Sleep Apnea Specialist
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Moberi Dental Specialists
Endodontist located in Houston, TX
With over 18 million American adults struggling with sleep apnea, you’re certainly not alone in your restless nights. The team of specially trained dentists at Houston-based Moberi Dental Specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, so you can finally get some shut-eye. If you think you may have sleep apnea, schedule an evaluation online or call your closest office in the Copperfield or Galleria areas for an appointment.
Sleep Apnea Q & A
What causes sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder caused by interrupted breathing patterns. The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive and central, each described below.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when your airflow becomes blocked as soft tissues in the back of your throat collapse during sleep. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea happens when there is interrupted signaling between your brain and breathing muscles. Rather than having an obstruction, your breathing muscles temporarily stop working. You’re more likely to experience this type of sleep apnea if you suffer from heart failure, brain tumors, stroke, or a similar serious condition.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
Snoring is one of the most common complaints among sleep apnea sufferers. You or your partner may wake up multiple times throughout the night from your loud snoring. Other symptoms of sleep apnea can include:
- Grogginess or fatigue after a full night’s sleep
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Headaches or jaw pain
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the team at Moberi Dental Specialists can help treat your sleep disorder.
What is the treatment for sleep apnea?
In many cases, lifestyle changes, like losing weight and becoming more physically active, can help improve issues caused by sleep apnea. If you want to accelerate the treatment process, Moberi Dental Specialists offers a variety of solutions.
Your dedicated dentist spends time evaluating your symptoms and checking your oral health. Since one of the first signs of sleep apnea is severe tooth grinding (bruxism), checking for worn tooth surfaces or jaw inflammation can help your doctor confirm a diagnosis.
After gathering some X-rays and taking digital images of your teeth, your dentist can design a custom night guard for you to wear while sleeping. Not only do night guards help minimize issues with grinding and clenching, they also pull your jaw forward, which is especially beneficial for obstructive sleep apnea. This effect opens up your airways, so you can breathe comfortably and steadily throughout the night.
Before enduring another sleepless night, see what the team at Moberi Dental Specialists can do for your sleep apnea. Book an evaluation, either online or over the phone, today.
