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How to Control Sleep Apnea Symptoms

How to Control Sleep Apnea Symptoms

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How to Control Sleep Apnea Symptoms Dentist Holland MIDoes your partner complain of loud snoring? Do you often wake up suddenly with shortness of breath? If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night. Fortunately, our dentist can use an oral appliance to hold your jaws in place and clear your upper airway. This sleep apnea device can help you breathe and sleep better.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing many times during one night of sleep. There are different types of sleep apnea. However, the most common is called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is most common in people who are overweight because it is caused by soft tissue collapsing at the back of the throat.

Symptoms

If you suspect you or your partner has sleep apnea, call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Our dentist can help you control sleep apnea symptoms with an oral appliance. The sleep apnea device is worn while you sleep, holding your jaws in a fixed position so you can breathe easier.

Signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Episodes where you stop breathing during sleep (witnessed by another person)
  • Waking up suddenly with shortness of breath
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Insomnia
  • Sleepiness during the day
  • Difficulty paying attention

Risk Factors

You’re more likely to have sleep apnea if you’re carrying extra pounds. This is because obstructive sleep apnea happens when soft tissue collapses at the back of your throat, blocking your airway. Patients who have sleep apnea tend to be overweight, white, male, and over 40. However, you don’t have to fit any of these demographics to have sleep apnea.

Our dentist will be able to review your medical history for other risk factors. For example, those who smoke or abuse alcohol are more likely to have sleep apnea later in life. When you first become our patient, we’ll have you fill out a form to describe your medical and dental history.

Treatment

If you suspect you or your partner has sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We want to understand the cause of your episodes so we can provide the correct sleep apnea treatment.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, our dentist may recommend a special oral appliance. The sleep apnea device will hold your jaws in a fixed position while you sleep. Not only will an oral appliance help keep your airway clear, but it’ll help you get a better night’s sleep.

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Aren’t sure if you need a sleep apnea device? Dr. Brenton Habecker can provide you with a custom oral appliance for you to wear at night. To request an appointment with our family dentist in Holland, MI, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.

This blog post has been updated.

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM DR. HABECKER AND HIS TEAM

Dear Patient Family,

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for all of us. Many of you have been forced to wait for dental care and we appreciate your understanding while we kept our office closed to follow orders from the Governor's Office.

We are happy to say that we are opening our office for all patient treatment on June 1st, 2020. Our hours of operation will go back to normal, Monday-Thursday 8am - 5pm. We want you to know that there will be some changes at your next appointment. Please be patient with us as our protocols will inevitably change as new guidelines are released.

  • We ask that you use our parking lot as the waiting room.
  • Please wear a mask when you come into the office and leave it on until entering the treatment room. Homemade is acceptable.
  • Only the person receiving treatment should come in the building, all others will be asked to wait in the car if at all possible. The exception will be for our minor patients who may have one parent accompany them.
  • We will be asking you some questions when you arrive at the office and we will also be taking your temperature.
  • We will not be able to offer magazines, drinks, or toys at this time as they cannot be disinfected to our standards. Eventually this will change and we will be happy to offer our amenities once again.

These changes have been made to adhere to the latest CDC guidelines and for the benefit of our patients and our staff. We want you to know that our office has always taken the safety of our patients very seriously and that we will continue to follow the highest levels of sterilization and disinfection to keep you protected. If you would like more information on what measures we have taken we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

We cannot say how excited we are to see all of our patients again and to provide for their dental needs. We look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces soon!

Dr. Habecker and Team