Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea or think that you may have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional as soon as possible, as untreated sleep apnea can be very damaging to your health. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we offer sleep apnea treatment options. Consider some of the following frequently asked questions we hear about sleep apnea, and reach out to our dentist directly for any further questions you have or to make an appointment.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are multiple different risk factors for sleep apnea. Some common risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Having a large neck circumference
- Being overweight
- Being male
- Being older
- Nasal congestion
- Certain medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure
- Use of alcohol or sedatives/tranquilizers
- Family history of sleep apnea
What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
When a person has sleep apnea, they stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. This can lead to various complications, including fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, headache, moodiness, snoring, and other complications, such as heart problems and high blood pressure.
Is Sleep Apnea Treatable?
Yes! While sleep apnea is a very concerning sleep disorder, the good news is that it is completely treatable. Sometimes, weight loss or other lifestyle changes can be enough to remedy sleep apnea; other times, an oral appliance can be used to keep the airway open during sleep. In more serious cases, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, machine can be used to force air into the airway continuously while the user sleeps.
Are Sleep Apnea Treatments Covered By Insurance?
Some sleep apnea treatment options, such as oral appliances, may be covered by insurance. It’s important to talk to your insurance provider about what’s covered, as insurance plans can vary widely. You should also talk to your healthcare provider or dentist about various payment plans or other financing options.
How Can I Learn More?
If you want to learn more about sleep apnea, your best resource is your doctor. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we work with patients to design oral appliances that help to treat sleep apnea. If you have questions about oral appliances as a treatment option, we are happy to provide answers. To learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and how our team of professionals may be able to help you, please reach out to us directly by phone or online at your convenience. We are accepting new patients.
