What Is Sleep Apnea—and Can a Dentist Really Help?

Waking up feeling exhausted every day isn’t normal, even if you went to bed early. If your partner complains about your loud snoring or you find yourself dozing off during meetings or long drives, it might be more than poor sleep habits. You could be dealing with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a serious but often overlooked condition that affects your ability to breathe properly while sleeping. And while most people think of it as a medical issue managed by physicians, dentists now play an essential role in sleep apnea treatment, especially when it comes to comfortable, non-CPAP options.

Sleep Apnea: The Basics

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. These interruptions, called apneas, can last several seconds and occur dozens to hundreds of times per night. When this happens, your brain briefly wakes you up just enough to resume breathing, often without realizing it.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form. It occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway.

• Central Sleep Apnea: Caused by your brain failing to send the right signals to the breathing muscles.

• Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnea: A combination of obstructive and central types.

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea that dentists can help manage. It involves physical airway obstruction, often related to jaw position, tongue placement, and soft tissue in the throat.

Common Symptoms

Sleep apnea is tricky. You may not even know you have it unless someone hears your snoring or notices you stop breathing during the night. Still, some signs might suggest it’s a concern:

• Loud, chronic snoring

• Waking up gasping for air

• Morning headaches

• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

• Daytime sleepiness

• Irritability or mood swings

• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to look deeper.

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Ignoring sleep apnea can lead to more than fatigue. It increases your risk for:

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Stroke

• Obesity

• Depression

• Reduced immune function

• Drowsy driving accidents

The longer it goes untreated, the more serious the complications. But here’s the good news: sleep apnea is treatable, and dentists are now frontline providers for many patients, especially those with mild to moderate cases.

How Dentists Play a Role in Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dentists are uniquely trained to understand oral and airway anatomy. That’s why they’re increasingly involved in diagnosing and managing obstructive sleep apnea.

Screening for Sleep Apnea

During a routine dental exam, your dentist might notice signs that suggest sleep-disordered breathing. These can include:

• Scalloped or enlarged tongue

• Worn or cracked teeth from grinding

• A narrow arch or high palate

• Jaw misalignment

• Reports of dry mouth or morning headaches

If sleep apnea is suspected, the dentist can refer you for a sleep study or collaborate with a sleep physician. Some dental practices even offer home sleep testing.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)

One of the most popular alternatives to CPAP machines is oral appliance therapy. This involves wearing a custom-fitted device during sleep that repositions your jaw and/or tongue to keep the airway open.

These appliances are:

• Small, portable, and travel-friendly

• Quiet (unlike CPAP machines)

• Comfortable after a short adjustment period

• Easy to clean

• Often covered by medical insurance

Oral appliances are ideal for patients with mild to moderate OSA or those who can’t tolerate CPAP. They’re also used alongside CPAP for combination therapy.

Customization Is Key

Every oral appliance is custom-fitted using impressions or digital scans of your teeth. Your dentist adjusts the appliance to your specific bite and airway needs, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.

Follow-up is essential. The dentist will check your progress, adjust the appliance if needed, and may work with a sleep physician to confirm your results through repeat sleep testing.

CPAP vs. Oral Appliance Therapy

CPAP remains the gold standard for severe sleep apnea (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). It works by keeping your airway open with a steady stream of air through a mask.

However, many patients find CPAP bulky, noisy, and hard to stick with. In fact, studies show compliance rates as low as 50%. That’s where dentists come in. Oral appliances offer a quiet, noninvasive alternative that many patients find easier to use long term.

How to Get Started with Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you think you might have sleep apnea, don’t wait. Start by speaking with your dentist or physician. A proper diagnosis usually involves a sleep study, done either at a lab or at home with portable equipment.

Once diagnosed, your provider can help you explore treatment options based on your needs, severity, and lifestyle. If an oral appliance is a good fit, your dentist will begin fitting and monitoring your device.

Lifestyle Tips That Support Your Sleep Apnea Treatment

While oral appliances and medical therapy play a major role in managing sleep apnea, your daily habits also influence how well you sleep, and how effective treatment will be. Small lifestyle changes can complement your dental care and help reduce apnea episodes.

1. Sleep Position Matters

Sleeping on your back can worsen sleep apnea. Gravity causes the tongue and soft palate to fall backward, narrowing the airway. Try sleeping on your side instead. Some patients find that elevating their head slightly with a wedge pillow also improves airflow and reduces snoring.

2. Weight Management

Carrying extra weight—especially around the neck—can compress your airway during sleep. Even modest weight loss has been shown to reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Pairing treatment with a nutrition and exercise plan may improve outcomes and reduce your dependency on devices.

3. Limit Alcohol and Sedatives

Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, increasing the risk of airway blockage. The same goes for certain sedatives and muscle relaxants. Avoid drinking alcohol close to bedtime, and talk to your healthcare provider if you take medications that affect your sleep patterns.

4. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day—even on weekends—helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Good sleep hygiene promotes deeper, more restorative sleep and can improve your overall treatment results.

Are You Considering Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Sleep apnea might be silent at night, but its effects are loud and clear during the day. Fatigue, mood swings, and long-term health risks don’t have to be your norm.

At Middleburg Smiles, we specialize in sleep apnea treatment through oral appliance therapy. Our team is trained to evaluate your airway, fit custom devices, and help you sleep—and live—better.  

Submit your information to request an appointment. Better sleep is just one step away.