There’s no question that snoring is often joked about as an annoying, subconscious habit. While snoring is often dismissed as harmless, it can sometimes indicate a more serious condition – sleep apnea. At Brian Homann, DDS, our practice in Schaumburg, Illinois, understands that sleep apnea is not just about disruptive snoring; it can pose genuine risks to your health. We are dedicated to providing expert sleep apnea treatments tailored to the unique needs of our clients.
Understanding The Basics Of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing interruptions during sleep. These can last for a few seconds at a time and up to several minutes in other instances. Episodes of sleep apnea may happen multiple times throughout the night. The two common types of sleep apnea include obstructive and central sleep apnea.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the more common type. It occurs when the throat muscles relax too much, leading to a blockage.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Less common, this type involves a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles controlling breathing.
At Brian Homann, DDS, we can work with a team of physicians to help treat OSA, ensuring our clients enjoy uninterrupted, restful sleep.
What Causes Someone To Develop Sleep Apnea
Understanding what causes sleep apnea is essential for effective treatment. Common factors include:
- Excess Weight: Being overweight or obese raises the risk due to fatty deposits around the jawline, chin, and neck.
- Neck Circumference: A thicker neck can mean a narrower airway, increasing the risk of obstruction.
- Family History: Genetics can contribute to the likelihood of developing sleep apnea.
- Gender: Men are more prone, but the risk increases for overweight women and during pregnancy.
- Smoking: Smokers face a higher risk compared to non-smokers.
At Brian Homann, DDS, we focus on uncovering the root causes of sleep apnea, and tailoring treatments for each individual to promote better sleep and overall health.
How We Can Help
If you’re searching for someone who can help treat your sleep apnea, look no further than Brian Homann, DDS. As a sleep apnea dentist* In Schaumburg, his team is dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized sleep apnea treatment options. Our approach includes:
- Thorough Evaluation: We conduct a comprehensive examination, including a detailed sleep history, and collaborate with sleep specialists for sleep studies. Regardless of whether you’re facing treated or untreated sleep apnea, our evaluation will provide you with solutions that can help.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the diagnosis, we create individualized treatment plans that can include oral sleep apnea appliances. Not only can these mouthguards protect your oral health from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, but they could also potentially alleviate other sleep apnea symptoms affecting your blood pressure and oxygen levels. If sleep apnea is not present, our office offers custom, as well as semi-custom mouthguards known as a CustMbite, to help prevent tooth damage during the night.
- Patient Education: We believe in empowering our clients who suffer from sleep apnea with knowledge. We educate you about the importance of treatment compliance and how other lifestyle modifications can contribute to better sleep.
- Regular Follow-ups: To ensure the effectiveness of the chosen treatment, we schedule regular follow-ups to monitor and make adjustments as needed.
Discover Our Sleep Dentist in Schaumburg, IL
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea in Schaumburg, IL, don’t ignore the signs. At Brian Homann, DDS, we are committed to helping you achieve better sleep and overall well-being. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced sleep dentist in Schaumburg, IL. Transform your nights, transform your life.
*Sleep Apnea Dentistry is not a recognized specialty by the American Dental Association and nothing in the post is meant to be interpreted as a specialization.