You Could Have Sleep Apnea and Not Know It

Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep? Do you keep your partner awake with your snoring? If so, you might be dealing with sleep apnea even though you may not know it.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects your breathing at night. It often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for another condition. 

At Payson Dental and Orthodontics, Brian Kraft, DDS, and our entire team here in West Payson, Utah, can uncover hidden signs of sleep apnea and offer tried-and-true solutions to help you sleep better and feel your best.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that strikes when your airway becomes blocked while you sleep. You can stop breathing dozens or even hundreds of times during the night. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the soft tissues in the back of your throat collapse while you sleep.

Each time your breathing pauses, your brain startles you awake to reopen the airway. The interruptions are so brief you don’t even know they’re happening, but they prevent you from getting the deep sleep your body needs.

Signs you may not know what to look for

Sleep apnea isn’t always obvious. Some signs are subtle and include:

• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Headaches upon waking
• Feeling irritable
• Difficulty staying asleep at night
  
  

If these symptoms sound familiar, consider scheduling a sleep evaluation and a consultation with Dr. Kraft.

How your dentist can help

How can a dentist help with sleep apnea? Dr. Kraft examines your airway, jaw position, tongue size, and the wear on your teeth during routine exams to identify signs of possible breathing issues while you sleep.

Dr. Kraft is an expert in sleep apnea treatment and uses The Vivos® Method to expand your airway and improve your overnight breathing through epigenetic orthodontics. As a Vivos provider, he customizes a comfortable, noninvasive oral appliance designed to reposition your jaw and tongue to optimize air flow.

In most cases, your new oral device replaces the need for a CPAP machine, especially if you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or can’t get used to the bulky CPAP and all its attachments.

Our entire team is here to help you breathe easier and sleep better. To determine if your subtle symptoms are related to sleep apnea and explore our transformative solutions, schedule a consultation with Payson Dental and Orthodontics today.

 Call us now at 801-335-9050 or request an appointment online.