Have currently been to both there locations in oakmont had a filling put on a front tooth by Dr Bell. an its been great. Today at the kiski office Dr Bell did a root canal on a tooth after being nervous as heck it went Fantastic an Next day had very little pain !!! Would Recommend Kiski an oakmont Dentistry to anyone!!!!!!
May is Better Sleep Month, which makes it a good time to ask yourself an honest question: how well are you actually sleeping? If the answer involves a lot of tossing and turning, waking up exhausted, or a partner nudging you about your snoring, you might have more than just a rough night here and there. You might have sleep apnea. Your dentist can help more than you’d expect.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and partially or fully blocks your airway. Your body jolts itself awake just enough to resume breathing. This can happen hundreds of times a night without you ever realizing.
Unfortunately, this means you could spend hours in bed but never truly rest. Over time, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to serious health concern,s including high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic fatigue. It’s worth taking seriously.
Common Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea isn’t always obvious, especially if you sleep alone. Some of the most common signs include:
- Loud or frequent snoring, particularly snoring that’s interrupted by gasping or choking sounds
- Waking up with headaches, a sign that your oxygen levels may be dipping overnight
- Daytime fatigue, feeling exhausted despite a full night’s sleep
- Difficulty concentrating, brain fog that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, often a result of breathing through your mouth during the night
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth mentioning during next visit.
Where We Come In
You probably associate sleep apnea treatment with a CPAP machine. It’s the device that delivers a steady stream of air through a mask worn overnight. CPAPs are effective, but they’re not for everyone. Many patients find them uncomfortable, noisy, or difficult to travel with, and some simply stop using them altogether.
A custom-fit oral appliance is a different approach. It’s a small, comfortable device worn in your mouth while you sleep that gently repositions your jaw to keep your airway open. It’s quiet, portable, and easy to get used to. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, it can be just as effective as a CPAP for many patients.
We work closely with your physician to make sure any oral appliance treatment is appropriate for your specific situation. It’s a collaborative process, and you’ll have support every step of the way.
Why May Is a Good Time to Act
Better Sleep Month is a natural prompt to pay attention to something you might have been brushing off. Poor sleep affects your mood, your energy, your relationships, and your long-term health. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll look into it eventually, consider this your gentle nudge.
The process starts with a conversation. At your next appointment, mention your symptoms and ask whether an oral appliance might be worth exploring. From there, your dental team can help you figure out the right next steps.
Contact our office this May to schedule an appointment and find out whether a custom oral appliance could help you finally get the sleep you deserve.
Call Kiski Advanced Dentistry at 724-294-5526 for an appointment in Leechburg, PA. You can also schedule online.