Grand Rapids Sleep Apnea Treatments
Serving Cascade, Grandville, and Grand Rapids
Sleep Apnea Treatments in Grand Rapids, Cascade, and Grandville, MI
Grand Rapids Dental Partners Warning Signs of Sleep Dentistry:
These symptoms can develop over years and, if left untreated, they can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, depression, diabetes, stroke, heart failure, and more. Contact us today for an evaluation and possible referral if you find yourself experiencing any of these warning signs:
- Excessively loud snoring which can be heard rooms away (or even by neighbors)
- A pattern of snoring interrupted by pauses, then gasps
- Falling asleep at the wrong times, such as at work or while driving
- Trouble concentrating, or becoming forgetful, irritable, anxious, or depressed
- Morning headaches or nausea, frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate at night, and loss of interest in sex
- Impotence or menstrual irregularities
- Excessive sleepiness
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that prevents the body from getting enough oxygen during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for brief periods of time while sleeping. The most common form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The name comes from throat blockage that is caused by the tongue or palate.
Dr. Josh Smith is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and, in collaboration with the local sleep centers at Spectrum Health and Metro Health, he remains up to date on the latest treatments for sleep apnea.
Sleep Dentistry Services We Offer
There are a number of treatment options for patients with sleep apnea. Your medical specialists will work with you to find the right treatment for your situation:
Sleep Apnea Treatments
- Positive Airway Pressure Masks keep the airway open by providing a steady stream of air through a mask that you wear as you sleep.
- Oral Appliances pull the lower jaw and tongue forward, creating enough space to breathe unrestrictedly. These devices look much like sports mouth guards.
- Nasal Operations remove blockages in the nose and repair a deviated septum.
- Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMO) is a surgery that involves cutting the upper and lower bones of the jaws.
- The above information is provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s wellness booklet, “Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea” (2006).
Clinical Testing for Sleep Apnea
In order to fully understand your sleep, various brain activities and body systems and their relationships will be observed throughout the night. On the night of a sleep study, you will be asked to arrive at the laboratory about two hours before your usual bedtime. Technologists will position tiny sensors at different points on your body to record your brain waves, muscle activity, leg and arm movements, heart rhythms, and other body functions during sleep.
Your sleep may be studied during the day as well, through a series of naps offered at two-hour intervals. This study, known as the multiple-sleep latency test (MSLT), measures daytime sleepiness. The test may also be used to look for other causes of sleepiness, such as a brain disorder called narcolepsy. Various types of X-rays and direct examination of your breathing passage are sometimes used to provide a better picture of the throat in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
After the study, a sleep specialist will review and interpret the record to help you and your healthcare professional understand your specific sleep patterns and sleep problems. Treatment recommendations will be made if evidence of a sleep disorder is found.
Habits that Affect Sleep Apnea
For some people, certain changes in behavior can reduce or end sleep apnea. The following behaviors/habits can make obstructive sleep apnea worse:
- Losing weight and exercising regularly
- Sleeping on your side or stomach
Contact Grand Rapids Dental Partners to see if these options might work for you. The above information is provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s wellness booklet, “Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” copyright 2006.
Improving Sleep Quality
These guidelines can help most people sleep better, as well as many individuals with different types of sleep disorders. For more specific guidelines about your own sleep problem, consult your healthcare professional.
- Maintain a regular wake time, even on days off work and on weekends.
- Try to go to bed only when you are drowsy.
- If you get in bed and are not drowsy, and unable to fall asleep after about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom and engage in a quiet activity elsewhere. Do not permit yourself to fall asleep outside the bedroom. Return to bed when, and only when, you are sleepy. Repeat this process as often as necessary throughout the night.
- Use your bedroom only for sleep, sex, and times of illness.
- If you have trouble sleeping at night, don’t nap during the daytime. If you do nap, try to do so at the same time every day and for no more than one hour. Mid-afternoon (no later than 3:00 pm) is best for most people.
- Establish relaxing pre-sleep rituals such as a warm bath or ten minutes of reading.
- Exercise regularly. Confine vigorous exercise early in the day, at least six hours before bedtime, and do mild exercise at least four hours before bedtime.
- Keep a regular schedule. Regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities help keep the inner biological clock running smoothly, allowing you to sleep more easily and soundly.
- A light snack before bedtime can help promote sound sleep; avoid large meals close to bedtime.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soda with caffeine, cocoa, or chocolate) within six hours of bedtime.
- Don’t drink alcohol when sleepy and don’t use alcohol to help you sleep at night. While alcohol may help you fall asleep more quickly, it severely affects the quality of your sleep later in the night and may even keep you from sleeping through the night.
- Avoid tobacco close to bedtime or during the night.
- Sleeping pills should be used only conservatively. Most healthcare professionals avoid prescribing sleeping pills for periods longer than two or three weeks. Remember to tell your healthcare professional about any symptoms of breathing problems during sleep (snoring, stop-breathing episodes, waking up short of breath, waking up with a headache or nausea) when being prescribed sleeping pills.
The above information is provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s wellness booklet, “Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Snoring” (2007).
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, please contact the sleep apnea doctor at Grand Rapids Dental Partners today to discuss your options, including possible referral to a local sleep center. Our team is proud to serve patients throughout the Grand Rapids, Cascade, & Grandville, MI communities.
We can’t wait to meet you!
Patients come first – we provide excellent Dental services that incorporate innovation and technology.
Why Choose Us
Experienced Doctors
Our doctors have been practicing dentistry for a over 20 years combined.
Scheduling Convenience
With two locations to serve you at in Cascade and Grand Rapids, our dental team will schedule you for your dental appointment when it fits into your schedule.
Part of Your Community
We are a small business, that is family owned and operated. Grand Rapids loves serving the Grand Rapids, Cascade and Grandville communities. You will often find our team volunteering after office hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients in Grandville. If you’re in need of Preventative Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Sleep Apnea Treatments, and other dental services – Grand Rapids Dental Partners is here to help!
What insurance do you accept?
Our team is happy to answer any of your insurance questions and we offer a complementary benefits check, or pre-authorization as needed.
Why should I choose Grand Rapids Dental Partners?
Our philosophy is to never stop learning our dentists and the team continually adopts successful techniques and treatments as they evolve, providing our patients with the best possible care.
The team of dentists and hygienists at Grand Rapids Dental Partners are proud to be your source of quality dental care. With offices located in Grand Rapids, and Grandville, MI, we can see and treat patients with a variety of procedures. To further improve your oral health, we welcome you to contact our dentist office today to learn more about our treatment options or to schedule an appointment!
What should I do in a dental emergency?
What should I do if I lose a dental crown?
Depending on what type of dental crown you have, things happen, and they can fall out on a rare occasion. If your crown does fall out, please try to keep it, and bring it with you to your appointment.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that prevents the body from getting enough oxygen during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for brief periods of time while sleeping. The most common form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The name comes from throat blockage that is caused by the tongue or palate.
Dr. Josh Smith is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and, in collaboration with the local sleep centers at Spectrum Health and Metro Health, he remains up to date on the latest treatments for sleep apnea.
Does Grand Rapids Dental Partners offer periodontal disease treatments?
Yes, we offer Periodontal (Gum Disease) Treatment options at your dental cleanings. Our goal is to treat periodontal disease non-surgically and our routine hygiene appointments can help with intervention.
Do you offer Botox in your office?
If you are interested in boosting your appearance to look younger without undergoing cosmetic surgery, you may want to consider getting Botox injections. Botox injections are non-invasive, outpatient treatments used to alleviate issues related to aging. The doctors and assistants here at Grand Rapids Dental Partners offer safe and convenient Botox injections for patients throughout the Cascade, Grand Rapids, and Grandville, MI areas.
What should I do if mine, or my child’s tooth, is knocked out?
Should a tooth get knocked out please contact our office as soon as possible. We know it can be scary, but try not to panic, we will do everything we can to help you with your knocked out tooth and discuss options and recommendations based on your circumstances.
What should I do if I crack a tooth?
Grand Rapids Dental Partners understand that a cracked tooth is painful! Please contact us to give us details on your cracked tooth right away!
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Our Grandville and Grand Rapids Dentists are here for you, when you need them!