If you snore at night, you could be at risk of developing sleep apnea. Dr. Joseph Catanzano treats sleep apnea in his Washington, D.C. office, Foxhall Smiles. Sleep apnea can be difficult to diagnose since 90% of people who have sleep apnea don’t know that they have it. Although patients may find it hard to breathe during the night, they may not have any recollection of struggling for breath. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. OSA occurs when soft tissues in the mouth relax. These tissues collapse towards the back of the throat, temporarily blocking the airway. Cutting the flow of oxygen off to vital organs is highly dangerous. However, Dr. Catanzano and his team offer oral appliance therapy to patients at Foxhall Smiles.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Be aware of these common symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Consistent, loud snoring
- Waking up to breathe
- Headaches that arise in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Feeling excessively tired during the day
- Sleeping with an open mouth
Treating Sleep Apnea
The dental team at Foxhall Smiles treats mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea with an oral appliance. Custom oral appliances are custom fit to your exact measurements. We will take a dental impression of teeth to ensure that your oral appliance fits comfortably. This solution opens up the airways and prevents the soft tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing. Oral appliance therapy stops snoring and treats sleep apnea reliving morning headaches and chronic fatigue. This option is a more comfortable alternative to bulky CPAP machines. They also offer higher compliance rates because they are easy to wear and fit easily in a case for easy carry on travel.
Call Our Office Today
Address sleep apnea at the source. Call Foxhall Smiles today at 202-315-2188. You can also schedule an appointment with Dr. Catanzano on our website.