SE Calgary Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Worried about snoring or sleep apnea? Ask us and we can refer you.
If you often feel tired during the day, have trouble sleeping, have breathing difficulties while asleep, snore or have enlarged tonsils, you may have sleep apnea. We understand how much it can affect daily life. We do not test for sleep apnea or make sleep appliances at Heritage Dental Centre, but if you are worried about your symptoms, ask us at your next visit and we can refer you for testing and treatment.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common but potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with sleep apnea often have symptoms such as loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the muscles at the very back of the throat relax too much, narrowing the airway and disrupting normal breathing. These pauses in breathing, known as apneas, lower sleep quality and can lead to several health risks if not treated. Because the symptoms of sleep apnea are easy to overlook, it is important to mention any concerns to your dentist or family doctor.
What are Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Headaches in the morning that may last for several hours after waking up
- Dry mouth when waking up
- Irritability or frustration
- Restless sleep with periods of wakefulness throughout the night
- Reduced focus
- Increased need to get up from bed to urinate
- Loud snoring that is often punctuated by choking or gasping sounds (this may only come to a person’s attention after they are observed by a bed partner)
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment
Although sleep apnea is a common condition, it can pose serious risks to overall health if left untreated. It is diagnosed with a sleep study, which we do not provide in-house. If you have symptoms, talk to us or your family doctor and we can point you in the right direction.
After a sleep apnea diagnosis, the two main treatment options are a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which stabilizes breathing by delivering a steady flow of air through a mask worn during sleep, and a custom oral appliance, which helps keep the airway open by gently repositioning the jaw. Oral appliances can also reduce snoring. The right option is something to decide with the provider who diagnoses you.
Referrals for Sleep Apnea and Snoring
We do not make sleep apnea or snoring appliances at Heritage Dental Centre. If you think you may have sleep apnea, or you have been diagnosed and are looking into an oral appliance, ask us and we can refer you to a provider who offers sleep testing and appliance therapy. If you clench or grind your teeth, we can also talk to you about Botox injections for bruxism, which we do offer here.
If you have questions about sleep apnea or snoring, please call Heritage Dental Centre at (403) 253-0277.
Book with Heritage Dental Centre
To book an appointment, call us at (403) 253-0277.