Do you or a member of your family snore while sleeping? Suffering from heavy fatigue caused by a night of interrupted sleep? These may be symptoms of sleep apnea. At our dental practice, Dr. Justin Stout provides a comprehensive solution to sleep apnea using dental appliances that help patients finally achieve a full night's rest. In fact, Dr. Stout is one of the few dentists certified to treat sleep apnea in the Simi Valley area.
Snoring can be the result of several factors. Typically, it occurs when the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax, narrowing the airway. This makes it harder for air to pass through, causing vibrations that produce the snoring sound. Other causes may include:
We encourage you to watch the video below and contact us if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can last from several seconds to minutes and may occur 30 times or more per hour. This disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
The brain responds by briefly waking the body to restart breathing. This often results in loud snoring or choking sounds. Because these awakenings are usually brief, many people are unaware they have sleep apnea.
There are two main types of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea, where the brain fails to signal breathing muscles properly, and obstructive sleep apnea, where airflow is blocked despite effort. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and is often treatable by a dentist.
It is very important to seek medical attention if sleep apnea is suspected. A person may stop breathing multiple times per hour, which can quickly become dangerous. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses, blocking the airway.
This forces the body to work harder to breathe, increasing strain on the heart and reducing oxygen levels. Over time, this can contribute to serious health conditions, particularly those affecting the heart.
Your dentist will first conduct tests to diagnose the condition and determine the best treatment. Recommendations may include lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol consumption or quitting smoking.
Modern treatment options include custom dental devices that gently reposition the jaw to keep the airway open. These are comfortable, effective, and often help patients avoid surgery.
In some cases, surgical options may be considered to permanently improve airflow. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation before recommending a treatment plan.
If you feel you may benefit from our Simi Valley sleep apnea treatment, contact us today.
Simi Hills Dental - Simi Valley
2796 Sycamore Dr STE 200, Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 306-0200
If you are looking for a dentist in Simi Valley, Simi Hills Dental offers all types of dental services to provide you the smile of your dreams. We always welcome new patients! To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our modern dentistry practice, contact us online or give us a call.
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