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Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea services offered in Rancho Shopping Center, Los Altos, CA

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can threaten your overall health and wellness. Finding relief is important and is possible through the care of Sheena Vaswani, DDS, and the team at Los Altos Family Smiles in Los Altos, California. If you or a loved one is experiencing sleep apnea, call or click to schedule a visit today.


What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition that robs you of your ability to get a proper night's rest. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea develops when the muscles in your airways relax during sleep. This prevents normal airflow, causing your body to react by partially awakening many times each night as you try to take in additional air. Central sleep apnea is far less common and occurs due to a communication problem between the body and brain.

What are some signs I might have sleep apnea?

Loud snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea. Additional indications you may be experiencing this condition include:

  • Dry mouth upon waking
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Difficulty concentrating during the day
  • Irritability

Very often, your sleep partner is the first to notice something is amiss. People with sleep apnea tend to partially awaken numerous times throughout the night, often gasping for air. This can be very disruptive to your partner and can interfere with their ability to get a good night's rest. 

What can be done to treat sleep apnea?

One of the best ways to treat sleep apnea is by wearing a device called a night guard. This custom dental appliance fits between your teeth during sleep.

It moves your lower jaw slightly forward, which helps maintain an open airway throughout the night. It can take a few nights to get used to the feel of wearing the device, but before long, putting in your dental appliance will be just another part of your bedtime routine. 

There are a number of products available in stores and online that promise to treat sleep apnea. Over-the-counter dental appliances cannot match the comfort and efficacy of a customized nightguard.

Treating sleep apnea should be a top priority. Research indicates that sleep apnea increases your risk of numerous serious health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and more.

When you’re ready to improve your sleep quality, book a visit at Los Altos Family Smiles using the simple online tool. You can also reach the office by phone to schedule a visit.