Reliable Sleep Apnea Screening in Dexter
If you find yourself waking up with headaches or feeling tired during the daytime, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. However, it can be challenging to know if sleep apnea is the source of your health problems and, if so, how severe your condition is. At Fifth Street Dental Care, our experienced team of professionals, led by Dr. Doni Mallia, is proud to provide skilled sleep apnea screening services.
You can rest assured that our experienced team is here for you. Whether you're a new or current patient, we'll make the entire process as stress-free as possible. We look forward to identifying your sleep apnea and setting you on the right track for treatment. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment with our Dexter sleep apnea team!
CALL US: (734) 426-2220 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in your breathing during sleep. Although sleep apnea has a reputation as an annoyance, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
When your breathing stops during sleep, even if only for a few seconds or a minute, it can create an imbalance between your blood's carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. As soon as your body detects the imbalance, it will wake you up so that you can take in more oxygen. You likely won't remember waking, but the process greatly disrupts the quality of your sleep, leading to chronic health problems over time.
Our practice has extensive experience screening for both types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea is when air cannot properly flow through your nose or mouth due to relaxed muscle tissue in the throat. Central sleep apnea is when your brain fails to send crucial signals to your breathing muscles. No matter what type of sleep apnea you're suffering from, our team can help you identify it.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Although most signs of sleep apnea are easy to notice, some can be more subtle. It's important to remember that you don't have to exhibit every sign of sleep apnea to be suffering from it. Our dental team is more than happy to sit down with you and outline some of the signs to keep an eye out for, including:
- Loud and frequent snoring
- Insomnia
- Suddenly waking up from sleep
- High blood pressure
- Daytime drowsiness
- Morning headaches
- Irritability or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Low energy levels
- Low sex drive
Our Approach to Sleep Apnea Screening
You may wonder how a dentist can assist you with sleep apnea. Our dental team has a wealth of knowledge regarding healthy oral function and structure. We can identify potential signs of sleep apnea and track changes that can have significant health consequences. If you're a patient of record, we can use your dental records as a baseline to help us notice subtle differences that others may miss.
When you visit our office for the first time, we'll begin by conducting an ADA-recommended screening questionnaire. Do you snore loudly at night? Has anyone observed you not breathing or choking during sleep? After this interview, we'll use your results to assess your risk of sleep apnea. Depending on the nature of your sleep apnea, we may recommend that you visit a trusted local sleep doctor or a physician for testing. Finally, our team will work to create your personalized sleep apnea appliance.
Sleep Apnea Screening FAQs
Sleep apnea screening can be an uncertain and confusing process. As such, our team is here to answer any questions you may have about sleep apnea screening or the treatment process. Some frequently asked questions about sleep apnea screening include:
Yes. If you regularly use a CPAP machine and find yourself still struggling with sleep apnea, our team is here for you. Our sleep apnea screening services can help determine if another treatment option is better suited to your needs.
It's important to understand the risk factors for sleep apnea so that you can confidently act if you suspect you're dealing with sleep apnea. Some of the most common risk factors for sleep apnea include obesity, smoking, heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and family history.
Not at all. Although it's normal for physicians to recommend that their patients visit our practice for screening, it's not required. We can perform sleep apnea screenings at any time, regardless of whether you've been referred to our office or not.
Your Place for Sleep Apnea Screening in Dexter
At Fifth Street Dental Care, we're passionate about helping you get the answers you need through extensive sleep apnea screening. No matter the severity of your sleep apnea, we'll work with you to get the treatment you need to lead a comfortable and healthy life. Call our knowledgeable Dexter sleep apnea team today to schedule your next sleep apnea screening!
CALL US: (734) 426-2220 REQUEST APPOINTMENT