Sleep Medicine Dentist Lowell

Sleep Medicine Dentist Lowell

Do you wake up frequently throughout the night? It may be time to visit a sleep medicine dentist. Lowell patients can turn to the experienced team at Distinctive Dental Solutions for the superior care that they need. Frequent waking may be a sign of sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that is marked by disruptive breathing while asleep. If you believe you may have this disorder, you’ll want to discuss your symptoms with a knowledgeable sleep medicine dentist who can provide additional information and treat the issue. 

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It is a potentially serious health problem that can impact your energy levels during the day due to repeated disruptions to your sleep. During an episode, the individual may wake up gasping for air, which rouses them from sleep and makes getting fulfilling rest difficult. There are several different types of sleep apnea, including: 

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The throat tissues relax during sleep and block the airways.

• Central Sleep Apnea. The brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing. 

• Complex Sleep Apnea. Some individuals have a mix of obstructive and central sleep apnea, known as a condition called complex sleep apnea. 

Symptoms are similar across each type and may include snoring that wakes you up, choking or gasping for air, daytime fatigue, headaches, dry mouth and insomnia. Treatment depends on the kind of sleep apnea you have. Our dentists can perform several tests to determine the type that’s affecting you. 

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

If you have the symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to speak to a dentist about possible treatments. When left to its own devices, sleep apnea can lead to severe health consequences and an increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues and more. Rest assured that there are plenty of effective ways to treat sleep apnea so you can protect your health and get a better night’s rest. A sleep medicine dentist specializes in oral appliance therapy and other treatments to eliminate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. At our office, we create oral appliances to help treat sleep apnea. 

An oral appliance is a custom-fit mouthguard that you will wear during sleep. Essentially, the appliance keeps the throat tissues from blocking the airway during sleep by thrusting the lower jaw forward. In doing so, this oral appliance can prevent episodes from occurring during the night. As a result, you will have less trouble breathing while asleep, allowing you to stay asleep throughout the night.

To Speak With a Sleep Medicine Dentist, Lowell Patients Can Call Us Today

Sleep apnea can have significant consequences on your life and health. Fortunately, it is treatable with the help of an experienced sleep medicine dentist. Lowell patients can call Distinctive Dental Solutions for an appointment with our experienced team. We are prepared to help you solve your sleep apnea and improve your overall wellbeing.