathing stops due to airway blockage. In these cases, the throat muscles and soft tissues relax and collapse, blocking the airways and making breathing difficult. You can treat obstructive sleep apnea using a sleep apnea dental device.

Central sleep apnea happens when your brain doesn't transmit signals to the muscles responsible for breathing, while complex sleep apnea combines obstructive and central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea are far less common and require specialized treatment, including neurological care.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Since it can be difficult to know when you have sleep apnea, knowing the symptoms can help you seek early intervention and prevent further complications. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, watch out for the following signs:

• Loud or excessive snoring
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Waking up abruptly, accompanied by choking or gasping
• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Mood swings and irritability
• Chronic fatigue

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, you should seek professional help if you notice most of the above symptoms, especially paused breathing when sleeping, excessive daytime sleepiness, and awakenings with gasping and choking. Snoring also becomes a problem when it is loud enough to interfere with your sleep or that of others.

Our Sleep Apnea and Snoring Solutions in Schenectady

When you visit our practice for treatment, our sleep apnea dentist will evaluate your situation to understand your needs. The assessment includes looking for related problems like bruxism that may contribute to the condition. We also educate our patients and provide professional advice on preventing sleep apnea and snoring, such as quitting harmful habits like smoking and alcohol use.

Our team will send you out for a sleep study to ascertain the severity of your condition and establish whether you qualify for a sleep apnea dental device for snoring. If you are diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, we can help you explore all of your options.

A CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machine is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea. It is a device for snoring that provides airflow through a mask you wear while sleeping, which keeps your airways open to ease your breathing and helps alleviate snoring and bruxism. However, not everyone can successfully use a CPAP or finds them difficult to use. In such cases, you may find more relief from a dental appliance.

Sleep apnea appliances are custom devices that can help keep your airway open at night. They work by either moving your jaw forward or holding your tongue in place, thus keeping the muscles and soft tissues from collapsing your airway. We can discuss these devices and help you evaluate whether your situation is best treated with a CPAP or a dental appliance.

Why You Should Never Ignore Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Sleep apnea and snoring can be detrimental to your overall well-being and quality of life in the long term. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be life-threatening as the constant breathing pauses lowers the oxygen supply in the blood. The drop in oxygen supply leads to high blood pressure as the heart struggles to supply it throughout the body, thus increasing your risk of developing heart disease.

Additionally, most people with sleep apnea also struggle with bruxism. Bruxism puts pressure on your jaws and teeth, which not only wears down your enamel but also causes discomfort and other conditions that affect mouth function, like TMJ disorders. By treating sleep apnea and snoring, you also ease bruxism and protect your dental health and oral function in the long term.

What Causes Sleep Apnea and Snoring?

Sleep apnea and snoring usually occur due to obstructed airways caused by collapsed throat muscles and soft tissues. Although anyone can develop sleep apnea and begin snoring, the following factors put you at a higher risk:

• Obesity
• Aging
• Naturally narrow airways due to genetics
• Medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma
• Biological sex, as men have a higher risk of sleep apnea and snoring than women
• Smoking
• Using alcohol, tranquilizers, and sedatives

Enjoy Quality Sleep with Effective Sleep Apnea Treatments in Schenectady

If you suspect you struggle with sleep apnea and snoring, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Our sleep apnea dentist in Schenectady can help you enjoy a more restful sleep, protect your dental health, and safeguard your overall well-being. You can count on our team to address your situation with honesty and compassion, so you have a clear understanding of all your options and can make the healthiest choice for your life. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

CALL US: (518) 346-2500 REQUEST APPOINTMENT