Dr. Max Kerr and Dr. Brandon Hedgecock work with Sleep Better Austin to provide patients with custom sleep apnea treatment plans to help them sleep soundly and feel better during the day. Oral appliances for sleep apnea are minimally-invasive, inexpensive compared to other treatment options, and very effective for treating sleep apnea.
Learn more about how we address sleep apnea and prevent further oral health issues and physical health issues in Cedar Park, TX. In addition to providing sleep apnea treatment, we offer comprehensive general dental care services to new and existing patients in Cedar Park, Texas.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep. As a result, muscles collapse and block the airway, which means patients wake up just enough to continue breathing again.
While patients typically don’t remember waking up frequently throughout the night, these episodes disrupt the sleep cycle. Sleep apnea can significantly decrease the patient’s quality of sleep. This consistent lack of quality sleep can lead to a wide range of symptoms; in some cases, sleep apnea can be fatal.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Patients are often unaware that they have sleep apnea because they are asleep when episodes occur. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but if your loud snoring is interrupted by periods of silence, that’s a sign that you may have sleep apnea. The only way to know for sure is by completing a sleep study. Common sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Chronic Exhaustion and Fatigue
- Loud Snoring
- Waking up Choking or Gasping
- Waking with a Dry Mouth
- Daily Sore Throat
- Headaches
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Irritability and Mood Swings
Treating Sleep Apnea in Cedar Park, TX
There are several ways we can treat sleep apnea. Many patients use CPAP machines that force air into the lungs even when the muscles are relaxed. Dentists create custom mouthguards that fit comfortably in the mouth during sleep and help keep the airway open.
Even when the muscles relax, the air can still move in and out with the mouthguard. Mouthguards or oral appliances are more convenient and cost-effective than CPAP machines. Oral appliances are easy to travel with, and patients typically have an easier time getting used to them and using them regularly.
Reverse Sleep Apnea Symptoms
If you think a custom oral appliance for sleep apnea could increase your sleep quality, please get in touch with our office to schedule a consultation! You can also call Vista Ridge Family Dentistry at 512-866-9654.