3 Tips for Living a Healthier, Longer Life with Sleep Apnea Treatment in Bend, OR

It’s easy to see that sleep apnea in Bend (and across the U.S.) is becoming a topic that’s more talked about rather than looked over! We’re thrilled that this potentially deadly disease is something more people are aware of or at least talking about.

At Ponderosa Dental Center, Dr. Joshua Prentice is helping patients achieve more rejuvenating rest and less snoring. We understand that simply learning more about sleep apnea and ultimately finding out you have it can be a bit overwhelming in all of the information available online. The good news is that effective treatment options, including those offered by dentists in Bend, OR, can make a profound difference in managing your condition and improving your life expectancy. Check out these tips to help put you more at ease!

Tip #1 – Understanding Sleep Apnea and How it Affects You

According to the American Medical Association, about 30 million Americans have some form of sleep apnea. However, only one out of every six individuals is actually diagnosed! This means that nearly seven percent of the population in the U.S. has sleep apnea. As you can see this health issue is common, yet an often underestimated sleep disorder that can significantly impact life expectancy and overall health. Here are some general points to help you become more familiar with sleep apnea:

• It comes in two forms — obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).
• The most common sleep apnea symptom is chronic snoring.
• Sleep apnea is characterized by interruptions in breathing while sleeping, sometimes occurring over one hundred times per night.
• It not only leads to restless nights but also poses serious risks to cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and longevity.
• Both OSA and CSA can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Tip #2: Know What Impact Sleep Apnea Can Have on Your Overall Health

One of the most concerning impacts of sleep apnea is its association with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke. The repeated drops in blood oxygen levels and spikes in blood pressure during apnea episodes strain your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. Studies have shown that individuals with untreated sleep apnea are at a significantly higher risk of developing these conditions, ultimately reducing life expectancy.

Both forms of sleep apnea can also have negative effects on your cognitive brain function and daytime alertness. Do you think you get enough rest every night only to spend your days downing cups of coffee or struggling to stay awake? It could be related to sleep apnea and you don’t even know it! This form of fragmented sleep caused by you constantly “waking up” so you can breathe again leads to:

• Impaired concentration
• Memory problems
• A higher risk of accidents (both on the road and at work)
• Decreased job performance
• Trouble with personal relationships
• A not-so-fun quality of life

Sleep apnea treatment from your Bend dentist can give you back the ability to live a more normal life that’s free from personal or professional issues. We give you the power to take control and live a longer, more fulfilling existence filled with doing the things you love.

Tip #3 – Be Mindful of What Treatment Options Are Available to You

Dr. Prentice is well-equipped to help you beat sleep apnea thanks to years of experience and the use of innovative treatment technology. Once you give us a call, we’ll start by talking with you about your symptoms. From there, we’ll schedule you for a consultation and examination that works something like this:

• We will manually and visually evaluate your head, neck, mouth, and jaw structure looking for imbalance or irregularities. We may also use our Cone Beam scanner to take a look at your anatomy and see what may be leading to your obstruction.
• To keep things super convenient, we offer take-home sleep studies. That means you can be measured for sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea at home, in your own bed, where measurements will be most accurate. You will not be billed for this service. Instead, we bill your medical insurance.
• Once your sleep study results are entered into the system, a board-certified sleep physician will evaluate the results and confirm or deny the presence of sleep apnea.
• If your sleep apnea is severe, we will refer you to a sleep center or your own primary care physician for the prescription of a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine.
• If your sleep apnea is mild to moderate, or if you know you are unable to tolerate a CPAP device, we can prescribe a custom-made mandibular advancement appliance to hold your jaw in the ideal position and allow you to breathe correctly throughout the night.

Our dental office in Bend exclusively offers state-of-the-art technology, such as 3D imaging and digital impressions, to ensure the precise fabrication and fitting of oral appliances for optimal effectiveness and comfort.

Making the Choice to Save Yourself From Further Damage

Partnering with Ponderosa Dental Center and Dr. Prentice means you have an advantage over other patients in Bend. You have a team willing to help you find sleep apnea relief at a pace and price that works for you and your budget. If necessary, we can collaborate with other members of your healthcare team to provide an integrative approach to improving your sleep apnea. We can coordinate treatment with sleep medicine specialists, respiratory therapists, and primary care physicians to address underlying medical conditions and optimize treatment outcomes.

By addressing sleep apnea effectively, sleep apnea in Bend doesn’t have to ruin lives or shorten expectancy. Effective, affordable sleep apnea treatment plays a vital role in supporting your overall longevity!

Contact us today to ask questions about sleep apnea treatment and schedule a visit to our dental office in Bend!