If you often wake up feeling tired or your partner says you snore loudly at night, you might have a condition called sleep apnea. Dr. Rachel Barone offers treatment options for sleep apnea in Boulder, CO. She can help you sleep better and feel more rested during the day. Believe it or not, sleep apnea is part of the common dental concerns we treat at Gunbarrel Dental Center.
How Do I Know I Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a health problem that affects how you breathe while you sleep. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing can stop and start many times during the night. These pauses in breathing might only last a few seconds, but they can happen over and over again while you sleep. You might not even realize it’s happening, but it can keep you from getting a good night’s rest.
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. This happens when the muscles in your throat relax too much while you sleep. When this happens, the soft tissues in the back of your throat collapse and block your airway. When your airway is blocked, you may stop breathing for a few seconds until your body wakes up just enough to start breathing again.
Here are some common signs of sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Waking up feeling tired, even after a full night of sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up
- Feeling sleepy during the day
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Mood changes, such as irritability or depression
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor or dentist. You may need a sleep study to confirm if you have sleep apnea.
Why Can I Get Sleep Apnea Treatment at the Dentist?
You might be surprised to learn that a dentist like Dr. Barone can help treat sleep apnea. That’s because sleep apnea often has to do with how your mouth, jaw, and airway work together. Dentists who have special training in sleep apnea can create custom mouthpieces, called oral appliances, that help keep your airway open while you sleep.
These devices gently move your lower jaw forward to prevent your tongue and soft tissues from blocking your airway. A CPAP machine blows air through a mask to keep your airway open while you sleep. While it can be very effective, many people find it hard to use. The mask can feel uncomfortable, the machine can be noisy, and the air pressure might be difficult to get used to. Some people even have trouble sleeping because of it. That’s why oral appliances are a popular alternative.
Dr. Barone works closely with sleep physicians and uses digital scans of your teeth and jaw to create a comfortable and effective oral appliance designed just for you.
Treat Sleep Apnea in Boulder, CO
At Gunbarrel Dental Center, Dr. Rachel Barone offers customized treatment for sleep apnea to help you breathe better and sleep more soundly. Your journey to better sleep may include:
Sleep Study
If you haven’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea yet, Dr. Barone may suggest seeing a sleep specialist or doing a home sleep test. This will help find out if sleep apnea is causing your sleep problems. A sleep study will measure:
- Breathing patterns
- Oxygen levels
- Brain activity
- Heart rate
Through this study, a doctor will determine your type of sleep apnea. If you have moderate sleep apnea, we’ll recommend a custom appliance.
Consultation and Exam
Dr. Barone will talk with you about your health history and check your mouth, jaw, and airway. She’ll explain how sleep apnea can affect your body and if a special mouthpiece called an oral appliance could help you.
Custom Oral Appliance
If you’re a good match for this kind of treatment, Dr. Barone will take digital impressions of your teeth. These are used to make a mouthpiece that fits your mouth exactly. When it’s ready, she’ll make sure it’s comfortable and works well to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Ongoing Care
After you start using the oral appliance, Dr. Barone will schedule checkups to see how you’re doing. She can make small changes to the appliance if needed. She’ll also talk with your sleep doctor to make sure your treatment is helping.
Why Choose an Oral Appliance?
If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea or have trouble using a CPAP machine, an oral appliance might be the perfect solution. Oral appliances are small, custom-made devices that fit inside your mouth. You wear them while you sleep, and they gently move your jaw forward to help keep your airway open. This allows you to breathe more easily and get a better night’s rest.
Many people choose oral appliances because they are:
- Comfortable and Easy to Wear: Each oral appliance is made to fit your mouth. Because it’s custom-made, it feels more natural and is easier to wear than one-size-fits-all options. Most people get used to their appliance within just a few nights and find it much more comfortable than wearing a mask.
- Completely Quiet: A CPAP machine uses air pressure to keep your airway open, but it can be noisy and disturbing, especially for your sleep partner. Oral appliances are completely silent, so you can enjoy peaceful, quiet sleep without the hum of a machine or the whoosh of air.
- Perfect for Travel: Oral appliances are small enough to fit in your pocket, making them easy to take wherever you go. If you travel often or just want a more convenient option, you won’t need to carry a bulky machine or worry about finding a power outlet.
- An Easy Alternative to CPAP: Some people find CPAP machines uncomfortable, especially the mask and tubing. A sleep appliance may be a great alternative if you’ve tried CPAP and didn’t like it. It’s easier to clean and wear and doesn’t require electricity.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
If you have moderate sleep apnea symptoms and don’t like CPAPs, you can get a sleep appliance in our dental office. Dr. Barone provides effective solutions for sleep apnea in Boulder, CO. Request an appointment with Dr. Barone online. You can also call 720-881-0614 to begin treatment today.