Sleep Apnea Treatment Lincoln

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel rested and ready to face the day, or do you suffer from brain fog and feel like you haven’t slept? Are you having a difficult time focusing at work or school? Sleep quality has a tremendous impact on our everyday lives, so if you aren’t getting the quality sleep your body needs, it can negatively affect your life in many ways.

Sleep is vitally important to our physical and mental health. Without restful sleep, our bodies cannot function at their fullest potential, and we feel exhausted, irritable, and depressed. You may not get the sleep you need for several reasons, but one reason you may not be aware of is a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.

Why Can’t I Sleep?

Not getting a good night’s sleep is a common problem; unfortunately, many factors affect the amount and quality of our sleep, including the following:

• Sleep disorders — Disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome can keep us from getting the rest we need.
• Aging — Many older adults, especially those over 65, report difficulty sleeping. Many report never sleeping through the night.
• Illness — If you suffer from depression, cancer, chronic pain, or some other illness, it can affect your sleep quality.
• Bad habits — Sometimes, we’re guilty of sabotaging our chances for a good night’s sleep. When we go to bed and wake up at different times each day, take naps, spend too much time using electronics, or eat too late at night, we may not sleep as well as we’d like.
• Substances — For many people, consuming too much alcohol or caffeine can disrupt our sleep and keep us from resting properly.
• Stress — When you have too much on your mind, the stress and anxiety associated with everyday struggles can contribute to poor sleep.
• Schedule changes — Sometimes, we can’t avoid a schedule change. Whether it’s a new job, a newborn baby, or some other occurrence, our sleep can easily be disrupted.

Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by disrupted or irregular breathing patterns during sleep. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, up to 22 million Americans live with sleep apnea; unfortunately, nearly 80 percent of cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea go undiagnosed. Those alarming statistics make it essential to raise awareness and improve treatment options for those who unknowingly suffer from this silent disorder.

This debilitating condition can affect nearly every aspect of someone’s life, from their ability to breathe, sleep restfully, and think clearly. If you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, Antelope Creek Family Dentistry can help you find a viable solution. Our goal is to provide quality treatment to every patient and help them achieve a restful night’s sleep.

We offer various options for treating sleep apnea, including mouthguards and take-home sleep tests. Another alternative treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. 

Different Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. 

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway is blocked, causing temporary lapses in breathing. 
• Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs due to an issue with the brain’s ability to control respiratory muscles, which leads to slower, shallow breathing. 
• Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA. 

The dentists at Antelope Creek Family Dentistry can guide you toward the best treatment option for your specific symptoms. We have experience helping patients with all types of sleep concerns, and we are confident we can help you, too!  

Sleep disorders do not discriminate when it comes to who they can affect; they can even affect children. However, the risk factors can increase due to several of the following habits, traits, or conditions:

• Obesity 
• Anatomical characteristics (i.e., enlarged tonsils)
• Nasal congestion 
• Cigarette smoking 
• Family history 
• Use of sedatives like alcohol or medication
• Hormone abnormalities

If one or more of the abovementioned habits or conditions apply to your situation, you are likely at a higher risk for a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea can occur for several reasons, which are not always known until you see a dentist or a specialist. If you suspect you aren’t sleeping as well as you should be, there is no better time to seek the high-quality and compassionate treatment you deserve. 

Our caring dental team can guide you through the process and get you the help you need.

Sleep is vitally important to one’s physical and mental health and well-being. People with sleep apnea can suffer from various symptoms that affect the way they live their lives. The many symptoms of this common sleep disorder are as follows:

• Disrupted breathing
• Chronic snoring 
• Gasping or choking during sleep 
• Excessive lethargy and daytime sleepiness
• Irritability 
• Brain fog
• Difficulty focusing 
• Sore throat after waking 
• Dry mouth after waking 
• Frequent need to urinate at night (nocturia)

If you have any of these symptoms, or you are told by a loved one that you have one of these symptoms (i.e., snoring, gasping during sleep), you could have sleep apnea. People often do not even realize they are exhibiting symptoms unless they receive a sleep test or are monitored during sleep by a loved one. Unfortunately, this contributes to the low percentage of diagnoses.

Are There Health Risks if Sleep Apnea is Left Untreated?

Because sleep apnea affects oxygen levels in the body, it can lead to serious issues if not treated. Untreated sleep apnea can even lead to cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure, strokes, or heart attacks. At Antelope Creek Family Dentistry, we can help you alleviate your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing harmful health conditions. 

Antelope Creek Family Dentistry offers several methods for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in Lincoln, NE. 

#1 Oral Appliance Therapy  

Our dentists treat sleep apnea using customized, FDA-approved oral appliances designed for maximum comfort and durability. Studies have indicated that oral appliance therapy shows a compliance of 90% after 2.5 years of use. Our oral appliances alleviate sleep apnea and bruxism symptoms by repositioning the jaws, which opens the airway and supports the tongue. Oral appliances also help reduce snoring and protect the teeth from the grinding and clenching that may occur during sleep. 

#2 Take-Home Sleep Tests

We provide patients with convenient, take-home sleep tests to monitor breathing patterns during sleep. Our take-home sleep tests are simple to use and comfortable, and the best part? You no longer have to go to a sleep study lab to get results!  

#3 Collaborations with Local Specialists

The dentists at our practice work closely with trusted local specialists to help patients receive accurate diagnoses for sleep breathing disorders. 

An alternative treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine, a device that administers a continuous flow of pressurized air through a flexible tube. It's non-invasive, delivers a stream of filtered air, and opens the airway so the lungs receive enough oxygen. For more information about CPAP machines, please get in touch with your specialist or one of our dentists. 

If you or a loved one are constantly tired or unable to properly breathe while sleeping, please call us today to schedule an appointment. At Antelope Creek Family Dentistry, your health is our top priority. We want you to have healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime, but we also understand the importance of your overall well-being.

Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, but there are treatment options available. Don’t spend another night not sleeping properly. Contact one of our Lincoln dental offices to arrange a consultation and enjoy the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.