Sleep Apnea Treatment, Vancouver: 5 Questions to Ask Your Dentist

Over 5 million Canadians have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or are at a high risk of developing the condition. Are you one of them?

If so, you probably have tons of questions about your health and potential treatments. And, your dentist is the first person you should ask!

Read on for 5 essential questions that you should get answered immediately, plus essential tips on finding the best sleep apnea treatment in Vancouver.

1. What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is actually a complex condition that comes in multiple varieties and can impact patients of all ages. Simply put, it’s a serious medical concern that can cause you to stop breathing while you sleep.

Many risk factors like obesity and smoking can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea. But, other factors like nasal congestion and genetics can also up your risk.

2. How Can I Tell if I Have Sleep Apnea?

If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, like loud snoring, gasping for air while sleeping, morning headaches, or an extremely dry mouth when you wake up – you might have sleep apnea.

But, the best way to find out for sure is to visit your dentist for an evaluation.

3. Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?

Depending on how severe the condition has become, the effects of sleep apnea can actually be quite dangerous.

While it might seem that your snoring is little more than an annoyance, you might actually be experiencing episodes of breathlessness while you sleep. This can cause a wide variety of secondary symptoms – and it can even put your life in danger.

4. What Are My Options for Treatment?

If you came here wondering, “can sleep apnea be treated?” – you’re in luck. It can!

Dental treatments can often help ease the symptoms. And, in some cases, surgery can be used to widen or reinforce the airway. Other patients may benefit from the use of a CPAP machine, used to maintain positive pressure in the airway and keep you breathing.

5. What’s the Difference Between Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common condition. This medical concern arises when your throat muscles relax, allowing your airway to close.

Central sleep apnea, by contrast, takes place when your brain doesn’t send the proper signal to the muscles that control your body’s breathing.

A third, less common condition called complex sleep apnea syndrome, sometimes called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, is diagnosed when a patient has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Vancouver

With this article as your guide, you’re ready to meet with your dentist and start getting those hard-to-ask questions answered!

Keep in mind that you’ll want to act quickly, as sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted and lead to further health problems later on. Thankfully, a wide variety of fast-acting treatments can help you feel better soon, with deep, restful sleep and a break from snoring and other troublesome symptoms.

For the best sleep apnea treatment in Vancouver, contact O2 Dental or call 604 684 4420 today! Our friendly team is standing by and happy to help.