Your Dentist and Your Sleep Apnea

Dr. James Stewart has many years of experience helping patients overcome sleep apnea and sleeping disorders, but how exactly does he do it? How do dentists treat patients with sleep apnea?

Theoretically, you should visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. This means that you may see your dentist more frequently than you see your general physician. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to become aware of a potential problem, like sleep apnea, simply because they see their patients more often than doctors in other medical fields.

Snoring is a common indicator of sleep apnea, but not all symptoms are as obvious. Dr. Stewart is trained in dental sleep medicine, and he can detect the less evident symptoms of sleep apnea through a conversation with you about your sleeping habits and daytime behavior. If you complain about lethargy, morning headaches, dry mouth, daytime fatigue, or a number of other factors, Dr. Stewart may send you to a sleep lab or recommend a home sleep study. If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an oral appliance might be needed to treat the condition.

Dr. Stewart and his team have undergone special training for the treatment of sleep apnea and are skilled in recommending appropriate treatment, like behavior modification or an oral sleep appliance. He may suggest altering your sleep position, losing weight, or quitting smoking as conservative treatment options. Additionally, you may need to wear an oral appliance, such as a CPAP device, while you sleep to reposition your jaw and tongue to improve your airflow.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, Dr. James Stewart invites you to schedule an appointment at his dental office in Livonia, Michigan by calling (734) 425-4400.