Can a Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea?

People with sleep apnea stop breathing during their sleep. Left untreated, the condition can lead to severe levels of fatigue and even health problems like high blood pressure or liver troubles.

If you suspect you have the sleep disorder, it’s very important to get an official diagnosis and seek sleep apnea treatment in Southington.

But can a dentist diagnose your sleep apnea? Keep reading to find out:
How Dentists Can Help Sleep Apnea Patients

Dentists cannot diagnose sleep apnea, but they can help patients access several effective ways to manage their condition.

Officially, sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by a sleep disorder specialist after a thorough examination and a handful of tests. Your Southington dentist may notice the signs of sleep apnea and refer you to a specialist.
Why Seeing a Sleep Specialist Is Important

Common symptoms of sleep apnea can include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Morning migraines
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Daytime drowsiness
• Fatigue, etc.

Though these symptoms are often indicative of sleep apnea, they can also point to other sleep disorders or medical issues.

Snoring is a sign of this disorder, but it could also indicate a nasal obstruction. It’s why you’re more likely to snore when your nose is congested, as you’ll be breathing through your mouth.

Seeing a sleep disorder specialist will allow you to get a definitive diagnosis and, therefore, the right treatment.
I Have a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis. Now What?

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. But there are many ways to effectively manage it.

A specialist may recommend several lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or stopping smoking.

Dr. Neil Salesky can also help you access additional ways to manage this condition, such as:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine: This device helps deliver air through a mask covering your nose. The flow is gentle and will ensure you don’t stop breathing during your sleep.
• Dental appliances: Custom-fit mouthguards can also help manage this sleeping disorder by keeping your airway open while asleep. Other appliances can control your tongue position to ensure it doesn’t block the airway.

Dr. Salesky also helps counsel patients with sleep apnea on how to control their condition and live a healthy and happy life in spite of it.

If you don’t have a diagnosis yet, Dr. Salesky can help determine if you have the common symptoms and refer you to a specialist. 

Access Sleep Apnea Treatment at Southington Dentistry 

Dr. Neil Salesky is here to help you stop sleep apnea from affecting your sleep and your overall health.

If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, schedule a consultation at Southington Dentistry online and stop by to discover your options.

Want to learn more about our sleep apnea treatments? Then call us at (860) 628-5029 today! We’d love to answer all your questions.