Do I Have Sleep Apnea Great Falls, MT
For many patients, treating sleep apnea can improve their overall quality of life. The condition can be obtrusive and affect you in both your sleeping and waking hours. Sleep apnea may be treatable through dental care.
Solutions for sleep apnea are available at Cottonwood Family Dentistry in Great Falls and the surrounding area. Maintaining your dental health can also benefit your sleep. We may be able to help. Call us today at (406) 296-7725 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping and breathing disorder in which breathing stops and starts periodically throughout a person's sleep. This can have a negative impact on their oxygen levels and results in lower quality sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Central sleep apnea (CSA), and Mixed sleep apnea, and various causes for each.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, caused by a physical blockage of the airways in the throat, obstructing normal airflow. CSA results from the brain's muscle control system and the way in which breathing signals are sent to the throat and respiratory muscles. Mixed sleep apnea, also called complex sleep apnea, refers to a person who has both OSA and CSA.
“Sleep apnea is a sleeping and breathing disorder in which breathing stops and starts periodically throughout a person’s sleep.”
Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep Disorders
There are several different types of sleep disorders. Each falls into six different categories: insomnias, hypersomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep movement disorders. While insomnia is a type of sleep disorder where the patient is unable to fall or stay asleep, hypersomnia is a group of sleep disorders that cause a patient to feel excessively sleepy.
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that consist of having undesirable experiences while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. Sleep apnea can be an underlying cause of parasomnias, since intermittently losing breath inevitably puts stress on the body. The same can be said for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (where the sleep times are out of alignment) and sleep movement disorders (where movement during or before sleep interferes with sleep). Sleep apnea itself is a sleep-related breathing disorder, where there is difficulty breathing during sleep.
“There are several different types of sleep disorders.”
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health. Often, the pauses in breathing associated with sleep apnea are caused by flaccid muscles in the back of the throat, a too-large tongue, or a too-small jaw. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is the first sign of sleep apnea. This may cause tooth wear and breakage, along with inflamed and receding gums. Cottonwood Family Dentistry can conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether or not a patient has sleep apnea.
“Many patients are surprised to learn about the link between sleep apnea and dental health.”
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Recognizing Sleep Apnea
Some groups may be more at risk of developing sleep apnea than others. Age, for instance, increases one's chance of developing sleep apnea. The condition is also more common in younger men than in younger women. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor diet, may also contribute. Taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle may lessen an individual's risk of developing sleep apnea.
Being able to recognize the signs of sleep apnea is crucial. Patients should watch out for sore throat upon waking, excessive daytime sleeping, restless sleep, decreased libido, waking during the night, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults. These may include bedwetting, choking, drooling, excessive nighttime sweatiness, learning and behavior issues, and problems at school.
“Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the difference between sleep apnea and other sleep disorders?
Q. What are the signs of sleep apnea?
Q. How can I manage my sleep apnea?
Q. What is sleep apnea? What are the types of sleep apnea?
People Also Ask
Q. What does the dentist look for in a dental examination?
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Treating Sleep Apnea
Luckily, there are many different ways to treat sleep apnea including oral appliances. Patients who are good candidates for oral appliances must have impressions of their teeth and return for a fitting during a later appointment. It may be necessary for patients to have another sleep test while wearing the device to ensure its efficacy. Further office visits may be required to make adjustments. These devices are unobtrusive and easy to travel with, as they do not require any electricity.
Other options include continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and surgery. These are more involved treatments that may benefit those with more severe cases of sleep apnea. Cottonwood Family Dentistry can help patients determine which treatment is right for them.
“Cottonwood Family Dentistry can help patients determine which treatment is right for them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How common is sleep apnea?
A. According to the Sleep Foundation, "Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect between 2-9% of adults in the United States, but many cases are believed to go undiagnosed." Since a person may go a long period of time without realizing that they have sleep apnea, many are unaccounted for.
Q. What is the success rate of sleep apnea treatments?
A. Each case, treatment, and person is different. There could be two patients with the same type of sleep apnea but who have entirely different results. For example, the success rate of most sleep apnea surgeries is 60%, while a CPAP machine may completely cure a person of their condition.
Q. What are the possible complications of untreated sleep apnea?
A. Sleep apnea is a life-threatening condition as oxygen is a pertinent component of overall health, affecting nearly every organ. Going without treatment can result in hypertension, heart disease, fatigue, migraines, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, and liver problems.
Q. What are the long-term effects of sleep apnea?
A. Going without treatment for a long period of time can have dire effects on the mind and body. Long-term effects of sleep apnea include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, heart attacks, and irregular heartbeat. It is important to seek immediate help and treatment when first experiencing symptoms.
Q. What foods should be avoided for patients with sleep apnea?
A. There are not many restrictions on foods and beverages for patients with sleep apnea unless their case is caused by an allergy or other specific factor. Dairy and bananas are known to increase mucus production, which can cause or progress sleep apnea. We will discuss any restrictions if a patient's case requires them.
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Dental Terminology
Learn More Today
Treating sleep apnea can improve your overall dental health and quality of life. We at Cottonwood Family Dentistry may be able to help. Call us today at (406) 296-7725 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
About our business and website security
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