Cochran Dental Care
7283 Carnelian St.
Alta Loma, CA 91701
909.987.6268
Snoring/ Sleep Apnea
Cochran Dental Care
Sleep apnea is a medical condition where one stops breathing during sleep. It might seem surprising to regard that as a dental problem. At Cochran Dental Care in Alta Loma, California, we will discuss this condition with you and refer you to a doctor for a complete diagnosis and treatment. It is fairly common, but also difficult to self-diagnose. The National Institute of Health estimates that more than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, yet often it goes undetected or is misdiagnosed.
Often, the person suffering from sleep apnea isn’t aware of just how much they wake up during the night, or how often they actually stop breathing while they’re asleep.
Usually the person most aware that there is a problem is the sufferer’s bedmate. Excessive snoring, breathing cessation and excessive body movement are the three most common symptoms.
Three types of sleep apnea
1. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an airway blockage that occurs because of a genetic deformity affecting the organs in the back of the throat.
2. Central sleep apnea presents itself when the muscles responsible for breathing are unable to move due to the failure of the brain signal that triggers their action.
3. Mixed sleep apnea is diagnosed when both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea are present.
What can be done to alleviate sleep apnea?
There are a few categories of effective treatments. They are
- Weight loss
- Surgery
- Smoking cessation
- Dental appliances
- Breathing-assistance devices
Dr. Cochran can help set you on the right path for treatment by diagnosing any jaw and mouth alignment problems which may be causing your sleep apnea. He can also help you with an oral device or other dental treatments he feels will alleviate your problem.
Learn more about Snoring/Sleep Apnea
As an Alumnus of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), Dr. Cochran is specifically trained to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you suspect you suffer from it, an initial consultation is a great place to start. If your sleep apnea is caused by a problem related to your bone structure, he can help. If it has some other cause, he can help diagnose that and refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. Untreated sleep apnea may affect your well-being and your quality of life. Contact us today for an initial consultation.
Cochran Dental Care
7283 Carnelian St.
Alta Loma, CA 91701
