Learn more about sleep apnea and how our dentists can help.
Are you worried that your symptoms could be due to sleep apnea? Are you finding that your sleep is anything but restful? Sleep apnea is a common cause of poor, unrefreshed sleep night after night. Find out more about sleep apnea and how our Lafayette, LA, dentists Drs. Ken & Claire LeBlanc can help you manage your symptoms.
What are the common signs of obstructive sleep apnea?
It's important to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea so you can seek the appropriate medical attention here in Lafayette, LA. Some common symptoms include,
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Daytime sleepiness or decreased energy throughout the day
- Feeling sleepy while driving
- Headaches in the morning
- Poor, restless sleep
- A choking sensation upon waking
- Mood changes
- Poor memory and concentration
- Insomnia
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you could have obstructive sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea may experience many of these symptoms while others may not even notice any symptoms at all. That’s what leaves sleep apnea undiagnosed for long periods. Sometimes it’s a spouse that comments on their partner’s wall-shaking snoring or a patient can no longer stand the overall exhaustion they are experiencing that finally leads them to seek treatment. The sooner you seek treatment for sleep apnea the better.
How does a dentist treat sleep apnea?
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are treatment options that can help manage your symptoms and sleep better. While CPAP therapy is most often used to treat sleep apnea, this bulky equipment isn’t always ideal for every patient. For those looking to treat their symptoms without wearing a facemask throughout the night, our dentists offer an easier option.
Here at our Lafayette, LA, practice, we treat sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. This clear plastic mouthguard-looking device is effective for treating those patients with mild to moderate forms of obstructive sleep apnea and works by preventing tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing, keeping airways open while you sleep. Our Lafayette, LA, dentists may recommend an oral appliance in conjunction with your current sleep apnea treatment if CPAP therapy alone isn’t enough.
If you want to find out if oral appliance therapy could improve your sleep apnea symptoms and the quality of your sleep, then call our Lafayette, LA, dentists Drs. LeBlanc at (337) 406-9994 to schedule a consultation.