If you've been waking up feeling exhausted, struggling with headaches, or hearing complaints about your loud snoring, you might be one of the millions of people who have sleep apnea. Around 936 million adults worldwide have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — the most common type of sleep apnea.

Receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when you are exploring your options to manage it. CPAP machines are a standard treatment, but thankfully, they aren’t the only solution. In recent years, dentists have started playing a more significant role in diagnosing and managing sleep apnea. Using their expert training in oral appliances, dentists can help you breathe better, sleep soundly, and improve your quality of life. 

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or suspect you may have a sleep disorder, understanding how a dentist can assist you on your journey to better sleep is a big step toward better health. Read on to learn more about how dentists can help with sleep apnea and where to find the best sleep apnea treatment in Hillsborough, NJ.

Understanding Sleep Apnea and How It Affects Your Health

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that involves repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. It occurs when throat muscles relax enough to block the airway, as with obstructive sleep apnea, or when the brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles, known as central sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud or chronic snoring
  • Gasping, choking, or snorting during sleep
  • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating during the day
  • Irritability and mood changes throughout the day due to poor sleep 
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

When left untreated, sleep disorders can lead to severe health complications, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to daytime drowsiness. This makes getting an early diagnosis and adequate treatment important for long-term health.

How Dentists Can Help Diagnose and Manage Sleep Apnea

Dentists play an essential role in early sleep apnea detection, as they are often the first healthcare providers to notice warning signs of sleep-disordered breathing during routine dental exams. These indicators include: 

  • Worn tooth surfaces from bruxism, also known as teeth grinding
  • Scalloped tongue
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Anatomical features such as a small jaw or restricted airway space

Dentists can employ specialized screening tools during dental check-ups, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG questionnaires, to assess patients' risk factors and sleep patterns. They also evaluate the oral cavity, throat, and neck anatomy for potential airway obstructions. 

If sleep apnea is suspected, dentists can work in close partnership with sleep physicians and specialists to create a collaborative approach to diagnosis and treatment, which may include referrals for sleep studies and the development of comprehensive treatment plans that address both oral health and sleep-related breathing disorders.

How a Dentist Can Help Manage Sleep Apnea With an Alternative to CPAP

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is an alternative to CPAP machines for treating obstructive sleep apnea through the use of custom-fitted dental appliances that gently position the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. This helps maintain an open airway by preventing the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing backward. 

Most people find that OAT is better than CPAP machines because the oral appliances are:

  • More comfortable
  • Silent
  • Easy to maintain
  • Portable for travel
  • Require no electricity
  • Far less intrusive than CPAP machines

Additionally, these devices are discreet, allow for normal speech and drinking water, and can be easily adjusted to optimize their effectiveness while maintaining patient comfort. All of these benefits lead to better patient compliance and treatment outcomes. 

Where to Find the Best Sleep Apnea Doctor in Hillsborough

At Smiles Family Dentistry, our experienced team combines advanced sleep apnea expertise with compassionate, personalized care to help patients achieve restful, healthy sleep. Our skilled dental specialists stay current with the latest developments in dental sleep medicine, offering state-of-the-art oral appliance therapy customized to each patient's unique needs. 

We understand that seeking treatment for sleep apnea can feel overwhelming, so we take time to thoroughly explain all treatment options and work closely with local sleep specialists to ensure comprehensive care. 

Our transparent pricing makes treatment accessible, and Smiles Family Members enjoy exclusive discounts on dental services that include sleep apnea screenings. 

Ready to experience true rest with the best sleep apnea remedy in Hillsborough?