When you think of sleep apnea (snoring), you might not consider going to your dentist for treatment. But your dental health is related to your overall health more than you might think! Dentists and doctors often work closely together to provide you with the care you need when it comes to diagnosing and managing your sleep apnea. Here’s what your dentist can do!

Discuss Your Symptoms

Like your primary doctor, your dentist can discuss your symptoms to determine if sleep apnea might be the cause. The main symptom of sleep apnea is snoring—but you might also experience things like daytime drowsiness, headaches, mood swings, dry mouth, and waking up several times a night. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, your dentist can help guide you in the right direction!

Refer You to Your Medical Doctor

Sleep apnea is properly diagnosed with a sleep study. During a sleep study, your breathing will be monitored to determine if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes your airway to narrow. Your Newnan dentist will likely refer you to your medical doctor for this test, in order to form a proper treatment plan based on its results.

Provide Relief with a Snore Guard

If you are diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, your dentist can talk to you about treatment with a snore guard. A snore guard is a dental device that is worn at night to bring your lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping your airway open and decreasing your risk of snoring! Your snore guard will be custom-made, so that it fits comfortably in your mouth. If you have severe sleep apnea (as determined by a sleep study), you can still benefit from a snore guard, but additional treatment may also be required.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to find relief with a snore guard, contact our office today! We can schedule your appointment with Dr. Schultz to discuss a treatment plan that’s right for you.