Sleep Apnea affects millions of people all over the world. Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping.
During sleep, a person with sleep apnea takes repeated pauses in their breathing, which limits the supply of oxygen distributed throughout the bloodstream. Obstructed breathing can cause severe complications for your overall health, so it is important that patients get diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.
At Beach Cities Dental Group in Oxnard, Dr. Georgia Haddad is one of the leading area dentists for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in patients of all ages. Dr. Haddad looks for the signs of sleep-related disorders during all routine dental exams and places an emphasis on addressing an underlying problem, such as sleep apnea, before moving on to cosmetic and restorative dental care.
There are two different types of sleep apnea. Central Sleep Apnea happens when the brain doesn’t work together with the breathing muscles, causing a delay in breathing.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the air flow through the nose and mouth becomes restricted by the collapse of soft tissue at the back of the throat. Treating sleep apnea can not only improve your overall health, it may save your life.
Treatment For Sleep Apnea in Oxnard, CA
Most patients don’t even realize they have sleep apnea until they get properly examined. Many common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can mask themselves as other problems, such as grogginess, loud snoring, headaches, migraines, and insomnia. It is imperative that patients get treated for sleep apnea as soon as possible.
Severe sleep apnea causes patients to take continual pauses in their breathing at night, which means that vital organs in the body have to work harder to make up for the lack of oxygen the body is receiving. Sleep apnea can lead to or exacerbate cardiovascular and systemic disease and patients are at a significantly increased risk for strokes and heart attack.
Patients will have a detailed consultation with Dr. Haddad, where she will exam your mouth, teeth, airway, and tongue for signs of obstructed breathing.
Depending on the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea, Dr. Haddad may offer Sleeping Masks, which allow a patient airway to remain open while they sleep. Depending on your overall health and specific needs, Dr. Haddad can offer a variety of treatments that will be suited to your lifestyle.
Dr. Haddad may also suggest Oral Appliance Therapy. Oral appliance therapy is a convenient, non-invasive treatment to help reposition the jaw and open the airway, Oral appliances can be an effective alternative to the CPAP, offering treatment that is more convenient and comfortable for most patients.
If necessary, Dr. Haddad may recommend Sleep Apnea Surgery, which moves the bone supporting the tongue forward. The surgery allows patients to breathe easier because the tongue will no longer rest on the airway. Dr. Haddad will work with each patient to determine the best solution for their oral health needs.
Sleep Apnea in Children
Dr. Haddad provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for sleep apnea in children. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are two of the most common causes of sleep apnea in young patients, although there are many other risk factors, including genetics.
Dr. Haddad screens all pediatric dental patients for this health concern, which can impact your child’s overall physical health and quality of life. There is a growing correlation between children with attention deficit disorders and sleep apnea. As in adults, the incidence of obesity is higher among children with sleep apnea.
Schedule A Consultation
Dr. Georgia Haddad and her team at Beach Cities Dental Group are dedicated to providing comprehensive, quality dental service. We serve patients and families from Oxnard, Camarillo, Venture and many local communities. If you feel that you may have symptoms of sleep apnea, visit with Dr. Haddad in our Oxnard, CA dentist office. Feel free to schedule an appointment online or call us.