Sleep Specialist In La Grange, IL

An Introduction to Sleep Health Dentistry

A good night’s sleep is extremely important. Maintaining sleep throughout four to six sleep cycles helps ensure optimal health. What happens when we don’t get enough sleep? Serious health issues such as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and weight gain may result from the lack of quality sleep. A sleep specialist in La Grange, IL can help!

Airway obstruction can disrupt sleep. Conditions that contribute to airway obstruction include age, weight, genetics, crowded teeth or other oral conditions that create a lack of space for the tongue. Dentists are in a unique position to recognize some of the signs and symptoms related to sleep health.

Airway Impairment and Sleep Dentistry

Airway obstruction causes health conditions ranging from snoring to severe sleep apnea, a serious disorder in which breathing stops and starts many times while you slumber. Sleep dentists and sleep apnea specialists help those suffering from airway issues by recommending a dental appliance for snoring, a dental appliance for sleep apnea or even a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Dr. Wallace Provides Sleep Health Treatment

Would a dental device for snoring meet your needs, or do you require a CPAP machine? After you undergo a sleep study, our team is in a position to formulate a proper and personalized treatment plan.

Severe sleep apnea is best handled by a CPAP machine. The machine delivers pressurized air through the patient’s airway to keep it from collapsing, thus eliminating the symptoms of sleep apnea. However, some people simply cannot or do not want to use a CPAP machine or they suffer from only mild symptoms. For snoring and mild sleep apnea, a dental appliance is custom-fit to reposition the jaw to maintain an open airway. This type of device is particularly effective if a tongue issue or excess throat tissue is causing your sleep problem.

Regardless of which one you use — a dental device for sleep apnea or a CPAP machine — these therapies result in improved sleep health due to better breathing and fewer instances of disturbed sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cause of snoring?

Snoring occurs when the muscles in the airway relax so much during sleep that it causes the airway to narrow. This causes intense vibrations of the tissues in the upper airway during breathing that are heard as snores.  Many factors can contribute to having a narrow airway that causes snoring such as; lack of muscle tone in soft palate and upper pharynx, large tonsils or excess fat deposits in your throat area. People who are overweight, drink alcohol or have a deviated septum are also at an increased risk for snoring. 

Can snoring be cured?

It is possible to treat snoring symptoms. Simple lifestyle changes, including weight loss, sleeping on your side, limiting alcohol before bed, sleeping with your head elevated and quitting smoking can help eliminate snoring. When these strategies aren’t successful, it is important that you seek help from a professional. In some cases, a mouthguard or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device can be used to help keep breathing passages open while you sleep.

How do dentists help with snoring?

If you snore, talk to Dr. Wallace about your symptoms. Based on an evaluation of your condition, your dentist will recommend a course of treatment that may include one or a combination of the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Dental device for snoring
• CPAP
• Sleep study

Can a mouthguard for snoring help?

If you snore, a custom-made mouthguard may help reduce your snoring during sleep. These mouth appliances work similarly to the mouthguards used for sleep apnea and keep your airway open during sleep by pulling your lower jaw forward.

Does snoring always mean sleep apnea?

You can snore without having sleep apnea. However, the two often go together. If your snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you may need to be evaluated by a sleep apnea specialist:

• Loud, disruptive snoring
• Breathing pauses during sleep, usually noticed by bed partner
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Headaches in the morning

How do I know if I have sleep apnea or just snoring?

If you snore or suspect sleep apnea, it is best to talk to a sleep specialist in La Grange, IL. Dr. Wallace is specially trained in sleep treatment and works with patients to find the best treatment plan for their snoring and sleep apnea issues.