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Sleep Apnea

Comprehensive Family Dentistry located in Grandview College area, Des Moines, IA

Sleep Apnea services offered in Grandview College area, Des Moines, IA

Sleep apnea interferes with normal sleep patterns, robbing you of the air you need to thrive. At Ballpark Heights Family Dental in Des Moines, Iowa, Scott McPherson, DDS, offers customized treatment for sleep apnea, helping you rest easily at night. To schedule an appointment, call the office or request one online today.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which you temporarily stop breathing multiple times each night. It can cause dire health outcomes and is often undiagnosed for years before sufferers finally seek help. 

Obstructive sleep apnea

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea; this develops when the muscles in your throat relax so much during sleep they partially block airflow. Being overweight or obese dramatically increases your risk of obstructive sleep apnea. 

Central sleep apnea

In rare instances, there can be a problem in the communication between your body and brain, which leads to troubled breathing during sleep. Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of central sleep apnea. 

Complex sleep apnea

This condition is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. 

Determining which type of sleep apnea you’re dealing with is the first step in getting treatment. 

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Knowing what to look for can help make it easier to know when to seek treatment for sleep apnea. Some of the signs you might have this condition include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Headache upon waking
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability
  • Problems maintaining focus or concentration during the day
  • Gasping for breath during the night

In many cases, it’s your sleep partner who first notices the signs of sleep apnea. Frequent breathing interruptions, gasping for breath, and snoring can prevent your loved one from getting a restful night’s sleep. 

What kinds of treatments can help with sleep apnea?

For many years, the primary treatment for sleep apnea was continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. This process involves using a machine to create a steady flow of air through the tubing and into a mask you wear during sleep. 

While effective, many people find CPAP devices to be uncomfortable and unwieldy. If you change positions frequently during the night, it’s easy to get tangled up in the tubing. 

Oral appliances offer a different way to treat sleep apnea. These devices fit over the surface of your teeth and make a small adjustment in how you hold your jaw during sleep. That adjustment improves your airway, allowing better flow throughout the night. 

Oral appliances are highly customized. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to the feel of the device at night, but before long, wearing the appliance will become just another part of your bedtime routine. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, call Ballpark Heights Family Dental or request an appointment online today. 

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Ballpark Heights Dental. Our team of skilled clinicians follow a comprehensive approach to ensure that every new and returning patient is given personalized care and quality dental services. We are interested in you not just your teeth and want to ensure each trip to the dentist is as comfortable and stress free as possible. We offer all the treatments that you would expect from a family dentist plus we have a particular interest in the following:
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Ballpark Heights Family Dental
✆ Phone (appointments): 515-265-3796

Address: 2601 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
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