At Turman Dental, we assist our patients that are suffering from sleep apnea to help them have a better quality of sleep and life. Sleep apnea is a condition where the airway experiences blockage while the person is sleeping. This results in intervals where the person is not breathing. The brain wakes up the person to breathe after these periods. These moments of wakefulness, even if the person does not register or remember being awake, result in interrupted sleep patterns.
Typically, partners of people with sleep apnea are the ones to notice this behavior and tell the person. Symptoms of sleep apnea also include snoring, insomnia, dry mouth, irritability and drowsiness.
Options for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed by sleep doctors via a sleep study where changes in physical activity are monitored and recorded, helping confirm whether the patient has sleep apnea and how severe their condition is. A continuous positive airway pressure device, also known as a CPAP machine, is typically prescribed to patients experiencing obstructive sleep apnea. This machine includes a mask that the patient wears over their nose and mouth, and the device helps keep the airway open with a steady airflow.
We also offer dental sleep appliances to help treat sleep apnea. These oral appliances provide additional room for the tongue while allowing the lips to close, cutting down on snoring and making breathing easier. These devices also usually come with an adjustment key so that the patient can adjust the device to move their jaw to their preferred position.
Untreated sleep apnea can result in bigger health concerns, such as high blood pressure, exhaustion, type II diabetes and liver and heart problems. Sleep apnea also affects the loved ones of the person, causing stress for partners who hear the patient’s snoring and the interrupted breathing.
To learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Linton, North Dakota, we invite you to call us today at 701-254-4521. Our dentist, Dr. Cris Turman, and team would be happy to schedule a consultation with you.
