Sleep Apnea and Snoring Frequently Asked Questions

A practice dedicated to the developing science of airway health and the factors which lead to sleep problems in adult and child patients.

Do you have questions regarding snoring and sleep apnea? Our experienced dentist has answered the most common questions about sleep apnea and snoring to help with your concerns. Aligned Healing offers different sleep apnea treatments, including customized devices, candid clear aligners, and QuietNite. If you have further questions or need additional information, call our highly experienced dentists NOW at (303) 226-6265. We will answer all your questions and concerns about snoring and sleep apnea. Or, Schedule your completely FREE, no obligation, Snoring and Sleep Apnea consultation NOW and take the first step toward protecting your health.

What is Sleep Apnea?

A common disorder that affects around 190 million people in America. Approximately 80% of these cases still require diagnosis, which is alarming. People with constant tiredness often have trouble linking their symptoms to the main problem, making it hard to find the cause. Not understanding why you are always tired can lead to significant distress. The soft tissues in your throat become relaxed, which blocks the airway and causes your oxygen level to drop during sleep. It can lead to other medical conditions, such as heart failure.

What are the Three Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Loud snoring – This is often a sign of sleep apnea that leads many to seek medical attention. It can disrupt you and your partner sleeping next to you.
Episodes of suffocation during sleep – This can be scary, causing fear and trouble sleeping.
Gasping for air during sleep is often the result of suffocation episodes.

Call our skilled dentist NOW at (303) 226-6265 if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Problems in the airway cause snoring and other dangerous sleep conditions. The muscles in your airway may relax because of different factors. It is a possibility that your brain is not correctly controlling the breathing process.

What are the Consequences of Leaving Sleep Apnea Untreated?

Lack of good sleep can put your health at a higher risk, causing severe health problems if not addressed. High stress can increase the chances of heart disease and high blood pressure. If not treated, it can lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heartbeat issues, and obesity. It can also trigger diabetes, depression, brain damage, and even heart attacks. Schedule your completely FREE, no obligation, Snoring and Sleep Apnea consultation NOW and take the first step toward protecting your health.

How Can You Test Yourself for Sleep Apnea?

Our highly experienced dentist can take your sleep study test to diagnose this sleep disorder.

How Do I Get Rid of Sleep Apnea?

Two ways to treat this severe medical condition are using oral appliances or getting QuietNite laser treatment. To find the best treatment, you need to know what type you have and how severe it is. At Aligned Healing, our experienced dentists will design a personalized treatment plan based on your unique condition. A common treatment in sleep medicine is using a custom mouthpiece that keeps the jaw slightly forward to help with sleep. This prevents the jaw and tongue from sliding back into the throat, ensuring unobstructed airflow during sleep. QuietNite is a new treatment that helps improve breathing by strengthening muscles in the throat, tongue, and nasal passages.

What are the 3 Types of Sleep Apnea?

It is categorized into three types: Obstructive, Central, and mixed.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent form of this sleep disorder. During sleep, OSA occurs when a blocked airway causes breathing problems because of a blockage in the throat or nose.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that help us breathe. This leads to irregular breathing patterns during sleep. Sometimes, breathing may even stop altogether for short periods.
Mixed Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a combination of OSA and CSA.

Does Sleep Apnea Go Away?

In most cases, it requires medical or dental intervention. Losing weight can help overweight people, but it may still be a problem due to unhealthy eating habits. Our dentists can treat it with QuietNite laser therapy and mouthpieces to help you breathe better. Orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign, Candid aligners, and palatal expansion can assist in dealing with this disorder. These treatments work by creating additional space for the tongue and reducing blockage in the upper airway.

Can It Be Cured Naturally?

While it traditionally requires dental or medical intervention, a few natural remedies may help reduce its severity. You can lose weight and do tongue exercises at home to help with symptoms. Natural methods may not entirely cure severe sleep apnea, but they can still help manage the condition.

What is The Best Sleep Position for Snoring?

Sleeping on one’s side is optimal for individuals with sleep apnea. This position helps reduce the number of disruptions caused by moderate sleep apnea that you experience per hour. Sleeping on your side is beneficial because it prevents the tongue from obstructing the throat. This obstruction can lead to breathing difficulties and apnea.

Can a Pillow Help With Sleep Apnea?

While many sleep apnea machines flood the market, claiming to alleviate the symptoms, it’s essential to understand their effectiveness. Sleep apnea pillows are among these products. Studies show these pillows don’t help patients unless they raise their head by at least 4 inches. This elevation can help reduce airway collapse and make breathing easier. However, these pillows benefit those using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Can Skinny People Have Sleep Apnea?

Anyone, regardless of size, can have this sleep disorder. It doesn’t only relate to obesity or being overweight. When someone’s jaw is crowded or small, it can push the tongue up and block the airway in the throat. This can make it difficult to breathe correctly. Sleep apnea can affect anyone, regardless of body weight or size.

Schedule Your FREE Snoring and Sleep Apnea Consultation NOW!

We have answered the most frequently asked questions above regarding snoring and sleep apnea. We hope the above information will answer most of your queries and concerns about sleep apnea and snoring. If you have any questions, please contact our skilled dentists at (303) 226-6265. You can also book a free consultation for snoring and sleep apnea. Take the first step in protecting your health NOW.

Call (303) 226-6265, and our warm and friendly staff will schedule your FREE Snoring and Sleep Apnea consultation at our dental clinic.