Central Park South, New York City’s premier source for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

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Get Relief From Sleep Apnea

Did you know that your dentist is commonly the first step in diagnosing sleep apnea? An estimated 1 in 12 Americans suffer from sleep apnea, so it might be time to book that dental visit. Morgan Herman, DDS, Michael Herman, DDS, and the team at Beyond Dentistry NYC on Central Park South in New York City can help you begin your journey toward a better night’s sleep and improved overall health.

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Snoring might not be harmless

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder where your upper airway is blocked while you sleep, causing you to stop breathing entirely for extended periods of time throughout the night. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes, and sufferers of sleep apnea can have hundreds of these episodes every night. Sleep apnea prevents the brain and body from getting enough oxygen and can put you at risk for total respiratory failure.

Sleep apnea is dangerous if left untreated, and can lead to a number of severe health conditions, such as:

  • Diabetes

  • Depression

  • Headaches

  • High blood pressure

  • Stroke

  • Heart failure and irregular heartbeats

And by depriving you of a good night’s rest, sleep apnea affects your quality of life in more immediate ways, such as increased irritability, fatigue, and drowsiness throughout the day.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

You might notice some of the following symptoms if you have sleep apnea:

  • Loud snoring

  • Lack of energy during the day

  • Waking up throughout the night with a gasping or choking sensation

  • Forgetfulness, decreased interest in sex, and mood changes

  • Morning headaches

  • Insomnia

  • Extreme drowsiness

  • Irregular sleep

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Waking up with a dry or sore throat

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the team of experts at Beyond Dentistry. They can give you a more thorough evaluation to determine whether you’re suffering from sleep apnea. Some of the indications they’re looking for are:

  • Worn tooth surfaces that indicate bruxism (teeth grinding)

  • Scalloped edges on your tongue

  • Redness in your throat

Because of the proximity of your airway and your mouth, a dentist is usually the earliest diagnostician of sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

How do you treat sleep apnea?

The Beyond Dentistry NYC team offers several solutions for treating your sleep apnea.

  • One treatment option is a custom-fitted night guard that you wear in your mouth while you sleep. Night guards for sleep apnea are designed to push your lower jaw forward, which helps to open up space in your airway and keep up a consistent and unobstructed flow of oxygen.

  • They might also recommend some lifestyle changes that can help to limit the pressure you put on your airways, such as dietary changes and smoking cessation.

  • They can also refer you to a sleep specialist, who can prescribe you a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. This is a machine that you wear over your nose and mouth while you sleep that provides a steady stream of oxygen and prevents your airway from closing.

Stop losing sleep. Schedule an appointment today with Beyond Dentistry NYC.