Category Archives: Sleep Apnea
Mouthguards Protect Your Smile – They Aren’t Just for Athletes!
Many of us have heard of (or have used) retainers at one point in our lives. Retainers are often used in orthodontic treatment and can keep our teeth straight, but are not specialized in helping protect our teeth – that falls to mouthguards.
According to Cleveland Clinic,
“Mouthguards cover your teeth to protect teeth and gums. Custom-fitted mouthguards fit and protect your teeth better than over-the-counter mouthguards. Night guards can ease bruxism (teeth grinding). Kids and adults should wear mouthguards during contact sports or activities like biking.”
Learn More from Cleveland Clinic: Mouthguards: What are they and what do they do?
The Benefits of Mouthguards
Mouthguards protect your smile, whether you’re an athlete or grind your teeth while you sleep!
- When we play sports. Mouthguards are great athletic gear, especially for collision sports such as boxing, higher-risk sports, and non-contact activities.
- When we’re sleeping. If you’re experiencing sleep apnea or breathing problems when sleeping, mouthguards can help. Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or a mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. This mouth guard is worn only while you sleep and fits like an orthodontic retainer. These oral appliances support your jaw, to help maintain an open upper airway even as your muscles relax.
- When we’re stressed and/or clench our teeth. When we’re dealing with stress, we can unconsciously clench our jaws and teeth during the day and during the night. With the additional stress that has come with a year and a half COVID-19, many dentists are seeing their patients break their teeth or crowns from clenching. Mouthguards provide wonderful protection from this!
Related Article: Stressed Out Oral Health: Gum Disease, Clenching and Grinding!
Who Needs a Mouthguard?
Mouthguards protect your smile and can be used by anyone – children and adults alike. In fact, with so many kiddos going back to school, it’s important to consider the importance of a mouthguard for sports – such as basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, gymnastics, etc.
Even if you or your child only participates in recreational activities, such as skateboarding or hiking, mouthguards are still a great option for protection to remove risk of oral injury.
Mouthguards are also common for adults or children who have Bruxism – or grind their teeth at night. At GPS Dental, we can create custom-fitting mouthguards that are comfortable and fit perfectly within your mouth for sleep without damaging your teeth!
Are You Grinding Your Teeth? Mouthguards are a Solution
Dr. Skrobanek can help prevent cracked and fractured teeth by designing a mouthguard or oral appliance to wear at night to keep you from clenching and grinding your teeth. We know there’s a dental health mental health link and thankfully, mouthguards are a wonderful way to protect your teeth at night. They can also help with sleep apnea and snoring. Each mouthguard will be custom-made by Dr. Skrobanek to fit your mouth comfortably and will keep your teeth separated so they don’t grind together.
There’s more good news: Custom mouthguards or oral appliance therapy is covered by many insurance plans and the team at GPS Dental can help answer any questions you may have about your coverage.
Related Articles:
- Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea
- Are You Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth While You Sleep?
- How GPS Can Help with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Taking Care of My Mouthguard
Similar to a retainer, you can rinse your mouthguard daily with cold water and gently brush it with mild soap and a toothbrush. You can also:
- Clean it with cool, soapy water and rinse.
- Place your mouthguard in a perforated container to keep airflow while it’s stored. Or, if you have an acrylic mouthguard, you can keep it in fresh, clean water.
- It’s good to protect your mouthguard from hot temperatures – hot water, surfaces, etc.
- If you see any holes or wear and tear on your mouthguard, it is time to replace it.
- You can also bring your mouthguard with you when you visit us and we can examine it!
GPS Dental AND Mouthguards Protect Your Smile
Know you know more about how mouthguards protect your smile! It’s also important to stay up to date on your cleanings and routine visits with Dr. Skrobanek. In the meantime, having a strong and steady oral health routine – brushing twice a day and flossing once – is the best thing you can do for your oral health!
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
Sleep Apnea Affects Immune System: Is Your Immune System at Risk?
Let’s talk about how sleep apnea affects immune system … Are you going to bed every night, but waking up feeling cranky, tired, and drowsy? You may not be getting as much sleep as you think you are, and you definitely aren’t alone. Approximately 25 million adults in the U.S. suffer from this chronic condition.
Sleep Apnea is an extremely common problem that makes it very difficult to get a healthy amount of sleep at night. When we don’t get enough sleep, our entire body suffers for it and our immune system can also be at risk.
Sleep apnea explained HERE by The Mayo Clinic.
Effects on the Body
When we do sleep well, our body releases proteins called cytokines. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you’re under stress. Sleep deprivation may decrease production of these protective cytokines. In addition, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don’t get enough sleep.”
Common symptoms of sleep apnea often include:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Trouble paying attention/focus
- Sore throat in the mornings
- Dry mouth
Related Article: Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Can it be treated?
How Sleep Apnea Works
Sleep apnea causes your breathing to pause while sleeping. Repeated breathing pauses occur when your muscles relax while sleeping, as soft tissue collapses and blocks the airway and reduces your oxygen levels. When this happens, your body’s natural reaction is to wake up so you can resume breathing normally.
So, when we’re waking up throughout the night due to breathing interruptions, you’ll be left feeling tired the next day. However, sleep apnea can cause more than just tiredness and irritability. If left untreated, sleep apnea affects immune system issues and has been linked to cause problems, such as:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Acid reflux
- Erectile dysfunction
- Other long-term health risks
Related Articles:
- Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, more than your sleep can be affected
- Is Childhood Obesity Causing Sleep Apnea?
Learn More about the link between autoimmune diseases and sleep apnea HERE.
GPS Dental Can Help
Research does show that using an oral appliance, or mouthguard, is a helpful and effective treatment for sleep apnea. Your mouth guard only has to be worn when sleeping, and will support your jaw and open up your airway to stop any breathing interruptions.
At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to increase. If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!
Related Article: How GPS Can Help with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Many dental insurance companies cover mouth guards, and it’s a wonderful option for keeping your immune system healthy and getting a good night’s rest. Learn about Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio.
Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio
Read more sleep apnea blogs by GPS Dental.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Can it be treated?
Sleep apnea is extremely common in the United States, with over 18 million adults experiencing a form of sleep apnea every night according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea can be caused from multiple factors, such as obesity, large tonsils, a small airway, smoking, alcohol use, and more. Whatever the reason of sleep apnea, it causes pauses of breathing during a sleep cycle. This means that when you have sleep apnea, you could be waking up throughout the night and losing sleep.
More information about sleep apnea from the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
When you lose sleep due to sleep apnea, you can experience a multitude of symptoms. We often associate loud snoring with sleep apnea, as it is sometimes a sign of breathing issues. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk with your doctor and your dentist about sleep apnea.
Information from the Mayo Clinic and Types of Sleep Apnea.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Excessive sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
- Trouble concentrating
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Dry mouth
- Headaches in the morning after waking up
- Depression
- Irritability
Can children develop sleep apnea? Read more HERE.
If these sleep apnea symptoms are left untreated for a long period of time, they could lead to more serious health complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and more.
More on Sleep Apnea Symptoms from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
If you are experiencing the common symptoms of sleep apnea, your dentist or doctor may ask you to participate in a sleep study to monitor your breathing throughout the night. They may ask you about your medical history or perform a physical exam to reach a diagnosis. Remember, more than your sleep can be affected by sleep apnea.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are multiple treatment options for sleep apnea, including:
- Weight loss
- Surgery
- Mouthpieces
- Breathing devices
- Mouth therapy
Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. At GPS Dental, we take sleep apnea very seriously and our FDA-approved mouthguards can help open your airway and support your jaw when sleeping. Talk to Dr. Skrobanek to see what treatment is right for you and begin your path to a better night’s sleep!
Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea from Healthline.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Is Child Obesity Causing Sleep Apnea?
According to sleepforkids.org, 13 percent of children from ages 6 to 11 are overweight. While these age groups should be getting between 10-11 hours of sleep per night, obesity can cause these numbers to go down due to sleep apnea. So, what exactly is sleep apnea and how is it affecting our children?
Childhood Obesity:What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea happens when you have brief, frequent involuntary breathing pauses while you’re sleeping. This causes you to awaken throughout the night and robs you of a deep, soothing sleep pattern. When you’re experiencing sleep apnea, you’ll often feel sleepy and groggy throughout your day. For children, this can hinder any learning activities and can make concentrating at school more difficult.
Sleep apnea has many symptoms that can affect children both during their sleep and during the day. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, sleep apnea may be the cause and discussion with your physician can help determine if that’s the case. Symptoms often include:
- Mouth breathing
- Restless sleep
- Snoring
- Extreme tiredness in the morning
- Hyperactivity
- Inattention
- Sleepiness
- Behavior issues
Related Article: Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, More Than Your Sleep Can Be Affected
Childhood Obesity: How Sleep Apnea Comes About
According to Brian Kaplan, MD, and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, “I had a 16- or 17-year-old patient who was morbidly obese. The child had sleep apnea and was already on CPAP, but it was clear that CPAP was not going to be a long-term solution. We had the child evaluated, and he ended up getting gastric bypass surgery. Over the next six months, he lost about 50 pounds, and we were able to decrease the CPAP settings almost in half.”
Learn more about Brian Kaplan’s study: https://www.enttoday.org/article/pediatric-obesity-and-sleep-apnea/
Therefore, according to physicians worldwide, childhood obesity is often a direct cause of sleep apnea. This is because when overweight, our bodies have a harder time taking deep breaths.
Dr. Kaplan notes that when overweight, we experience “a collapse of the soft tissues of the throat. There are also different fat pads within the throat and in the neck that further narrow the airway.”
Childhood Obesity: Treatment for Sleep Apnea
While simple diet and exercise may come to mind for treating obesity and sleep apnea in children, there are many important steps to take to create a healthy lifestyle for a child, such as:
- Eat meals together
- Be supportive
- Do family activities that involve exercise and movement
- Do not use food items as part of any punishments or rewards – food is necessary and any diets or food restrictions should be taken up with your doctor
- Create a bedtime routine
- Move towards creating a balanced schedule
Related Article: Sleep Apnea Causes, Symptoms and Cures
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, More Than Your Sleep Can Be Affected!
When you hear the term “sleep apnea”, do you immediately think of someone who snores loudly every night? (Does you think of your spouse too?) Disruptive and loud snoring is one of the tell-tale characteristics or symptoms of sleep apnea.
Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, More Than Your Sleep Can Be Affected! As sleep apnea is a dangerous and chronic disorder that if left untreated, may increase the risk of developing additional issues such as:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- diabetes
- complications during pregnancy
- other health problems
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a chronic and relatively common disorder in which the sufferer will experience shallow or frequent pauses in breathing during an average night’s sleep.
The Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Signs of sleep apnea are frequently indicated by:
- explicitly loud snoring and/or breathing
- insomnia and poor sleep
- simultaneously experiencing progressively shallow wheezing
- irregular breathing
- frequent lapses in breathing patterns during sleep
- frequent tiredness
- irritability
- difficulty concentrating while awake
Related Article: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Because these signs seem annoying to the sufferer and their sleeping partner, most people don’t realize they’re actually a much more serious health concern that may bring additional complications.
What happens to your body when you sleep (or try to sleep)?
As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, sleeping for some can be problematic especially for those with sleep apnea, because it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.
Primary symptoms of the disorder are irregular breathing, excessive snoring, and occasional breaks or pauses in breathing, which occur due to the complete relaxation of the throat muscles or airway blockage.
Other symptoms may include:
- constant fatigue
- depression
- chronic headaches
- high blood pressure
- obesity
- complications during pregnancy
If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.
It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as:
- diabetes
- neurological illness
- mental illness
- heart disease
Related Article: Signs of Sleep Apnea: The Bedtime Battle
What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?
The overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high; however, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder and selecting the best method of treatment.
Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common causes of this disorder is obesity; as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.
Other sleep apnea causes include premature births and genetic syndromes that impact facial structures such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Heart and kidney failure, PCOS, hypothyroidism, and conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals can also contribute to a person’s development of sleep apnea.
Related Article: How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?
Big Three: Types of Sleep Apnea
While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Obstructive sleep (or OSA) apnea is without doubt, the most common form of sleep apnea, as it affects approximately 3.6 million Americans today. However, despite such staggering statistics, it is believed that only 10% of those suffering from OSA recognize the symptoms and actively seek treatment for the condition, thereby leaving most suffers untreated.
Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:
- Noticeably loud snoring
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
- Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep
Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.
Central Sleep Apnea:
As opposed to being something of a mechanical problem like OSA, central sleep apnea (or CSA) is more of a muscle signal or miscommunication problem that originates within the brainstem. Although considerably less prevalent than OSA, CSA should not be taken lightly as it may likely be indicative of serious underlying health issues such as heart failure or Parkinson’s disease.
Common symptoms of CSA may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Snoring
- Shortness of breath
- Repeated abrupt awaking
With the central nervous system compromised, both voluntary and involuntary muscle movement becomes increasingly restricted, therefore causing interruptions in involuntary actions such as breathing. This can be particularly problematic during sleep, as the suffer may repeatedly experience abrupt awakenings while attempting to rest, as a natural reaction to the sudden lack of oxygen.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:
The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?
Thanks to a combined effort from both professional dentistry as well as the general and specialized fields of orthodontic and respiratory therapy research, signs of sleep apnea can be identified and treated in several ways.
Mask or Mouth Guard? Finding the Right Solution for You
Sleep Apnea Solution: CPAP Mask
There are treatments available to combat the difficulties of sleep apnea. One of the most common forms is the CPAP mask. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine is used to deliver continuous air pressure to the throat, eliminating the blockage of breath that results when the throat collapses. This apparatus has proven to be beneficial for many sufferers of sleep apnea.
To combat and alleviate the various issues caused by sleep apnea, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, (better known as the “CPAP Mask”) was developed during the early 1980s. Being the only device of its kind at the time, the CPAP mask has been widely successful since its inception and continues to be the most commonly used therapy when treating the disorder.
Despite its undeniable success, the CPAP mask is not without its flaws as the cumbersome and somewhat awkward facial apparatus has been known to cause varying degrees of discomfort, thus leading to a less then desirable or even intolerable experience among some users.
Sleep Apnea Solution: Mouth Guard
For several years now, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (or CPAP mask) has been the “go to therapy” among sufferers of sleep apnea. While this device has proven itself as an extremely effective method of treatment, many people who suffer simply cannot tolerate the awkward and sometimes uncomfortable facial apparatus and may require an alternative type of treatment. Therefore, to accommodate patients with this issue, the dental community has developed a less invasive alternative treatment; a custom mouthguard!
A custom mouth guard closely resembles a sports mouth guard. A Mandibular Advancement Device, or a MAD mouthguard, is designed to realign the jaw. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, this device aids in preventing any obstruction of airflow. It provides better sleep and limits symptoms of loud snoring, wheezing, cessation of breathing, and other factors that impede a successful night’s rest.
While historically a mouthguard is best known for being an essential piece of equipment for athletes in various sports; however, more recently they have become known serving another important purpose. This purpose, (of course) is providing an alternative method in the ever-consistent battle against sleep apnea.
Used primarily in treating the much more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD mouthguard as its often called) is a night-time mouth guard that at first glance, resembles a standard sports mouth guard in general appearance.
However, unlike the sports mouth-guard, the unique MAD mouth guard is designed to shift forward and re-position your jaw, thus preventing the tongue (or anything else) from obstructing and blocking airflow. This not only reduces the signs of sleep apnea, including excessive snoring and wheezing during sleep, but also allows the sufferer to experience a much deeper and uninterrupted nightly rest, thus significantly improving the health and overall well being of the individual!
Related Article: Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea
GPS Dental Can Help Those with Sleep Apnea
At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to increase.
If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!
Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio
Read more sleep apnea blogs by GPS Dental.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Sleep Apnea Causes, Symptoms and Cures
Sleep is vital for good health. It allows the body to heal and restore itself. Without rest, people are unable to function. Sleep apnea is a condition that limits the rest people get because they are woken up repeatedly throughout the night by their inability to breathe.
When sleep apnea persists, it is incredibly disruptive to the lifestyle of not only the sufferer but the people within their household as well. Continue reading to discover sleep apnea causes, symptoms, and cures.
What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?
Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common sleep apnea causes of this disorder is obesity, as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.
Other sleep apnea causes include premature births and genetic syndromes that impact facial structures such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Heart and kidney failure, PCOS, hypothyroidism, and conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals can also contribute to a person’s development of sleep apnea.
Related Article: How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is divided into two main forms: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs during the period of rest when the body and its muscles begin to relax. As relaxation sets in, the throat collapses, and for those with sleep apnea, the airway is blocked. Once the airway is blocked, the person cannot breathe and is awoken.
Central sleep apnea is the brain failing to communicate with the muscles responsible for breathing. This type of sleep apnea is an indication that the body is not fully coordinated, and something is amiss, as the brain is unable to control breathing properly.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
An array of symptoms will present themselves with sleep apnea. You may notice that you or a loved one experience:
- Loud and persistent snoring
- Insomnia & poor sleep
- Frequent tiredness
- Moments of silence accompanied with choking or gasping while sleeping
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating while awake
Related Article: Signs of Sleep Apnea: The Bedtime Battle
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?
Receiving treatment for sleep apnea is imperative. Disregarding the condition can cause extensive health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and more.
You can try oral appliances to control this disorder. Your dentist may suggest a mouth guard that can be worn at night to support the jaw, limit any obstructions of the airway, and allow you to breathe correctly while sleeping.
Related Article: Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea
GPS Dental Can Help Those with Sleep Apnea
If you are suffering from sleep apnea and are seeking treatment, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek. For more information on how you can benefit from an oral appliance while sleeping, contact GPS Dental. Our professionals look forward to speaking with you.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?
Do You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?
How Would You Know and What Can You Do?
Sleep apnea affects many people. It is a condition marked by the continual cessation of breathing while sleeping. This interruption in a person’s breathing is often caused by the obstruction of the upper airway, known as obstructive sleep apnea. It is also caused by central sleep apnea, which is the brain’s inability to signal muscles to continue breathing while you rest.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a severe sleeping disorder that if left ignored, can result in sudden cardiac death.
Sleep is crucial to your well being, and you will notice adverse impacts to your health if sleep apnea continues. If you believe you are dealing with this disorder and wish to discover more information about it, then keep reading to learn symptoms and treatments.
What Are the Symptoms and Health Concerns of Sleep Apnea?
As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, sleeping for some can be problematic especially for those with sleep apnea, as it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.
Primary symptoms of the disorder are irregular breathing, excessive snoring, and occasional breaks or pauses in breathing, which occur due to the complete relaxation of the throat muscles or airway blockage. Other symptoms may include:
- Constant fatigue
- Depression
- Chronic headaches
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.
What Can I Do to Cure Sleep Apnea?
There are treatments available to combat the difficulties of sleep apnea. One of the most common forms is the CPAP mask. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine is used to deliver continuous air pressure to the throat, eliminating the blockage of breath that results when the throat collapses. This apparatus has proven to be beneficial for many sufferers of sleep apnea.
An alternative to the CPAP mask is the use of a mouth guard, which closely resembles a sports mouth guard. A Mandibular Advancement Device, or a MAD mouthguard, is designed to realign the jaw. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, this device aids in preventing any obstruction of airflow. It provides better sleep and limits symptoms of loud snoring, wheezing, cessation of breathing, and other factors that impede a successful night’s rest.
GPS Dental Can Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
At GPS Dental, our professionals are fully trained and equipped to help patients suffering from sleep apnea. Dr. Gary Skrobanek is a member of the San Antonio District Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, and American Dental Association. Dr. Skrobanek also has a membership with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, a society that studies dental therapies for sleep disturbances. With this level of expertise in sleep disorders, GPS Dental is prepared to treat all cases of sleep apnea. If you’d like to book an appointment or gain more insight into this condition, contact us.
Read more about Gary P. Skrobanek, DDS.
Read more sleep apnea blogs by GPS Dental.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.
Signs of Sleep Apnea: The Bedtime Battle!
With long hours spent at work, and the sometimes-grueling daily grind in today’s workforce, it’s easy to see why bedtime is such a welcomed time of day for many people. However, signs of sleep apnea can cause constant interruptions in one’s rest that can quickly turn this time of relaxation into an exhausting, nightly battle for sleep! Certainly, such a scenario sounds like a nightmare; however, for those suffering from sleep apnea, this nightmare is an unfortunate reality as those afflicted must endure this bedtime battle on a regular basis!
The Signs of Sleep Apnea
Although still somewhat unfamiliar to the general populace (and often unknown to non-sufferers) sleep apnea is actually a relatively common sleep disorder that affects approximately 3.6 million people in the U.S. today. Signs of sleep apnea are frequently indicated by:
- explicitly loud snoring and/or breathing
- simultaneously experiencing progressively shallow wheezing
- irregular breathing
- frequent lapses in breathing patterns during sleep
Related Article: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Due to this, the signs of sleep apnea are frequently characterized incorrectly as simply a nuisance; a nuisance generally experienced by the sleeping partner of the sufferer rather than the sufferer themselves.
Unfortunately, the issues associated with sleep apnea run much deeper than that, as it is a chronic disorder that can develop into a serious health concern with far-reaching complications. Such symptoms, issues and signs of sleep apnea may include the development or worsening of conditions such as:
- chronic headaches
- heightened blood pressure
- depression
- chronic fatigue
- complications during pregnancy
It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as diabetes, neurological illness, mental illness, or heart disease.
While sleep apnea can certainly be a problematic disorder if left unchecked or improperly treated, fortunately thanks to combined effort from both professional dentistry as well the general and specialized fields of orthodontic and respiratory therapy research, signs of sleep apnea can be identified and treated in several ways. Although the overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder, and therefore select the appropriate method of treatment.
Types & Triggers: What Causing Your Sleep Apnea?
While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Unquestionably, the most common variation of the disorder is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and as its name implies, indicates an obstruction or blockage within the sufferer’s airway. This occurs as result of muscle relaxation causing the tongue to inadvertently cover and block off the airway, thereby hindering the flow of air.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea is another distinct (but much less common) variation of sleep apnea, which is triggered from a highly different source altogether. Contrasting heavily to the before-mentioned obstructive sleep apnea, Central Sleep Apnea originates within the brain stem of the afflicted individual, and directly affects the central nervous system’s ability to transmit signals throughout the body.
With the central nervous system compromised, both voluntary and involuntary muscle movement becomes increasingly restricted, therefore causing interruptions in involuntary actions such as breathing. This can be particularly problematic during sleep, as the suffer may repeatedly experience abrupt awakenings while attempting to rest, as a natural reaction to the sudden lack of oxygen.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Certainly, both aforementioned types of sleep apnea can present a whole slew of problems in terms of one’s physical and mental well-being. Unfortunately for a certain number of sleep apnea suffers, the disorder can even evolve into a compound issue, in which they develop what’s known as Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is the simultaneous manifestation of both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Obviously, this is considered to be the most severe variation of sleep apnea, and while cases of Complex Sleep Apnea are exceptionally rare, it can occur if sleep apnea is improperly treated, or by interference of additional health issues or outside circumstances.
Mask or Mouth Guard? Finding the Right Solution for You
Sleep Apnea Solution: CPAP Mask
To combat and alleviate the various issues caused by sleep apnea, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, (better known as the “CPAP Mask”) was developed during the early 1980s. Being the only device of its kind at the time, the CPAP mask has been widely successful since its inception and continues to be the most commonly used therapy when treating the disorder.
Despite its undeniable success, the CPAP mask is not without its flaws as the cumbersome and somewhat awkward facial apparatus has been known to cause varying degrees of discomfort, thus leading to a less then desirable or even intolerable experience among some users.
Sleep Apnea Solution: Mouth Guard
Therefore, to accommodate those with this issue, and provide sleep apnea sufferers with an alternative treatment method, the dental industry has introduced a new type of mouth guard to be used to manage the affliction.
While historically a mouthguard is best known for being an essential piece of equipment for athletes in various sports; however, more recently they have become known serving another important purpose. This purpose, (of course) is providing an alternative method in the ever-consistent battle against sleep apnea.
Used primarily in treating the much more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD mouthguard as its often called) is a night-time mouth guard that at first glance, resembles a standard sports mouth guard in general appearance. However, unlike the sports mouth-guard, the unique MAD mouth guard is designed to shift forward and re-position your jaw, thus preventing the tongue (or anything else) from obstructing and blocking airflow. This not only reduces the signs of sleep apnea, including excessive snoring and wheezing during sleep, but also allows the sufferer to experience a much deeper and uninterrupted nightly rest, thus significantly improving the health and overall well being of the individual!
Related Article: Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea
Surviving Sleep Apnea: You CAN Do It! We CAN Help!
At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for a several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to remain largely stagnant.
As human beings, we are an active, intelligent, and highly successful species; however, when robbed of the necessary amount of sleep, our bodies’ natural ability to function is severely hindered. Simply put, you NEED your sleep, and with an ongoing issue like sleep apnea, getting a good nights sleep can be almost impossible!
If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!
Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is an expert in sleep apnea and would like to discuss your signs of sleep apnea at your consultation or dental appointment. His experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dentistry and gentle family dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea
Custom Mouthguards: Not Just for Sport!
For several years now, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (or CPAP mask) has been the “go to therapy” among sufferers of sleep apnea. While this device has proven itself as an extremely effective method of treatment, many people who suffer simply cannot tolerate the awkward and sometimes uncomfortable facial apparatus and may require an alternative type of treatment. Therefore, to accommodate patients with this issue, the dental community has developed a less invasive alternative treatment; a custom mouthguard!
We know that when one hears the term custom mouthguard, typically the first thing that comes to mind is protecting your teeth during sports. However, although they may look relatively similar to a sports mouthguard, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD as we call it) is a unique, nighttime mouthguard that fits directly over your upper and lower jaw. The purpose of the MAD is to pull forward and re-position your jaw into maintaining an unobstructed airway, hereby reducing snoring and drastically improving your breathing while you sleep.
While there are a growing number of patients who can attribute to the overall effectiveness of the MAD or custom mouthguard, perhaps few can attest to its prowess better than our own Genny Skrobanek!
As wife of Dr. Gary Skrobanek, Genny is certainly familiar with some of the recent innovations in dental technology, and how they can have a major impact on the lives of those whom they benefit. Previously Genny had shared with us, a personal experience in which she expressed how grateful she was her for husband’s oral appliance (or custom mouthguard), as Dr. Skrobanek himself was once a snorer! Genny also recalled her father’s snoring during her childhood, citing his ability to “wake up the whole house” with his persistently loud wheezing. Although, her father’s snoring issues have largely diminished since receiving his MAD appliance. While vacationing recently, Genny’s mother was awoken buy the sound of loud snoring, only to discover that instead of being able to blame her husband, the snoring was in fact hers! Because of this, Genny’s mother knows it’s time to be fitted for a MAD appliance of her own!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Despite being a somewhat new term amongst the general public, sleep apnea is relatively common sleep disorder that affects many people across the globe. Often characterized by noticeably loud and disruptive snoring, sleep apnea is a chronic disorder in which the sufferer will experience shallow or frequent pauses in breathing during an average night’s sleep. Although initially appearing as little more than a nuisance and perhaps an issue amongst sleeping partners, sleep apnea can be a potentially serious health concern that may increase the risk of developing additional issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, complications during pregnancy, and a slew of additional problems.
Related Article: Wake UP Gary!!!Go Put in Your Mouthguard!!
The Big Three: The Different Types of Sleep Apnea
Although the disorder is classified as sleep apnea in a general sense, there are in fact three different variations of sleep apnea, and each of which may affect the sufferer in specific ways.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Obstructive sleep (or OSA) apnea is without doubt, the most common form of sleep apnea, as it affects approximately 3.6 million Americans today. However, despite such staggering statistics, it is believed that only 10% of those suffering from OSA recognize the symptoms and actively seek treatment for the condition, thereby leaving most suffers untreated.
Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:
- Noticeably loud snoring
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
- Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep
Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.
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Central Sleep Apnea:
As opposed to being something of a mechanical problem like OSA, central sleep apnea (or CSA) is more of a muscle signal or miscommunication problem that originates within the brainstem. Although considerably less prevalent than OSA, CSA should not be taken lightly as it may likely be indicative of serious underlying health issues such as heart failure or Parkinson’s disease.
Common symptoms of CSA may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Snoring
- Shortness of breath
- Repeated abrupt awaking
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Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:
The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).
Custom Mouthguard: Get MAD … but not literally
As human beings, we are an active, intelligent, and highly successful species, however when robbed of the necessary amount of sleep, our bodies’ natural ability to function is severely hindered. Simply put, you NEED your sleep, and with an ongoing issue like sleep apnea, getting a goodnight’s sleep can be almost impossible!
While the CPAP machine remains the most effective tool in treating the more advanced cases of sleep apnea, (such as complex sleep apnea) if the machine doesn’t work for you, then maybe is time to get MAD! By visiting us at GPS Dental, Dr. Skrobanek can fit you with your very own customized MAD appliance. This custom mouthguard will be both durable and comfortable to use and is usually covered by most insurance plans.
Related Article: Brooks City Base Dentist: GPS Spotlight on Dr. Gary Skrobanek
Everyone deserves a goodnight’s sleep, so if the MAD custom mouthguard sounds like the right solution for your sleep apnea, come see us … we can help you!
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
Custom Mouthguards help Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Symptoms: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Lack of sleep is reaching epidemic levels in the United States and much of the sleeplessness that we are experiencing is self-induced; from late-night TV to the blue glow of late-night screen time with your favorite device. I guess you can call it techy-induced insomnia. Our world has quickly changed due to the evolution of technology and many feel it is a main cause of a disorder known as Sleep Apnea. Many times this disorder is improperly diagnosed as insomnia. Over 20 million Americans suffer from Sleep Apnea, but almost 90% of people who have Sleep Apnea are undiagnosed.
Here are a couple of eye-popping statistics about people who suffer from Sleep Apnea:
- People with sleep apnea are twice as likely to crash and die in a car accident
- People with sleep apnea also have a 30% higher risk of dying from a heart attack
The most common type of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It can set off a chain reaction of negative health conditions that include stroke, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression … the list goes on and on.
Related Article: Having Trouble Sleeping? Talk to Your Dentist!
It’s important to pay attention to signs or symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to know if you should find help.
Here are ten signs that you might have sleep apnea:
1. Excessive and persistent snoring
Does your snoring wake you up in the middle of the night? Or does it wake the person sleeping next to you up at night? Does the snoring sound like a lawnmower? Is it extremely loud? This type of excessive snoring is the first sign of sleep apnea. This is because there is an obstruction in the respiratory tract, which is pretty much the definition of sleep apnea.
Of course, just because you snore doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. A lot of people snore and a lot of them snore loudly. It’s just a sign that if you have excessive, loud snoring, you should talk to Dr. Skrobanek about it during your next dental appointment.
2. Obesity
In the U.S., obesity rates are out of this world and approximately 65% of Americans are obese or overweight. We lead a much more sedentary lifestyle than our ancestors did. One hundred years ago, our population was very active. They were laborers, farmers and field workers. And they ate real food; not processed food and definitely not fast food. Our lifestyle is wreaking havoc on our health as a nation and on our waist line.
However, researchers believe that the heavier someone is, the larger their neck is, which could increase a person’s chances of developing sleep apnea.
3. Always feeling tired
Regardless of how long you sleep each night, do you wake up still feeling tired? Is it hard to stay awake during a meeting at work or while you’re driving? Chronic fatigue is another very common sign of sleep apnea. Especially if you are consistently feeling like you’ve had a bad night of sleep.
You may not realize that you’re having multiple pauses in your breathing every night, which can keep from getting into that deep sleep your body needs. If this is the case, your body thinks you’re taking a light cat nap instead of getting 7 to 8 hours of restful, deep sleep. Make sure to let Dr. Skrobanek know at your next dental appointment if you’re more tired than normal.
4. Night sweats
Do you wake up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat? It could have been a nightmare and it could because you have sleep apnea. Your body goes into hyper-drive each time you stop breathing or have when is commonly referred to as an apnea. Essentially your body is fighting to get air and causing night sweats. Or because you’re lacking oxygen and missing breaths, your body is in fight or flight mode of panic. Either way, you’re waking up from night sweats and you could be suffering from sleep apnea.
5. Continually waking up at night
Sometimes people with obstructive sleep apnea can experience hundreds of breathing pauses during the night. Each time this happens, your body is waking you up and causing you to be tired the next day. This can be one of the most damaging signs of sleep apnea, because it’s causing your body to not get the deep sleep it desperately needs.
6. Frequent nighttime urination
Are you waking up several times during the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? Most people can sleep for 7 to 8 hours during the night without having to urinate; however, if you are suffering from sleep apnea, getting up multiple times every night to go to the bathroom is definitely a tell-tale sign.
Researchers believe that frequent nighttime urination is caused by a disruption in the circadian rhythm that regulates your sleep patterns. So, you’re in a vicious circle of waking up gasping for air and needing to urinate.
7. Morning headaches
Do you wake up in the morning with a headache on a regular basis? If so, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Deep, painful, throbbing headaches can be caused from an increased amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream, due to a lack of oxygen. The excess carbon dioxide that is being trapped in the blood vessels around your head is causing you to wake up with a headache. They usually occur on both sides of the head, instead of just on one side. Make sure to mention this to Dr. Skrobanek at your next dental appointment.
8. Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
All of your snoring and struggles to breathe each night can wreak havoc on your respiratory tract and can cause you to wake up each morning with an extremely dry mouth or sore throat. The tendency to sleep with your mouth open is a habit of people who suffer from sleep apnea.
9. Irritable, anxious and depressed
Not getting enough sleep can make us irritable and anxious. A poor night’s sleep can release a hormone into your body called cortisol, which increases your stress levels and can cause depression. Yes, this is yet another sign that you could be suffering from sleep apnea, especially if you don’t have other medical conditions.
10. Diabetes
Studies show that nearly 50% of people who suffer from diabetes also suffer from sleep apnea. So, researchers believe there is link between sleep apnea and type-2 diabetes. Why is this so prevalent? This percentage is so high, because sleep apnea can cause severe disruptions in blood sugar levels. This is caused because when you get less sleep, your body processes less glucose. So, if you have sleep apnea, there is a good chance you have or will be diagnosed with diabetes. And, if you have diabetes, you have a higher chance of suffering from sleep apnea.
Dr. Skrobanek can help …
Believe it or not, dentists can be the first healthcare professional to see the signs of disease, which is one of the main reasons you should always make your twice a year dental appointments a high priority for you and your family.
Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental and his team of experts makes it one of their top priorities to help each of their patients have the best oral health possible. Oral health is one of your best defenses in keeping the rest of your body healthy.
Now what do I do?
If you’re suffering from any of these signs of sleep apnea, please alert Dr. Skrobanek. Having the proper information can help him get you proper treatment. Many people can be treated for sleep apnea by wearing custom mouthguards when they sleep. In fact, there are over 100 sleep appliances that are FDA approved to help this very common disorder and Dr. Skrobanek will determine which is best for you.
Related Information: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio
Custom mouthguards can help!
Custom mouthguards, or oral appliance therapy, is a very effective treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. The mouthguard is worn while you sleep and fits like an orthodontic retainer. These devices support your jaw to help you maintain an open upper airway while you sleep.
Related Article: Wake UP Gary!! Put in Your Mouthguard!!
Custom mouthguards or oral appliance therapy is covered by many insurance plans and the team at GPS Dental can help answer any questions you may have about your coverage.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
