Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment at Brentwood Family Dental in CA

Dentist in Brentwood, CA, describes obstructive sleep apnea symptoms and effective treatment

Posted By Dr. Jamil Alkhoury

Patients in the Brentwood, CA, area who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea might be interested in learning that their dentist may be able to provide effective treatments. Dr. Jamil Alkhoury provides patients with oral appliance therapy as a treatment for this condition. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea so you can identify the signs of a serious problem!

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that affects up to 18 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. The condition, which is often characterized by chronic snoring, is more than just an audible problem – it can cause patients to experience a variety of issues. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, may include:

Poor sleeping
Waking up not feeling rested
Snoring
Daytime fatigue
Insomnia
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Weight concerns
Frequent headaches
Dry mouth in the morning
Poor concentration
Poor memory

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If you are plagued by the above symptoms, you may have obstructive sleep apnea.

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea

To diagnose this condition, patients must first start with an evaluation with their dentist. Dr. Jamil Alkhoury of Brentwood Family Dental will speak to patients about their concerns regarding their inability to get a good night's sleep. We will ask about one's medical history and may refer patients to their primary care physician to undergo a sleep study. This is sometimes done in a sleep clinic or at home and is a way for the doctor to monitor the quality of sleep. This can also help in getting an accurate diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, during which the airways are blocked, and patients awaken sometimes hundreds of times in one night. This leads to poor sleep quality that can leave men and women dragging through their days, greatly impacting their overall quality of life.

What are the effects of obstructive sleep apnea?

The condition is a serious disorder that often causes a stop in airflow. It may be caused by the collapse of the tongue and soft palate near the back of the throat. The patient's oxygen levels will drop, and the brain does not reach the deep sleep needed. The patient may gasp and awaken, breathe again, and then go back to sleep. Episodes can last anywhere from ten seconds to three minutes and cycle throughout the night. Because the patient is deprived of oxygen throughout the night, it can put tremendous strain on the patient's heart and body over time.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

When patients visit their primary care physician and receive a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP treatment may be recommended. This is a machine that includes a mask that patients wear when they sleep to open the airway with air pressure. While helpful and effective at treating obstructive sleep apnea, this device can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for many. Instead, the team at Brentwood Family Dental may encourage patients to consider using a small, custom-fit mouthpiece (oral appliance). This device can help in repositioning the jaw and holding down the tongue, keeping airways open through the night. This oral appliance can be a life-changing treatment for patients who are then able to wake up every day refreshed and energized with their effective treatment. Oral appliances are simple to wear, easy to care for, and comfortable to use, making them a more desirable choice than CPAPs for many of our patients.

Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and effective treatment with your dentist

Image of Couple suffering from Sleep Apnea

Call Dr. Jamil Alkhoury of Brentwood Family Dental in Brentwood, CA, to learn more about this and other conditions that can be improved with oral appliance therapy. Our professional is here to provide patients with the solutions they need to feel their best every day! Connect with us by calling 925-344-5296 and visit the practice, conveniently located at 4411 Balfour Road, Suite C. New and current patients can seek general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry all under one roof!

Dr. Jamil Alkhoury
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Dr Jamil Alkhoury believes dentists to be artists. Taking care of another person’s teeth is definitely an art in which Dr Jamil Alkhoury is an expert. Having graduated from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) with a degree in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, he has always focused on the well-being of his patients. Brentwood family dental headed by Dr Jamil Alkhoury offers a wide range of services. He always keeps in touch with the developments in the field, to serve his purpose to the best of his abilities.

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