McMurray Dentistry - Laurens

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Laurens

Get help for your sleep apnea and snoring problems and finally get some quality sleep.
Call 866-512-8048

All about sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to breathe while you sleep. Sleep apnea can disrupt your sleeping more than 30 times a night and is characterized by pauses in normal breathing, gasping in your sleep, waking up with headaches, feeling foggy and tired during the day and, most infamously, excessive snoring that might keep your partner awake.

    There are two main types of sleep apnea:
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea - The most common form of sleep apnea, caused by tissues in the back of the throat collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.
  • Central Sleep Apnea - This form of apnea is caused by a disruption in the communication patterns between your brain and muscles which leads to a breathing disruption.

What are the benefits of sleep apnea treatment?

It goes without saying that a good night’s sleep is essential to our emotional and physical well-being. Even if you can’t remember waking up at night, sleep apnea is still disturbing your sleep cycle and this can have short-term and long-term effects on your health, relationships and quality of life. Besides finally getting a good night’s sleep, what are some of the benefits of sleep apnea treatment?

Better physical health

Believe it or not, treating your sleep apnea will reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart issues, the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver problems and reduces stress on your metabolic system. Combating sleep apnea may also alleviate the extra risk associated with surgery or drug therapy.

Feel like normal again

Do you ever feel like you’re forgetting something? Or can’t quite find the words you’re looking for? Sleep apnea sufferers often report waking up feeling groggy and feel stuck in a brain fog all day. With sleep apnea treatment, patients report feeling sharper, focused and more like themselves again.

Strengthen your relationships

Treating your sleep apnea is good for both you and your partner. By reducing or stopping your restlessness and snoring altogether you will also give your partner a higher quality, uninterrupted night of sleep. Both of you will wake up with an improved mood. Facing the day with a fresh slate will make parenting, work and relationships feel a lot more enjoyable. Your good mood is catching.

How is sleep apnea treated?

There are several options for treating sleep apnea depending on the cause and severity of your apnea. It’s also important for us to find a solution that suits your lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes

The good news is that mild cases of sleep apnea can be treated right at home. The dentist may recommend losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, changing the way you sleep, following sleep hygiene recommendations, and quitting smoking. These recommendations are so safe and effective, we often recommend them even in tandem with other treatments.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Currently the most common treatment for sleep apnea, you may already be familiar with CPAP machines. A mask is worn over the nose and/or mouth while you sleep. The mask is connected to a machine that delivers a constant steady stream of air that helps keep your airways open so you can breathe normally. There are different kinds of masks and machines available depending on your needs and what you’re comfortable sleeping with.

Oral appliances

There are a few appliances that are worn in the mouth while sleeping that can alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. They typically look and feel a bit like a mouthguard. Their function will depend on what’s causing your sleep apnea symptoms and they may alleviate snoring, pull the jaw forward to keep your airway clear or stabilize your tongue.

Surgery and medication

Some causes of sleep apnea can be treated with surgery or medication. The most common types of surgery for sleep apnea problems include repairing a deviated septum in the nose, fixing a narrow throat or airway, or making adjustments to the jaw area to relieve throat blockages.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

The symptoms of sleep apnea could be summed up as not being able to sleep deeply and suffering the consequences of that. A sleep apnea sufferer might snore often or loudly, silently pause breathing while sleeping, wake up in the night choking and gasping, find themselves having to use the washroom at night, and wake up feeling completely dissatisfied with their sleep. During the day they may have headaches, difficulty concentrating, feel irritable, have memory loss or foggy brain and may experience a decline in sexual desire.
Sleep apnea has many different possible causes. In adults, the most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea and the most common cause of that is excess weight and obesity. You can’t be sure of what kind of sleep apnea you have or the cause until you are examined by a professional.
When suffering from a lack of oxygen due to sleep apnea, your brain senses your inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can open your airway. This awakening can be so brief that you don’t even remember it the next day. You may be briefly waking up 30 times or more per night without remembering a thing, just feeling groggy the next morning.
You may have an increased risk of sleep apnea if you are overweight, male, have a family history of sleep apnea or poor sleeping, use alcohol or sleeping pills, smoke, or have nasal congestion. In addition, sleep apnea occurs much more often in older adults.
Research suggests that sleeping on your side (Also know as the lateral sleeping position) is the best sleeping position for relieving sleep apnea and snoring.
While most people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, there are many causes of sleep apnea and thin people can develop the disorder too.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Renee Richmond
1 month ago
I've been going to Dr. McMurray for 7+ years and it is always a great experience, but this year has been exceptional (I needed 2 crowns and a bridge and he also graciously fixed a problem created by the oral surgeon at no charge). The office staff is friendly and the medical staff is also. Dr. McMurray explains everything thoroughly and makes wise and conservative decisions regarding my care. You feel like he cares about you and that you are not just a number off the assembly line. He is just a plain old NICE person. I highly recommend this office!
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Sheila Levine
3 months ago
I had the most amazing dental experience at McMurray dental office. The staff was so welcoming and friendly. It made me feel as if I was with family. I broke a tooth and Dr. McMurray was so sweet and gentle with his treatment. I had to get numb and I barely felt it. This Dr. has very gentle hands. Thank you Dr. McMurray for making my experience so easy. I highly recommend this office.
More
Donnie Wells
10 months ago
Took my 16 year old daughter to him last week and he done a fabulous job! Even Emily was happy with the amount of care the dentist and staff took with her!
More
Jaime Geddie
1 year ago
By far the best dentist office!!! The staff are amazing and treat you as if you were their very only family member. I couldn’t have ever picked a better dentist
More
Renee Richmond
1 month ago
I've been going to Dr. McMurray for 7+ years and it is always a great experience, but this year has been exceptional (I needed 2 crowns and a bridge and he also graciously fixed a problem created by the oral surgeon at no charge). The office staff is friendly and the medical staff is also. Dr. McMurray explains everything thoroughly and makes wise and conservative decisions regarding my care. You feel like he cares about you and that you are not just a number off the assembly line. He is just a plain old NICE person. I highly recommend this office!
More
Sheila Levine
3 months ago
I had the most amazing dental experience at McMurray dental office. The staff was so welcoming and friendly. It made me feel as if I was with family. I broke a tooth and Dr. McMurray was so sweet and gentle with his treatment. I had to get numb and I barely felt it. This Dr. has very gentle hands. Thank you Dr. McMurray for making my experience so easy. I highly recommend this office.
More
Donnie Wells
10 months ago
Took my 16 year old daughter to him last week and he done a fabulous job! Even Emily was happy with the amount of care the dentist and staff took with her!
More
Jaime Geddie
1 year ago
By far the best dentist office!!! The staff are amazing and treat you as if you were their very only family member. I couldn’t have ever picked a better dentist
More
McMurray Dentistry - Laurens

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Call 866-512-8048