Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start while you’re sleeping. Three types of sleep apnea include:

Obstructive sleep apnea

This condition is caused when your throat muscles relax during sleep.

Central sleep apnea

This condition is caused when your brain doesn't appropriately send information to the muscles that control your breathing.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

This condition is the combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Schedule a consultation with your dentist at Orange Coast Dental Specialty for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.

What causes sleep apnea?

Several factors contribute to sleep apnea, including:

• Obesity
• Large tongue
• Large tonsils
• Large uvula
• Recessed chin
• Small jaw
• Large overbite
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

If you think you might have sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with the expert team at Orange Coast Dental Specialty. 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

You can detect if you have sleep apnea by paying attention to your symptoms. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Chronic snoring
• Insomnia
• Waking up frequently
• Shortness of breath

You may also feel extremely tired during the day due to lack of sleep, which can contribute to irritability, as well. 

If left untreated, more serious issues can develop, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Congestive heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Stroke
• Depression

Some of the symptoms that occur while you’re sleeping might only be recognized by your partner.

If you’re told you snore loudly with long pauses between breaths, you should seek an evaluation at Orange Coast Dental Specialty to get a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis and a personalized treatment.

How is sleep apnea treated?

The team at Orange Coast Dental Specialty offers several treatments for sleep apnea. A mouthguard or CPAP machine may be prescribed.

A mouthguard holds your jaw in a forward position while you’re sleeping to stop the soft tissue of your mouth and throat from relaxing into your airway.

A CPAP machine sends a steady flow of oxygen into your lungs as you sleep, relieving your symptoms and helping you sleep throughout the night.

Weight loss may also be encouraged to ward off sleep apnea.

If you’re having symptoms of sleep apnea, or if your partner has raised issues of concern, reach out to the experts at Orange Coast Dental Specialty by calling or booking your appointment online today.