Sleep Apnea

Do you snore? Has anyone told you that you stop breathing while you are asleep?

Sleep apnea is a growing concern in our country. According to the National Institutes of Health, it affects more than 12 million Americans and is as common as adult diabetes. Lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals has left the vast majority undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing while sleeping. With each apnea event, the brain must arouse the person in order for them to resume breathing. This may happen a few times or up to hundreds of times during the night…leading to fragmented and poor quality sleep. Bruxism or teeth grinding is frequently part of the apnea events and can lead to broken and destroyed teeth and dental restorations.

Untreated sleep apnea can also increase blood pressure, cause weight gain, impotence, increase your risk of stroke, cause morning headaches and also increases your chance of a motor vehicle accident. Apnea is also associated with gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. GERD is acid from your stomach which travels up your esophagus. The acid wears out your teeth and increases your risk of Barrett’s esophagus which can lead to esophageal cancer. (Read Article Here) Sleep apnea is more common in men, those with large necks and people who snore. The incidence of apnea increases with age.

Unfortunately, sleep apnea can also affect children and may adversely affect their growth and development. (Read Article Here)

New research is also pointing to possible cadiovascular damage in children. (Read Article Here)  

Sleep apnea in can only be diagnosed in an accredited sleep lab by a physician. The physician will usually recommend a CPAP machine for adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Surgery to remove tonsils and adnoids may be helpful in children. (Read Article Here) 

For mild to moderate apnea in adults or those who cannot tolerate a CPAP, oral appliances can be fabricated to help hold the lower jaw forward and prevent it from falling back and obstructing the airway. We use a Remmers Sleep Recorder to check the effectiveness of the oral appliances we make to help treat sleep apnea. For more information on sleep apnea and oral appliance therapy, Click Here or Here

 

Contact Us

  • Mendota Dental Associates
  • 720 Main Street
  • Suite 213
  • Mendota Heights, MN 55118

  • (651) 209-9219
Monday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Request An Appointment