Lowell Sleep Medicine Dentist 

Lowell Sleep Medicine Dentist

When you think of a dentist, most people think of teeth cleanings, cavities, and even those not-so-fun root canal treatments. Or, teeth whitening services, invisible orthodontics, and tooth replacement options may come to mind. While you wouldn’t be wrong, limiting a dentist to these services may not be entirely accurate, either. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, our Lowell sleep medicine dentist provides all of the standard dental services and sleep medicine services. To learn more about our sleep medicine services and what to expect when you choose our dentist, reach out to us today. 

What Is a Sleep Medicine Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on treating sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, using oral appliances. A board-certified sleep medicine dentist is specially trained and qualified to treat obstructive sleep apnea, and can recommend and design an oral appliance. In addition to oral appliances, your dentist may also recommend a mouthguard for other sleep-related oral health problems, such as grinding your teeth. 

Treatment for Sleep Issues

One of the most common and most severe sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea. When a person has sleep apnea, they actually stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. In addition to snoring—which can be aggravating for a romantic partner who shares the same bed—sleep apnea can lead to severe health complications over time, as well as short-term discomforts and problems such as fatigue, drowsiness, moodiness, and trouble concentrating. 

There are various different treatments for sleep apnea; the type of treatment that is appropriate for you depends on the type of sleep apnea you have and its specific cause, as well as the severity of your condition. In some cases, lifestyle changes—such as adopting a healthier lifestyle to lose weight—can make a big difference. In other cases, though, outside interventions are required.

A dental appliance/oral appliance that’s designed by a sleep medicine dentist can help to treat sleep apnea by preventing the tongue from blocking the throat or/and advancing the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open. These devices, when effective, are often preferable to other treatment options like a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which is more intrusive. 

Don’t Wait to Get Help with Poor Sleep

Poor sleep is extremely disruptive. Anyone who’s missed a night of sleep knows that even a single night of poor sleep can make getting through the next day challenging. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may be experiencing short-term side effects of poor sleep that can turn into long-term complications, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, heart problems, liver problems, and more. If you’re suffering from poor sleep, take action to get help today. 

Call Our Lowell Sleep Medicine Dentist Today

At Distinctive Dental Solutions, our Lowell sleep medicine dentist wants to help. To learn more about treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea and our dentist’s qualifications, reach out to our office directly today. We look forward to seeing you!