Our dentist and team are committed to helping you enjoy a healthier quality of life. We offer sleep dentistry to treat sleep apnea so that you can get the rest you need. Dr. Matthew Pavlovich works with physicians, sleep specialists and orthodontists to develop individualized treatment plans, using advanced technology to understand your needs and ensure you receive the care you need. We invite you to contact PNW Dental today at 541-323-3930 to learn more about sleep dentistry in Bend, Oregon, and schedule your personal consultation.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder characterized by pauses and interruptions in breathing. It is caused by blockages in the airway, such as the tongue rolling back or the soft tissues of the throat collapsing. These pauses in breathing can occur as often as 40 times in a single minute, and in some cases, the pauses may last for up to a minute.

It is estimated that as many as 15 million people suffer from sleep apnea, and many of them are unaware that they have this condition. Individuals with sleep apnea often wake feeling as if they have received little or no sleep due to the fact that they have spent the night fighting to breathe normally and receive the oxygen they need.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring (especially when accompanied by pauses in breathing)
• Insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
• Restless sleep and frequent nighttime urination
• Falling asleep while driving, working or reading
• Gasping and choking sensations while asleep
• A sore throat when waking up
• Headaches when waking up
• Behavioral and mood changes, including depression and anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory impairment

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, please contact your regular physician. They will be able to refer you to a sleep specialist for a diagnosis.

Sleep Apnea and Your Health

The quality of your sleep has a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. In fact, insufficient sleep as a result of sleep apnea has been recognized as a global problem and a public health epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing or worsening a number of serious medical conditions, including:

• Problems with the immune, digestive and central nervous systems
• Problems with hormone production
• Heart disease, stroke and weakened cardiovascular systems
• Liver problems
• High blood pressure and increased blood pressure
• Weight gain, sometimes leading to obesity
• Impaired memory and difficulty concentrating
• Behavioral disorders, including anxiety and depression
• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
• Poor balance
• Hypersomnia (excessive daytime drowsiness)

Lack of sleep has also been linked to car accidents, occupational accidents and decreased productivity, and it may make it difficult for you to perform daily actions and maintain a healthy quality of life.