What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. The most noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.

Recognizing the Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is often difficult to diagnose because most of its common symptoms occur during sleep. It’s crucial to be aware of these signs and seek professional help if you experience several of them frequently. We urge you to pay attention to the following symptoms:

1. Loud and Chronic Snoring: This is the most common symptom of sleep apnea. It’s important to note that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, if your snoring is paired with gasping or choking sounds, it could indicate this sleep disorder.

2. Exhaustion After a Full Night’s Sleep: Individuals with sleep apnea often wake up feeling tired, despite sleeping for an appropriate amount of time. This can be due to the disruption in the sleep cycle caused by apnea episodes.

3. Daytime Fatigue or Sleepiness: This symptom is a direct result of interrupted sleep at night. If you find yourself excessively sleepy or fatigued during the day, sleep apnea might be the culprit.

4. Difficulty Concentrating: Frequent disruptions in sleep can lead to difficulty with focus and concentration during daytime hours.

5. Morning Headaches: These are often a result of reduced oxygen levels in the blood during apnea episodes, which can cause dilated blood vessels and subsequently result in a headache.

6. Frequent Night-time Urination (Nocturia): This is a lesser-known symptom but can also be an indicator of sleep apnea.

7. Depression or Mood Changes: Sleep deprivation, a common occurrence in sleep apnea patients, can lead to feelings of depression, irritability, or other mood changes.

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek professional assistance. 

How We Identify Sleep Apnea

At DeSoto Family Dentistry, we follow a systematic approach to diagnosing sleep apnea. Dr. Varkey begins with a comprehensive review of your medical history and a discussion of your symptoms. This initial evaluation may involve a simple, yet critical questionnaire about sleep habits, quality of sleep, and daytime sleepiness.

Following this, Dr. Varkey conducts a thorough oral examination. He checks the mouth, throat, and teeth for any abnormalities or physical factors that could contribute to sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils or a recessed jaw that might obstruct the airway during sleep. He will also look for signs of bruxism, worn-down dental work, and a wide neck circumference.

If sleep apnea is suspected based on the clinical evaluation, patients are typically referred for a sleep study, which is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. Unlike traditional sleep studies, Dr. Varkey provides an at-home sleep study kit so you can take the test in the comfort of your own home. The sleep study monitors various functions during sleep including heart rate and oxygen levels in the blood. This comprehensive test can accurately determine the presence and severity of sleep apnea.

After a diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Varkey takes a collaborative approach by consulting with sleep medicine specialists and your physician to develop a personalized sleep apnea treatment plan. The objective is always to alleviate symptoms, improve sleep quality, and prevent the potential health complications associated with untreated sleep apnea. 

Importance of Treating Sleep Apnea

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to various health complications such as:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart problems
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD

It also results in poor sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and decreased productivity. As such, treating sleep apnea is crucial not just for the quality of your sleep, but also for your overall health.

Oral Sleep Appliances

As a leading expert in sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Varkey employs various dental solutions to help patients breathe easily and sleep better. These include oral appliance therapy, in which a device is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the airway from collapsing by holding the tongue in position or sliding the patient’s jaw forward to open up the airway.

Unlike CPAP equipment that forces air into your lungs, an oral sleep appliance opens your airway naturally. When you wear your oral sleep apnea appliance, there’s no bulky equipment to get in the way of a restful night’s sleep. Instead, you can breathe normally and see an improvement in your sleep quality as quickly as the very first night you use your device.

As a leading expert in sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Varkey employs various dental solutions to help patients breathe easily and sleep better. These include oral appliance therapy, in which a device is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the airway from collapsing by holding the tongue in position or sliding the patient’s jaw forward to open up the airway.

Advantages of Oral Sleep Apnea Appliances

• Discreet
• Quiet
• Doesn’t bother others around you
• Easy to travel with
• Can be combined with CPAP
• Ideal for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• May eliminate the need for a CPAP

Why Choose DeSoto Family Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Varkey is personally invested in your sleep apnea treatment because his very own family was deeply affected by this common sleep disorder. Dr. Varkey lost his dad to a heart attack linked to untreated sleep apnea, so he is dedicated to finding solutions that will restore your health and sleep quality.  

Our sleep apnea treatment in DeSoto, TX is tailored to meet your unique needs, ensuring an effective, comfortable solution. Dr. Varkey will work closely with your specialist physician to determine the best course of action for your case. 

Common Questions about Sleep Apnea Treatment 

Q: What symptoms suggest that I may need sleep apnea treatment?

A: Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, attention problems, and irritability.

Q: How can a dentist help with sleep apnea?

A: A dentist, like Dr. Varkey, who is trained in sleep medicine can provide oral appliance therapy. This therapy involves custom-fitted oral devices that help keep the airway open during sleep, hence reducing sleep apnea symptoms. You can read more about how dentists can screen for sleep apnea here.

Q: Is oral appliance therapy comfortable?

A: Yes, oral appliance therapy is comfortable. The devices are custom-made to fit your mouth and should not cause discomfort.

Q: How soon can I expect results from the treatment?

A: Results from sleep apnea treatment can often be noticed within a few days to a week of starting therapy. However, the exact timeframe can vary from person to person.

Q: Are there any side effects of oral appliance therapy?

Side effects are generally minor and temporary. They may include excessive salivation, dry mouth, or mild discomfort.

Q: Does insurance cover sleep apnea treatment?

A: Many insurance plans do cover sleep apnea treatment. We recommend checking with your insurance provider for the specifics of your coverage.

Get Help for Sleep Apnea in Desoto, TX

If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Varkey at DeSoto Family Dentistry. We are committed to providing the best sleep apnea treatment in town and helping our patients lead healthier, happier lives.

What Is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

Although often used interchangeably, TMJ and TMD are not technically the same, even though they are indeed related. The temporomandibular joint, TMJ, acts like a hinge that slides in your mouth and connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ is the actual part of the body. TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorders, defines the actual problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMD can cause pain in those muscles that control jaw movement and your jaw joint. 

Because the terms are often used interchangeably, one can assume that TMJ and TMD refer to the same thing – a disorder in the jaw joint that leads to pain and discomfort.

While more people know it as TMJ vs. TMD, that is how we will refer to it going forward in addressing your TMJ questions.

If you think you might have TMJ, schedule an appointment with Dr. Praveen Varkey. He will happily discuss the treatment process that is best for you.

What Causes TMJ? 

The exact causes of TMJ  have not been discovered; however, dental professionals believe that symptoms arise from various issues with your jaw muscles or with parts of the joint area itself. 

If you have had an injury to your jaw, jaw joint, or the muscles surrounding your neck and head, such as a heavy object blow or whiplash, this can lead to TMJ.

Other causes of TMJ include:

• Movement of the soft disc between the socket and ball of the jaw joint
• Clenching or grinding your teeth causes pressure on the joint
• Stress which causes clenching
• Arthritis of your joint
• Stress and anxiety that leads to clenching and grinding

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

TMJ can cause severe discomfort and pain, and it can be temporary or last for a few years. It can also affect either one or both sides of the face. It is most common among people aged 20 to 40, and studies suggest that it occurs mainly in women than men.

TMJ symptoms include:

• Tenderness or pain in your jaw joint area, face, neck, and shoulders, 
• Pain around your ear when you speak or chew
• Lock or stuck jaw when in the open-or closed-mouth position
• Fatigue feeling in your face
• Headaches
• Popping, grating, or clicking sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This might not be painful.
• Swelling on your face
• Uncomfortable bite or trouble with chewing. This might feel like your teeth do not fit together correctly.
• Problems with opening/closing mouth
• Toothaches

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

Dr. Praveen Varkey will conduct a physical exam and talk to you about your medical health history to figure out if you have TMJ or not. Many other conditions cause similar symptoms to TMJ symptoms, such as sinus issues, arthritis, and tooth decay, so it’s important to see a professional to address the root problem. 

Dr. Praveen Varkey will check your jaw joints for tenderness or pain and listen for pops, clicks, or grating sounds when you move them. They will also ensure that your jaw works well and doesn’t lock when you close or open your mouth. They will also check for issues with your facial muscles by testing your bite.

You may require a full facial X-ray so that Dr. Varkey can better view your temporomandibular joints, jaws, and teeth to rule out any other potential oral problems. Other tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) may also be required. 

If your TMD is severe, Dr. Varkey may need to refer you to an oral surgeon (maxillofacial surgeon) for further treatment and care. This type of surgeon specializes in surgery in and around the entire face, jaw area, and mouth.

At-Home Remedies for TMJ 

Treatments for TMJ can cause pain relief, and there are various treatments you can do at home to relieve some of the TMJ symptoms. Dr. Varkey may suggest that you try some of these remedies together before seeking further medical help:

• Heat or cold packs to soothe the painful area
• Over-the-counter medications
• Eat soft foods
• Don’t rest your chin on your hand
• Keep your teet apart slightly
• Avoid extreme jaw movements
• Learn jaw relaxation techniques

Treatment for TMJ in Desoto

Apart from self-care treatments for TMJ, Dr. Varkey may also recommend the following treatments that can be done at our dental practice in Desoto:

• Medications such as NSAIDs (anti-anxiety, anti-depressants) that are only available by prescription but can help ease stress which relives jaw clenching
• Dental work such as braces or overbite correction surgery
• A splint or night guard
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Low-level laser therapy
• Trigger point injections
• Deep heat ultrasound
• Radio wave therapy
• TMJ Surgery

Botox for TMJ

Botox treatment for TMJ can be highly effective. Botox treatments have been found to significantly decrease pain and increase mouth movements for three months following the treatment. Another study found that TMJ symptoms improved in 90% of participants with TMJ.

If you would like to consider botox to treat your TMJ symptoms, Dr. Varkey will happily assist you with any questions you might have.

Get TMJ Treatment in Desoto Today

If you would like to learn more about TMJ treatment in Desoto, please schedule a consultation today or give us a call. Our compassionate and experienced team will happily assist you.