A sleep dentist is a dental professional who specializes in the treatment of sleep breathing disorders, such as loud snoring and sleep apnea, with oral appliances. In Houston, sleep apnea dentists trained in this field collaborate with other physicians to diagnose and provide the best treatment plan to address a patient’s sleep disorder.
Sleep dentists play a key role in diagnosing and helping patients suffering from sleep-related breathing disorders. Sleep dentists are equipped with the knowledge and training to diagnose a patient’s sleep disorder. A sleep dentist will start by taking x-ray images of the patient’s mouth and neck. The images will help the dentist identify any blockage in the airway or abnormally large tissues in the throat. The sleep dentist may also perform a hands-on examination to find out the cause of obstructing breathing.
By identifying symptoms, a sleep dentist will refer the patients to the appropriate doctor or physician. Following a hands-on physical examination, diagnosis, and sleep test, the sleep dentist can determine if an oral appliance could be an effective treatment solution.
Who Should Visit a Sleep Dentist?
If you are grinding your teeth at night, or you suspect to have a snoring issue or sleep apnea, you can visit our Houston sleep dentist for advice and insight.
People with Snoring Issues
Surely everyone snores from time to time. Not all snores are associated with sleep disorders. Random snoring can be caused due to stuffy noses from colds or other illnesses. However, chronic snoring may be much more than a common bedtime nuisance.
If you are snoring every night, it could be a warning sign that your upper airway is obstructed. This prevents you from getting enough airflow through your mouth or nose. This can cause poor sleep, and it can also lead to additional health concerns. If you are having a noisy sleep every night, you should visit a sleep dentist who specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
People with Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders affecting thousands of people. It is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly pauses before restarting during sleep. A sleep dentist can help control this issue by prescribing a mouth guard or another appliance to help keep the airways open for uninterrupted breathing.
People with Severe Teeth Grinding
If you have pain in your jaw or mouth from grinding your teeth, consider visiting a sleep dentist. Frequent sleep bruxism can be severe enough to cause jaw disorders, headaches, tooth damage and harm to your health. By identifying the cause of your teeth grinding and whether it occurs alongside other conditions, such as sleep apnea, your sleep dentist can help improve the condition to prevent more serious issues.
A good night’s sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. If you are having trouble breathing at night and getting a sound sleep, oral issues could be the culprit. Contact our Houston sleep dentist to discuss your challenges so we can help you sleep soundly again.
At Samuel E. Cress, DDS, we focus on the treatment of sleep apnea with oral appliances. We will also work closely with you to make sure you are fully educated on caring for your dental appliance for the best result.
