Snoring & Sleep Apnea Solutions in Lake Oswego, OR
Snoring and sleep apnea are common sleep disorders that can impact your health and the quality of your life. Fortunately, at Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, our holistic dentist Dr. Larry Bowden offers effective solutions for both conditions, including the Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP) and Nightlase laser treatment.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Related But Not the Same
Snoring and sleep apnea have a lot in common including causes, symptoms, and even a few health problems. However, sleep apnea tends to be much more serious and can result in severe health issues when left untreated.
Snoring
Snoring is a common condition that occurs when the airway narrows, and the soft tissues in the back of the throat vibrate, creating a sound. Snoring on its own isn’t always harmful and is quite common. According to the Merck Manual, snoring affects an estimated 57 percent of men and 40 percent of women. However, frequent and loud snoring may be a sign of a more serious condition called sleep apnea.
Possible causes of snoring include:
- Age
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Nasal congestion
- Sleep position
Some common symptoms of snoring include:
- Loud or disruptive noises during the night
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
Consequences of untreated snoring may include:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- Relationship problems
- Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes intermittent recurring pauses in your breathing during sleep. According to The Lancet, sleep apnea may affect an estimated one billion people worldwide. Three forms of sleep apnea have been identified to date.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by the collapsing of airways blocking airflow into the lungs. The harder one tries to breathe, the tighter the airway seals. This airway obstruction persists until the brain partially awakens the person.
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the body to breathe during sleep. Complex sleep apnea is when both obstructive and central sleep apnea are present.
Causes of sleep apnea can include:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Nasal congestion
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain medical conditions
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include: 
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
The consequences of untreated sleep apnea can include but aren’t limited to:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Liver problems
- High blood pressure
- Oral cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Insomnia
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact our Lake Oswego office at (503) 675-7300 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bowden. We can offer solutions for both snoring and sleep apnea, including the Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP) and Fotona Nightlase Therapy. These treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall sleep quality, leading to a better quality of life.
The TAP Oral Appliance
The TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) is an oral appliance customized to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep. It works by keeping your mouth and jaw open in the proper position. This allows your airway to remain open, ensuring normal breathing during sleep.
Using the TAP oral appliance as a snoring or sleep apnea treatment allows patients to experience a range of benefits. These benefits include:
- Comfortable: The TAP appliance is customized to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep, eliminating the discomfort associated with other treatment methods.
- Easy to Use: TAP is simple to use and doesn’t require any special training or complicated setup.
- Non-invasive: Unlike surgical options, the TAP is non-invasive and doesn’t require any incisions or anesthesia.
- Adjustable: The TAP is adjustable, allowing for added comfort and optimal treatment results.
- Portable: It’s small enough to take with you while traveling, so you can maintain your treatment regimen while on the go.
- Durable: The TAP is designed to last, ensuring that you can enjoy the benefits of treatment for years to come.
- No Masks or Straps: Unlike other treatment options, the TAP doesn’t require the use of masks or straps, making it a more comfortable and convenient choice.
Fotona Nightlase® Therapy
Fotona Nightlase Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses gentle laser light to tighten the soft tissues in the mouth and throat, reducing the frequency and intensity of snoring and improving the symptoms of sleep apnea. This treatment is painless, requires no downtime, and is safe, with no reported side effects.
Benefits of Fotona Nightlase Therapy include:
- Long-lasting Results: Nightlase provides long-lasting results, with most patients experiencing a significant reduction in snoring and sleep apnea symptoms after just one or two sessions. A series of three to four treatments can provide even more substantial and long-lasting results.
- Comfortable: Nightlase is non-invasive and painless, with no cutting or surgery required. The gentle laser light used in the treatment is comfortable and safe.
- Effective: The Fotona laser can improve symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea by tightening the soft tissues in the mouth and throat. Patients typically see results after just one or two sessions, with long-lasting effects achieved after a series of treatments.
- Convenient: This treatment requires no downtime, with patients able to return to their daily activities immediately after treatment. The treatment is also safe, with no reported side effects.
- Non-invasive: Unlike other treatment options, such as surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, Nightlase is a non-invasive solution that does not require masks or straps.
- Quick and Painless: The treatment is quick and painless, with most sessions taking less than 30 minutes to complete. Patients can return to their daily activities immediately after the treatment.
Lifestyle Changes for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Making lifestyle changes can also greatly improve the symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea. Some simple lifestyle changes Dr. Bowden may suggest include:
Weight Loss
Losing weight not only reduces the amount of tissue in the throat that can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea but also improves overall health. It’s important to talk to a doctor before starting a weight loss program to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Diet
A healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can reduce inflammation in the body, including the tissues in the throat. Reducing processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can also help with weight loss and improve overall health.
Quitting Smoking
Stopping smoking not only reduces the risk of various health problems but can also significantly improve snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Smoking irritates the tissues in the throat, leading to inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
Limiting Alcohol and Sedative Use
Reducing or eliminating alcohol and sedatives can improve snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. These substances relax the muscles in the throat, leading to more frequent and intense snoring and sleep apnea episodes.
Changing Sleep Position
Sleeping on your side can help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and soft tissues to collapse onto the back of the throat, narrowing the airway and causing snoring and sleep apnea.
Maintaining Good Sleep Hygiene
Getting enough sleep and establishing a consistent sleep schedule can improve snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. This includes avoiding caffeine, electronics, and stimulating activities before bedtime, and creating a relaxing sleep environment.
Exercise
Regular exercise can improve overall health and reduce the severity of snoring and sleep apnea. It can also aid in weight loss and reduce inflammation in the body, leading to improved breathing during sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sleep apnea go away on its own?
If my snoring isn’t sleep apnea related, should I still get it treated?
How much does snoring and sleep apnea treatment cost?
Can untreated sleep apnea lead to other health problems?
Does sleep apnea go away on its own?
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that typically doesn’t go away on its own. Without proper treatment, the symptoms of sleep apnea can worsen and lead to serious health problems. While there are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol and sedatives, these measures may not completely eliminate the condition.
If my snoring isn’t sleep apnea related, should I still get it treated?
Yes, even if your snoring isn’t sleep apnea related, it can still cause disruptions to your sleep and your partner’s sleep, leading to fatigue and other health issues. Snoring may also be a sign of underlying health issues such as allergies or congestion that can be addressed with treatment. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your snoring and explore treatment options.
How much does snoring and sleep apnea treatment cost?
The cost of snoring and sleep apnea treatment can vary depending on the specific treatment recommended by the healthcare provider. The price of treatment can be influenced by factors such as the severity of the condition and the type of treatment recommended, which can range from oral appliances to surgical interventions.
Generally, the cost of treatment for snoring and sleep apnea can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Some health insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost of treatment, so it’s best to check with your provider to determine your coverage.
Can untreated sleep apnea lead to other health problems?
Yes, untreated sleep apnea can lead to a range of health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, which can impact your overall quality of life and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Call Us Today for Better Sleep and a Healthier Life
While sleep apnea and snoring are common, they’re also treatable and should be addressed as soon as possible. Don’t wait for snoring or sleep apnea to push away your intimate partners or cause you severe health problems. Call Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego by dialing (503) 675-7300 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowden.
You can also request an appointment online by clicking the button below, and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly. We serve new and returning patients from Lake Oswego and surrounding areas such as Portland, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, and Sherwood, OR.