Are you a frequent snorer? This may be due to having sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. This sleep disorder can affect your life in many ways, but our orthodontist in Bradenton and Parrish, FL, at Orthodontic Specialists offers treatment. We can help you manage sleep apnea better to improve sleep and other areas of your life. Let’s explore why it’s so important to get help!

Higher Risk of Health Issues

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep — it can put you at risk of chronic health problems. You may not realize that this sleep disorder is linked with a higher risk of having heart problems and other serious health issues. Managing this condition helps reduce those risks!

Daytime Drowsiness

Waking up should have you feeling refreshed. But sleep apnea can make you feel tired all day, making it harder to get work or other tasks and activities done. Being drowsy during the day can also lead to hazardous situations if you need to drive or do similar activities.

Poor Sleep Quality

Breathing pauses during sleep make it tough to get a good night’s rest. Seeing our orthodontist for an oral appliance to keep your airway open can help relieve apnea symptoms, allowing you to enjoy better quality sleep!

Visit Our Orthodontist for Sleep Apnea Treatment!

Are you looking into options for treating this sleep disorder? If you have a mild or moderate case of obstructive sleep apnea, our team can help! At Orthodontic Specialists, we offer oral appliances as sleep apnea treatment in Bradenton and Parrish, FL. We have three locations available — East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Parrish, for your convenience!

Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring, though your sleep partner might be getting tired of nudging you or pushing you over to one side to stop the noise. There are risk factors that make it more likely for a person to have this condition. If you’re one of the many, consider treatment for sleep apnea in West Bradenton, FL.

Physical and Anatomical Factors

Certain physical traits make some individuals more susceptible to sleep apnea. A narrow airway, large tonsils or an elongated soft palate can obstruct airflow during sleep. Excess weight is another major factor, as fat deposits around the neck can put pressure on the airway, making breathing more difficult. This factor is worsened when lying in a prone condition, like when the person lays down on their back to go to sleep.

Lifestyle and Health Conditions

Smoking and alcohol use, especially during the evening hours leading up to going to bed, can also worsen the condition. Then again, having bad habits like smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, while alcohol relaxes throat muscles, making it easier for the airway to become blocked. There are all kinds of reasons to quit smoking and drinking and to improve lifestyle habits. Sleep apnea is but one of them.

Underlying medical conditions, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic nasal congestion, can also contribute to sleep apnea. Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome, may further increase the risk.

Age, Gender and Family History

Sleep apnea becomes more common with age, particularly in adults over 40. Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women, although the risk for women increases after menopause. A family history of sleep apnea may also indicate a genetic predisposition to airway obstruction and breathing difficulties during sleep.

Recognizing risk factors is the first step toward early diagnosis and treatment with your orthodontist in West Bradenton, FL. If sleep apnea symptoms are present, seeking professional care can improve sleep quality and overall health.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a very common condition that impacts a great deal of people. While a CPAP machine is one of the most popular treatment options, did you know certain dental appliances can also help? Worn while you sleep, these devices help you breathe more effectively.

In this post, we’ll discuss the top oral appliances that can treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

These appliances are the most common for treating the condition. The goal of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) is to move your lower jaw forward. This action also pushes your tongue forward and away from your throat, leading to more airflow. Mandibular advancement devices are worn over your top and bottom teeth.

If you want to learn more about this innovative device, contact Orthodontic Specialists today! We’re happy to offer the most reliable sleep apnea dental treatment in Bradenton, FL.

Tongue-Stabilizing Appliances

If you have sleep apnea, your tongue may be blocking your airway while you sleep, which can lead to several troubling symptoms. Luckily, tongue-stabilizing appliances can eliminate this problem by keeping your tongue in the correct position. The device accomplishes this by moving your tongue forward using suction, which opens your airway. Many people choose this appliance if they can’t use mandibular advancement devices. Tongue-stabilizing appliances are more suitable for those who don’t have strong enough teeth for MADs.

OSA Solutions at Orthodontic Specialists

Sleep apnea can lead to a massive decrease in sleep quality. This can cause a whole host of symptoms, including daytime tiredness, brain fog, loud snoring, headaches, immune system problems, and more.

Here at Orthodontic Specialists, we want to make your sleep troubles a distant memory! With our help, we can give you the high-quality sleep you need. Make an appointment with us today to work with the leading dentist in Bradenton, FL!

Snoring can be annoying and disruptive for sleep partners. Did you know that snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea? If your spouse snores, seek help. See your orthodontist in West Bradenton, East Bradenton, and Parrish, FL, to find out whether your spouse has sleep apnea and what can be done.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when a person stops breathing for brief periods while they’re asleep. This happens because the muscles in the back of the throat become deeply relaxed during sleep. When this happens, the airway collapses, and the person stops breathing. To start breathing again, the person startles awake and then falls asleep so quickly that they don’t realize anything ever happened.

Most people who have sleep apnea don’t even know that they snore – unless their spouse mentions it. People who have sleep apnea snore loudly, often so loudly it can be heard in other parts of the house.

What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?

In addition to loud snoring, some signs of sleep apnea include:

• Irritability and mood swings
• Difficulty focusing on tasks
• Tiredness during the day, even after a full night’s rest
• Gasping while sleeping

What To Do About Sleep Apnea?

If your spouse has sleep apnea, they should seek treatment. Sleep apnea can put your spouse at risk for many other conditions like cardiovascular problems and stroke. To help your spouse get sleep apnea treatment in Bradenton and Parrish, FL, make an appointment at Orthodontic Specialists. We’re here to help!