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Sleep Apnea

General and Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Dentistry in Bellevue, WA
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Sleep Apnea services offered in Bellevue, WA

If you wake up most mornings with a dry mouth or headache, seek sleep apnea treatment. At Whole Body Dental in Bellevue, Washington, general, cosmetic, and implant dentist Anthony Nguyen, DDS, AFAAID, and his team have years of experience diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. They might recommend a custom oral appliance or refer you to a sleep specialist, depending on your needs. To request a sleep apnea consultation, call the office or book online today.

Sleep Apnea Q&A

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing multiple times during sleep. At Whole Body Dental, the team treats both types of sleep apnea, including:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA causes the tissues at the back of your throat to relax during sleep. That blocks your airways, causing you to wake up gasping for oxygen.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when there’s a disconnect between your brain and the muscles that control breathing. 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Waking up gasping for air
  • Awakening with a dry mouth
  • Having morning headaches
  • Difficulty paying attention when you’re awake

As the condition worsens, you might also experience daytime fatigue or feel increasingly irritable.

When should I see a dentist about sleep apnea?

Make an appointment with the team at Whole Body Dental if you regularly wake up feeling tired. That’s especially true if your partner complains about your snoring. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce your risk of more serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

To diagnose sleep apnea, the team at Whole Body Dental reviews your dental records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an oral exam. They also prescribe an at-home sleep test. 

An at-home sleep test monitors various bodily functions while you sleep, including your heart rate, blood oxygen level, and breathing patterns. A computer records the information onto a small hard drive. You return to Whole Body Dental the next day with your sleep study.

The team downloads the results of your tests, analyzes them, and makes treatment recommendations.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Treatment of sleep apnea depends on various factors, including your age, your type of sleep apnea, and the severity of your symptoms. Usually, the team recommends a night guard or a custom sleep apnea appliance.

Night guards and sleep apnea appliances are removable mouthpieces that fit snugly over your teeth. They push your lower jaw slightly forward, opening your airways and making it easier to breathe.

If your sleep apnea doesn’t improve with a night guard or a custom oral appliance, the team can refer you to a nearby sleep specialist.

To receive treatment for sleep apnea, call Whole Body Dental today or book online.