Snoring & Sleep Apnea
If you suffer from sleep apnea or excessive snoring, the Hall Dental team in Lethbridge will work with you to determine the cause of the problem, and provide relief via lifestyle change recommendations, snore guards or custom made appliances.
Getting a good night's sleep.
Getting a good night's sleep can be challenging for patients who snore excessively. Snoring happens when the breathing passages are partly blocked, and the air being inhaled and exhaled creates a noisy vibration as it is forced through the tight passages.
Snoring can be an issue in and of itself, or a sign of more serious conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. Patients with sleep apnea experience pauses in their breathing or very shallow breath during sleep. The pauses vary in duration and can last from a few seconds to over a minute, sometimes occuring as many as 30 times an hour.
When breathing is paused during sleep, patients usually move into a lighter phase of sleep or wake entirely. The result is a disrupted sleep pattern and less restful sleep.
Could I be suffering from sleep apnea and not even know it?
Yes! Many patients with sleep apnea don't realize they have it. Sleep apnea significantly disrupts sleep and results in a less restful night for the sufferer, and possibly even their partner.
Sometimes, sleep apnea leads to serious medical conditions. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea feel drowsy or sleepy throughout the day, even if they have slept a long time at night.
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form and is caused by a blockage of the airways. This is often due to the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapsing and temporarily blocking the air passage.
Central sleep apnea is far less common and occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
Why do I need treatment for snoring or sleep apnea?
You need treatment for snoring so that you can get a good night's sleep. Getting enough sleep is extremely important for your overall health and quality of life. Another reason you may need treatment is because snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious condition.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, depression, heart failure and diabetes. It can also increase the likelihood of developing arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) and of having work-related or driving accidents.
How can Hall Dental help?
At Hall Dental, we can help improve your snoring by creating a custom snore guard for you. A snore guard is similar to a bite guard that we custom-fit it to your mouth. The role of the snore guard is to reduce or eliminate your snoring by repositioning your jaw and tongue to allow for unobstructed airflow, resulting in a more restful sleep, leaving you more revitalized and energized in the morning.
When it comes to sleep apnea, we may use a variety of different treatment methods depending on the nature and severity of your case. These can range from simple lifestyle and routine changes, to tremendously effective custom-made dental appliances and surgical intervention.