- (317) 535-7141
- 3056 W Stones Crossing Rd. Greenwood, IN 46143
If you’re spending more nights on the couch than in your bed because of loud snoring, you might have obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Stacy D. Johnson Comfortable Dentistry is proud to be your Greenwood, IN, sleep apnea treatment center. Our highly-qualified dentists can evaluate your case and help you get back into the good graces of your spouse!
Sleep apnea can be a very serious problem. It is a sleep disorder that is caused when your breathing is interrupted during your sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central.
This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and completely or partially blocks your airway. As you might imagine, this wakes you up and interferes with a good night’s sleep. This is the type of sleep apnea that your dentist can help to resolve because it is often related to misalignments in your oral cavity.
Central sleep apnea is when your brain fails to tell your respiratory muscles to breathe. This is not a type of sleep apnea that your dentist can help with; instead, it is a problem with the function of your central nervous system.
Untreated sleep apnea can cause a number of serious health problems. These include high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure, among others. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can cause you to have trouble doing your job, and it can result in work-related accidents, car crashes, and for children, underachievement in school. That’s just how important a good night’s sleep is to your overall health.
Excessively loud snoring and sudden body movements in bed are among the first symptoms. These are usually noticed more by the partner of the patient. You may not even realize this is happening unless someone tells you, even though your sleep can be disrupted hundreds of times per night.
Other symptoms include daytime sleepiness, general fatigue, dry mouth, sore throat, forgetfulness, irritability, mood disturbances, headaches, and night sweats. You can also experience frequent awakenings at night and more frequent urination at night. You can also become aware this is happening when you wake up suddenly feeling as though you were choking.
Stacy D. Johnson Comfortable Dentistry can help treat your obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, in a couple of ways depending on the severity of your case. For mild to moderate OSA, there is a simple oral appliance that they can give you to wear at night. It prevents the obstruction of your airway at night by holding your jaw and tongue in a position that prevents blockage.
For more severe cases of OSA, there are other treatments available including oral surgery and the use of a CPAP device to force air into your airway. Whatever the severity of your sleep apnea, the dental professionals at our Greenwood, IN, office will help you understand exactly what you need to help you get a good night’s sleep and stay healthy.
We’re committed to helping you improve your health. Contact our office today for a consultation, and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time!
Dr. Stacy D. Johnson has been improving smiles (and lives!) for over 20 years. We invite you to visit Stacy D. Johnson, DDS, PC or call us today and learn about how we can give you a beautiful smile and enhance your health.
3056 W Stones Crossing Rd.
Greenwood, IN 46143
