Dentistry is not limited to the cleaning and care of teeth. One of Dr. Ray Becker’s special interests is treating sleep apnea and sleep-related breathing disorders. With his advanced training and certification, Dr. Becker can provide lasting relief from snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. He uses up-to-date and advanced dental care technology to treat loud snoring and sleep apnea in Columbia, MD.
Many people snore when they sleep. But snoring isn’t always a sign of a more advanced issue. In some cases, snoring can be a sign of a medical issue called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When obstructive sleep apnea happens, patients stop and start breathing throughout the night. The throat muscles collapse and relax and block the airway.
Many patients don’t even realize they have sleep apnea. However, you must seek treatment if you notice any symptoms or if your partner notices changes in your sleep patterns. Contact us if you or your partner notice snoring, gasping for breath, or choking sounds during sleep.
Our newly renovated dental office in Columbia, MD, welcomes patients recently diagnosed with sleep apnea or a sleep disorder. We offer an alternative treatment to those intolerant of CPAP.
Why is Snoring a Problem?
Snoring by itself is not a major medical concern. However, snoring may indicate a more serious condition. Snoring occurs when the soft tissue structures of the upper airway collapse and vibrate during sleep. This produces sound that we call snoring.
The prevalence of sleep apnea increases with age. Doctors estimate that as many as 50% of elderly men and women suffer from the disorder.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Patients who suffer from OSA stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep. A blockage in the airway, when the soft tissue in the back of the mouth collapses, causes OSA.
A person with sleep apnea may wake 50 or more times per hour, almost once a minute. They usually have no memory of it happening.
These awakenings, called micro-arousals, last just long enough to restore muscle tone to the airway so you can breathe. Unfortunately, all those micro-arousals preclude deep and restful sleep. This means you wake up in the morning still feeling tired.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: What to Look Out For
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious matter as it can lead to heart problems and other health issues. You may have OSA if you snore and also suffer from any of the following common symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Irritability
- Poor memory/confusion
- Accident proneness
- Night sweats
- Morning headaches or migraines
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Waking up suddenly gasping or choking
- Dry mouth (especially in the morning)
While sleep apnea can happen to anyone, certain factors make it more likely. Many of these risks are within your control. Things like maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and quitting smoking can significantly lower your chances of developing sleep apnea. Even small lifestyle changes can improve your sleep quality and overall health.
Common risk factors for sleep apnea include:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity or excessive weight
- Small airway
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Family history of sleep apnea
Pauses in breathing during sleep can increase your blood pressure and reduce your blood oxygen. If you have diabetes, you are at an increased risk of dropping glucose levels if you have sleep apnea.
Bad habits like smoking not only relaxes the throat muscles but also increases inflammation in your airway. Physical attributes also have an affect on OSA. Excess fat or folds in the neck create a more narrow airway, leaving less room for proper airflow.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment in Columbia, MD
From simple devices to advanced therapies, we tailor snoring and sleep apnea treatments to each patient’s condition. Certain lifestyle changes can help to alleviate the symptoms of OSA, including:
- Weight loss
- Smoking cessation
- Eliminating alcohol and sedative use
While the CPAP is the gold standard for treating OSA, patients with mild to moderate cases prefer oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance is small, discreet, and comfortable. We see better compliance and better results because of it. We can fabricate a custom-made sleep apnea appliance for you to wear during sleep.
Think of these custom dental devices like a comfortable night guard that does double duty. While you sleep, they hold your airway open to prevent snoring and breathing pauses. The magic happens when you wear it consistently. Night after night, it helps safeguard your heart health and energy levels.
Our oral appliances include customized splints, mouthguards, and night guards. Oral appliances:
- Reposition the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, or uvula
- Stabilize the lower jaw and tongue
- Increase the muscle tone of the tongue
Patient Review
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Untreated sleep apnea can have negative consequences on the entire body. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions about sleep apnea.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
People can live with sleep apnea, but it can increase the risk of death by 17 percent. Untreated sleep apnea can shorten a patient’s life expectancy. But keeping sleep apnea symptoms in check will help reduce related health problems.
Does it mean you have sleep apnea if you snore?
Doctors have associated sleep apnea with snoring. Snoring and sleep apnea can be linked to each other, but many people snore and don’t have sleep apnea.
If you snore and are worried that you have sleep apnea, check and see if you’re experiencing any other symptoms. Then, schedule an appointment with Dr. Becker.
What foods should I avoid if I have sleep apnea?
Patients should avoid pork, lamb, and meat with high saturated fat levels. Eating this causes inflammation, which is dangerous for those with sleep apnea.
Doctors also recommend that patients with sleep apnea avoid alcohol, chocolate, and spicy foods. Any foods that increase inflammation or blood pressure can cause problems for sleep apnea patients.
Does sleep apnea get progressively worse?
Yes, the longer sleep apnea goes untreated, the worse the side effects. It can get to the point where you’re falling asleep while you drive and put you and everyone else on the road at risk.
You’re more likely to have issues with blood pressure and your vascular system. Treating sleep apnea early can prevent reoccurring breathing and heart problems.
Can sleep apnea be hereditary?
Yes. If your parents or close family members have sleep apnea, you may be more likely to develop it too. Some factors, like having a certain shape of your jaw or throat, can be passed down from your family. Lifestyle habits like being overweight or smoking can also increase your risk.
Is sleep apnea related to snoring, or are they different conditions?
Sleep apnea and snoring are related but aren’t the same. Snoring happens when air squeezes past relaxed throat tissues, making them vibrate. That’s what creates the sound. While snoring can be harmless, it can sometimes be a warning sign of sleep apnea.
The key difference is that with regular snoring, you keep breathing normally. With sleep apnea, your breathing actually stops and starts repeatedly throughout the night.
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. But you should see a doctor if you have loud and frequent snoring, especially with gasping or choking sounds. Both conditions can be treated effectively once properly diagnosed.
How does obesity impact sleep apnea?
Obesity can make sleep apnea worse. Extra weight around the neck and throat area can put pressure on the airway while you sleep. This pressure can block the airway or partially close it, which leads to the breathing pauses seen in sleep apnea.
What are the risks of untreated sleep apnea?
Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems. Your body doesn’t get enough oxygen when you stop breathing during sleep. Sleep problems can increase the risk of:
- Heart problems: Sleep apnea can raise the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke.
- Daytime fatigue: Not getting enough sleep can make you feel tired during the day. This can affect your concentration and memory.
- Mood changes: Sleep apnea can cause depression, anxiety, and irritability due to lack of rest.
- Increased risk of accidents: The tiredness caused by sleep apnea can make you more likely to have accidents because you’re not as alert.
- Poor overall health: Untreated sleep apnea can lead to problems with your metabolism, diabetes, and other long-term health issues over time.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
We offer patients treatment for snoring and sleep apnea in the Columbia, MD, area. With his advanced training and certification, Dr. Becker can provide lasting relief from these symptoms. Call us today at (410) 415-9013 with questions or request an appointment online.
