Sleep Apnea Allentown, PA

Why do I always wake up feeling more tired than when I went to sleep?

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that all too often goes undiagnosed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea that affects millions of American adults. If you snore loudly, wake up throughout the night gasping for air, or wake more groggy and tired than when you went to sleep, you may have sleep apnea. There are effective treatment options for OSA that can help guard against further damage to your oral and systemic health.

OSA, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the airway becomes blocked, cutting the flow of oxygen off to the vital organs. This happens when the soft tissues in the mouth relax and collapse towards the back of the throat. The involuntary movement of the soft tissues in the oral cavity barricades the airway making it difficult to breathe properly during sleep.

Patients with sleep apnea frequently snore loudly while they sleep. Patients may also experience headaches when they wake, have difficulty concentrating, and feel irritable and tired all of the time. Untreated, sleep apnea can impact your quality of life, leaving you feeling frustrated and even depressed. However, sleep apnea can be treated as a dental concern by a dentist. Discover more about how we address sleep apnea in our office.

Sleep Apnea in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Do I have sleep apnea?

If one or more of the following symptoms apply to you, consider talking to your physician or dentist about sleep apnea. Anyone can have sleep apnea, however, men over the age of 40 are most commonly diagnosed with sleep apnea. Patients who are overweight, have a large neck circumference or have a genetic predisposition to sleep apnea are also more likely to be diagnosed. Treatment can be life-saving.

  • Snore loudly
  • Wake to gasp for air
  • Morning headaches
  • Groggy, difficulty concentrating
  • Irritable
  • Depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes

How can my dentist help treat sleep apnea?

While your dentist may not be the first person you think of when treating a sleep disorder, Dr. Jose Gil can offer relief. Dr. Gil provides patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea custom oral sleep appliance therapy. Sleep appliance therapy is more discreet and has a higher compliance rate than traditional CPAP machines. The sleep appliance is custom-designed to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep. The device realigns the jaw and tissues to keep the airway clear while you sleep allowing normal oxygen flow. Patients who choose oral sleep appliance therapy for sleep apnea enjoy a more restful, healthy sleep.

Find Help for Sleep Apnea

If you or someone you love may have sleep apnea, contact Dr. Gil. Treating sleep apnea with a customized oral sleep appliance can improve your health and your outlook on life. Hamilton Dental Designs is proud to provide state-of-the-art dental care services with compassion and skill to new and returning patients from communities in and around Allentown, Macungie, Wescosville, and Trexlertown PA. Call our Allentown, PA dentist office at 610-421-4540 or use our online form to request your personal consultation.