Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. These temporary breathing lapses cause lower-quality sleep and affect your body’s supply of oxygen, leading to potentially more serious health consequences. This means the brain, and the rest of the body, may not get enough oxygen.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder across the United States. It can affect children and adults and people of both sexes, but it is most common in men. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 18 million Americans struggle with some degree of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can develop from several reasons, but the most common causes are from the muscles in the throat becoming weakened, the jaw being too small, or the tongue being too large, all of which will result in an obstruction to your airway.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation regarding the potential of you suffering from sleep apnea. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
The Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Due to sleep apnea’s prevalence and potential health impact, it is crucial for you to be aware of what sleep apnea is and to know the symptoms, types, causes, and potential treatments. Call Dr. Crystal Dental for an evaluation if you think you might have sleep apnea.
The most common and frequent signs associated with sleep apnea include the following:
- Waking up in the night numerous times gasping for air.
- You experience loud snoring.
- Your throat is extremely dry when you wake up.
- You have chronic headaches in the mornings.
- You have persistent fatigue.
- You experience brain fog or even memory loss.
- You have mood swings, depression, or other mood disorders.
- Dental changes such as scalloping of the tongue, narrow arches, receded chin, and worn/chipping teeth.
How Dr. Crystal Dental Diagnoses Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is most often discovered when your partner complains about your snoring while sleeping or complaints of excessive sleepiness during the daytime. If you are told this is an issue, Dr. Crystal Dental will be able to provide further evaluation of the issue to see if it may be related to sleep apnea and can make the proper referral to test and get a diagnosis. Some manifestations of Sleep Apnea can be recognized by looking at the mouth during your dental examination. Dr. Dr. Crystal will look for signs of change in your mouth such as scalloping of the tongue, narrow arches, receded chin, erosion on the surfaces of the teeth or even worn/chipping teeth. If you suffer from these issues, Dr. Crystal Dental may recommend a sleep study to properly diagnose and develop a proper treatment plan.
You can consider Dr. Crystal Dental as your front line of defense when it comes to recognizing the signs of sleep apnea. When we see you every six months for your regular exam and checkup, we ask basic questions to identify and strategize a treatment plan to combat this sleeping disorder. We can use several diagnostic methods to evaluate your sleep and determine the severity of your condition. We will work directly with your physician for a proper diagnosis and discuss multiple options to help address your sleep apnea.
The Dangers and Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea
A common misconception regarding sleep apnea is that it is not a significant health issue. Although the snoring can be troublesome for your partner, sleep apnea can result in far more serious health issues occurring, including the following:
- Elevated Blood Pressure
- Chronic Headaches
- Increased Risk of Diabetes
- Energy Sapping Depression
- Nagging Fatigue
- Diminished Sex Drive
- Increased Risk of Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Life Changing Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Memory Loss
If you believe you may have sleep apnea, please take the time to get tested and treated at Dr. Crystal Dental. Doing so may have a profoundly positive impact on your overall health and prevent these serious issues from developing.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
There are several treatment options available. Some treatments are designed to correct the root cause of your sleep apnea while others are meant to help reduce the symptoms. Consult with Dr. Crystal Dental about which treatment option is right for you.
- Lifestyle Change: The good news about sleep apnea is that in many situations, it can be corrected by changing some daily habits and improving how you care for yourself. If you are committed to pursuing nonsurgical methods and treat this issue naturally, there are several options available. Exercising more, being aware of eating healthy, and reducing or eliminating the use of nicotine and alcohol can have tremendous positive results in reducing your sleep apnea symptoms. Taking steps to controlling your stressors, either through yoga, mindfulness, a massage, or a reduced workload can also help reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea issues.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Crystal Dental can help by providing an oral appliance, much like a mouthguard, which you can comfortably wear at night. It is designed to gently open your airway while you sleep, minimizing the obstructions, making it easier to breathe. Research shows the oral appliance can be equally as effective as the CPAP machine for cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea.
- CPAP Machine: A CPAP Machine is a popular and common treatment option for sleep apnea. The CPAP machine blows pressurized air through a mask that is placed over your nose and mouth while you sleep. This is a proven effective way to keep your airways open.
- Surgery: If you have made changes to your daily habits but still suffer from sleep apnea, there are surgical procedures that can be considered that will widen your breathing passageways.
Stopping your snoring benefits your overall health but also your relationships. You can feel rested and sleep in the same room without bothering your loved ones. As your dental healthcare provider, we will work closely with your physician to treat your sleep apnea and your snoring.v
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment for an evaluation to see if you suffer from sleep apnea. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.