Why you should Talk to a Snoring Dentist about your Sleeping Disorder

Do you often have people complain about your snoring? Do you wake up at times grasping for air? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you probably need the services of a snoring dentist.

A sleeping disorder isn't something to simply shrug off as a minor nuisance to anyone who happens to share a room with you at night, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Getting enough sleep every night is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Any medical issue that prevents you from getting enough rest will eventually leave you feeling tired and weak.

Unfortunately, one to four percent of people in the U.S. are unaware that the reason they often have a hard time getting a good night's rest is because they're dealing with an undiagnosed cased of sleep apnea.

How to determine if you're suffering from sleep apnea

Snoring is the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea, but there are several other less-obvious symptoms. These include: fatigue, dry mouth (due to breathing with the mouth while sleeping), and headaches. The best way to determine if the symptoms you're experiencing are indeed indicative of sleep apnea is to discuss it with your dentist during your next visit. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to be aware of a patient's struggles with sleep apnea since they tend to see their patients more often than physicians for example.

After discussing the symptoms you're experiencing with you, your snoring dentist will likely conduct an exam to determine if you're indeed suffering from sleep apnea. If he/she feels that is the case, you'll likely be referred to a sleep center for further diagnostics.

Available treatment options

People dealing with mild cases of sleep apnea may be able to clear their airways by modifying some of their habits like changing the position they sleep, losing excess weight, or giving up smoking. For those with more severe cases of sleep apnea, there are three main ways to go about alleviating your symptoms:

1. CPAP therapy: This involves wearing a face mask that's connected to a breathing machine that runs throughout the night.
2. Oral appliance therapy: This involves wearing a mouth guard that re-aligns the jaw, opening up your airway. 
3. Surgery: This includes several procedures, all with the goal of clearing up your airway.

Research indicates oral appliance therapy is an effective solution for cases of obstructive sleep apnea. It's also the least intrusive way to deal with sleep apnea. You simply wear an oral appliance -- that's very similar to an athletic mouth guard -- when you go to bed. The device keeps your jaw in a forward position while you sleep, opening up your airway.

Oral appliances are quiet, easy to transport, and easy to clean, making them the preferred treatment choice for many snoring dentists.

There's no need to let sleep apnea affect your quality of life any longer. If you're waking up in the middle of the night out of breath, feeling fatigued, or are simply tired of hearing your significant other complain about your snoring, talk to your dentist about your symptoms and get the relief you deserve.

As a restorative dentist, we can replace teeth that were lost in an accident. There are few things more frustrating than losing a tooth unexpectedly, but we can help. If your tooth was too damaged to save, our replacement solutions are the ideal options for your needs. Whether you want a temporary solution or a more permanent one, we can perform whichever procedure you choose. Visit our dentist office today for answers to your questions and solutions to your needs.

Why you should call our dental office to replace missing teeth.

While it can seem easier and more cost-effective to avoid seeking an artificial tooth after losing an adult permanent tooth, there are far too many health risks accompanying that decision. We encourage people to visit us as soon as possible. A replacement is not only more appealing than an empty space, but it is also better for oral health. If one leaves a tooth gap open for too long, the jaw structure will eventually begin change through the process of resorption.

Resorption causes crooked teeth and an unnatural jaw formation. An empty space also leaves the remaining teeth more vulnerable to decay and plaque build up. Furthermore, a missing tooth or missing teeth can put more pressure on the other teeth when chewing. The importance of replacing a missing tooth is vital for these reasons. Here are a few options for dental replacements:

Options for replacing missing teeth

A Dental Bridge:

A dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth, or teeth, and two anchors that attach to the existing teeth by crowns. A dental bridge is a secure option that we often use as a restorative dentist.  A dental bridge is not the most permanent option, but it is considered permanent. A bridge will restore one's smile and chewing ability, filling the tooth gap in an attractive manner. It will also prevent the other teeth from shifting out of place.

A Dental Implant:

A dental implant provided can offer patients a solution so permanent, it is similar to having a natural tooth back in place. An implant involves the placement of a titanium post into the tooth cavity in the jawbone. The bone in the jaw will naturally graft to the titanium with time, providing the most permanent solution to a missing tooth.

We will attach the artificial tooth to the titanium post, providing patients with durability and security. An implant is also the most attractive replacement option as it fits securely into place and looks just like natural teeth.

If you have lost any teeth in an accident, for your oral health, it is important that you receive a replacement. Another perk of having a restorative dentist replace your teeth is that you will once again have a natural-looking, whole smile. The esthetic value of a quality teeth replacement is unbeatable since you will also be able to enjoy eating without worrying about harming your remaining teeth. The benefits of replacing your teeth are clear. Visit Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte today for the treatment you need.

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