Sleep Anea

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Rice Dentistry
4330 Barranca Parkway, Suite 140
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 551-5902

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Sleep Apnea Dentist Serving Orange County, Irvine and Newport Beach CA

We all need our beauty sleep, and not just so we can avoid dark circles under our eyes in the morning. Sleep—just like exercise and a healthy diet—is an essential part of maintaining good health. Unfortunately, nearly one in every 15 Americans is losing sleep every night because of sleep apnea. The bad news is you may be one of them. The good news is we can help.

What is it?

Sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder which can have many different causes, all of which lead to the same result: pauses in breathing during sleep. That’s right. People with sleep apnea actually stop breathing, sometimes for over a minute, while they are asleep. Most people don’t even realize that it is happening. They wake up tired but often don’t know why they aren’t getting a good night’s sleep.

The most common type is caused by an obstruction of the airway. When your body relaxes during sleep, the soft tissues in your throat and nasal passages relax too. If you suffer from sleep apnea, those relaxed tissues—along with your tonsils, uvula, and/or tongue—may block your airway and restrict your breathing.

Why it's bad

Whether you are aware of it or not, sleep apnea interrupts your sleep, which can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. That’s the best case scenario. Without the proper amount of sleep, you may be facing other health problems, such as headaches, anxiety and depression, and high blood pressure. Because sleep apnea prevents you from getting the rejuvenating rest you need, your body’s defenses are weakened, leaving your more susceptible to infection, heart attack, or stroke.

Signs and symptoms

The three most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:
1) unexplained sleepiness during the day
2) restless sleep during the night
3) heavy snoring

Other symptoms may include headaches, mood changes, decreased sex drive, increased heart rate, unexplained weight gain, insomnia, frequent heartburn, trouble concentrating, and more. If you are experiencing one or more of the three common symptoms of sleep apnea, along with any secondary symptoms, contact our offices to schedule a consultation today.

Treatments

In order to identify a solution for your sleep apnea, Dr. Rice will first assess your condition to determine the specific cause of your sleep apnea. Different diagnoses will require different treatments. These may include lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet, avoiding alcohol before bed, losing weight, or sleeping in a different position. Dental appliances may be used to help correct your bite and position your mouth so that the airway obstruction is minimized or eliminated. In some cases, surgical procedures may be required. Dr. Rice will discuss your options with you to determine the best course of action for your individual circumstances.

Let us take care of your sleep apnea so you can get a good night’s rest. You’ve earned it.