Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment in Mississauga
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that can sometimes even be a life-threatening sleep disorder. It causes people to experience shallow breaths and occasional pauses in breathing through their sleep cycles. GD Orthodontics in Mississauga provides sleep apnea treatment options to help you have a good night’s sleep. Our orthodontists are experienced and will scan you for sleep apnea correctly and suggest safe and effective treatments and oral appliances to help manage your condition.
Sleep apnea happens because of a blockage in the airway passage, which disrupts a person’s sleep pattern. A temporary pause of breathing or apnea sometimes wakes the person, but they soon resume sleep in a few seconds. If left untreated, people with sleep apnea usually wake up tired and lethargic. Over time, it can severely affect the person’s mental and physical health. Book a consultation at our clinic in Mississauga, and feel free to call us to learn how we can help you with your sleep apnea.
Signs and Symptoms Associated with Sleep Apnea
The following signs and symptoms characterize sleep apnea:
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Occasional breathing pauses, up to 40 seconds long, while sleeping
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Snoring loudly
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Sleepiness at work, driving, and throughout the day
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Falling asleep rapidly when not active
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Irritability and frequent mood swings
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Insomnia
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Waking up with headaches, dry mouth, or a sore throat in the morning
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Night sweats
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Reduce libido
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Depression
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Waking up abruptly, feeling shortness of breath or choking
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Frequent urination during the night
Risk Factors
Other risk factors can include
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Men over the age of 40
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Smokers
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People who are overweight, obese, or have a larger neck circumference
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People with a family history of sleep apnea
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Alcohol, sedative, and tranquillizer use
People with sleep apnea have a higher chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, strokes, obesity, depression, mania, and many other serious issues. It can also increase the risk of injury at work or while driving. Contact us if you or someone in your family has the above symptoms.
Risks When You Don’t Treat Sleep Apnea
The risks when you don’t treat sleep apnea are
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High chances of developing Type 2 diabetes linked to untreated sleep apnea.
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Hormonal imbalances, disruptions in eating habits, weight gain, and susceptibility to obesity are commonly associated risks.
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It can increase blood pressure levels and the eventual development of hypertension.
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The risk of stroke and heart attack is heightened in individuals.
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Heart disease is a potential complication.
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Persistent fatigue can lead to decreased concentration and even episodes of involuntary loss of consciousness.
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If you have asthma or COPD, untreated sleep apnea can aggravate your symptoms.
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Neglected sleep apnea can cause significant changes in mood and temperament, which may impact your relationships.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Most people have one of the following three types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most common sleep apnea type, accounting for over 80% of cases. During the apneas, the airway’s soft tissue collapses, which prevents oxygen from passing through the airway and reaching the lungs. This can also happen when the throat muscles relax due to excessive fat accumulation around the neck.
Central Sleep Apnea
With less than 5% of the cases even being diagnosed, central sleep apnea is the rarest type. In sleep apnea, the brain stops sending messages to the body to breathe during sleep. Although there is no physical disruption to the airway passages, the body responds as if an interruption has occurred. It is typically a result of a malfunctioned brain stem, a part of the brain that controls breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
This combination of the two conditions listed above accounts for 15% of all cases. This happens when an individual with a history of obstructive sleep apnea suddenly develops central sleep apnea.
Orthodontic care can help sleep breathing disorders. Dr. Girish Deshpande in Mississauga can evaluate your condition and suggest suitable oral appliances.
How Can We Help With Sleep Apnea Treatment?
We can help our patients in different ways regarding sleep apnea treatment in Mississauga.
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Lifestyle changes: Our team emphasizes the significance of lifestyle modifications to manage sleep apnea effectively. From weight management strategies to positional therapy recommendations, we motivate our patients to make positive changes.
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Oral appliances: GD Orthodontics offers custom-made oral appliances to address sleep apnea symptoms. These devices are carefully crafted to promote optimal airway function and improve sleep quality without invasive procedures.
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Surgery and medication: In cases where lifestyle modifications and non-invasive treatments may not suffice, our skilled team collaborates with specialized healthcare providers to explore surgical interventions or medication options.
Methods we use to treat Sleep Apnea
Our orthodontists will work closely with you to ensure our suggestions and solutions work, improving your symptoms and reducing or eliminating your apneas. We offer various treatment options depending on the type of sleep apnea you are suffering from. For moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea, the standard methods to treat sleep apnea are:
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A mandibular advancement device, also called a dental sleep device, looks like a mouthguard and pushes the lower jaw forward so that the jaw muscles collapse as the apneas tighten so they can’t fall. Depending on your teeth, mouth, jaw joints, and the severity of your condition, our dental experts determine you are a good candidate for mandibular advancement devices, and they will create a model of your teeth. This will be used to craft a perfectly fitting oral device. We recommend patients wear their devices while sleeping to relieve their sleep apnea symptoms.
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Though less common, tongue-retaining devices are effective for most mouth shapes and sizes. This oral appliance holds the patient’s tongue in a forward position, and as the tongue is attached to the lower jaw, this device helps to keep the airway open.
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Apart from oral devices, we recommend practicing self-care, regular exercising, and avoiding alcohol, smoking and tranquillizers as additional beneficial methods of dealing with obstructive and central sleep apnea. You can also try sleeping on your side or abdomen instead of the back to manage your symptoms.
While you may find these devices uncomfortable initially, most patients adjust to them in 2 to 3 days. Browse our blog for more information on sleep apnea and how an orthodontist can help diagnose and manage your condition. Call us or book your free consultation with us right away. The team at GD Orthodontics is always happy to work with new patients in Mississauga and across the GTA!
FAQs
Some frequently asked questions are
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These interruptions can happen multiple times throughout the night, leading to poor sleep.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study, which can be conducted at home or in a sleep clinic. During the study, parameters such as breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate are monitored.
How Do I Begin My Sleep Apnea Treatment in Mississauga?
Schedule a consultation with our experienced team. During this appointment, we'll assess your condition and discuss the best treatment options tailored to your needs. From there, we'll guide you through the process step by step.
