Sleep Apnea

Available at our Brandywine, DE Dental Office Location

In addition to general and cosmetic dentistry, Dental Associates of Delaware’s Brandywine (Wilmington, DE) office also provides treatment for patients who suffer from snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? Are you tired and drowsy during the day for no reason? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may benefit from the sleep apnea and snoring treatments that our doctors offer at our Brandywine office.

Our doctors have been trained in repositioning the jaw to help the patient breathe better and easier. They work closely with other specialists such as pulmonologists and ENTs. This team effort helps the patients who suffer from sleep apnea sleep soundly and healthy again.

What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea affects nearly the same number of people as does asthma and diabetes. Unlike those other conditions it usually goes undiagnosed and worse, untreated. Sleep Apnea affects not only the quantity of sleep, but the quality of sleep. Poor sleep can lead to a host of concerns such as daytime fatigue and irritability; it can contribute to high blood pressure and other health risks. Sleep apnea is actually the inability to breathe during sleep. This puts the body in a “shock” mode where it can put stresses on other body systems such as the heart.

How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

There are many different symptoms that can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. These symptoms include:

Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

Loud snoring at night

Waking up at night short of breath

Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)

Headaches upon waking in the morning

Falling asleep unintentionally during the day

Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our office for a consultation.

What Kinds Of Treatments Can Help With Sleep Apnea?

For some people, simple changes to the daily lifestyle like losing weight, developing better sleeping habits, avoiding alcohol or sleep medications at bedtime can cure and prevent sleep apnea. However, other people might require the use of an oral appliance such as a snore guard.

Snore Guard Appliance

Side view of sleep apnea appliance
Side view of sleep apnea appliance

Our doctors will work with you to develop the best form of treatment. Our custom snore guards are similar to athletic mouth guards, but are worn while sleeping. They hold the lower jaw in a forward position to prevent it from falling open in the middle of the night, causing the airway to become blocked. The snore guard will create and maintain a clear airway to reduce snoring, improve breathing and reduce the health risks associated with sleep apnea.

Contact Us!

Contact our Brandywine, DE dental office today if you believe that you or a loved one is currently suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or is displaying any of the symptoms described above. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all or would like to schedule an appointment!