Author: Amped-Marketing

If you feel anxious about seeing the dentist, you are not alone. An estimated 50-80% of adults in the United States suffer from some degree of dental anxiety, according to a study by the Journal of Dental Hygiene. This anxiety causes more than 20% of these adults to avoid seeing the dentist regularly, which can be detrimental to their oral health. Luckily, it is possible to cope with dental anxiety.

Follow these five tips to help you overcome dental anxiety:

Tip #1 – Recognize The Fear

The first step in overcoming dental anxiety is recognizing that you suffer from it. Patients feel anxious about going to the dentist for several reasons, mainly fear of pain, loss of control, embarrassment about dental health, or a bad experience in the past. In many cases, it is a combination of some or all of these factors. Coming to terms with the reasoning behind your fear can help you take steps to overcome it.

Tip #2 – Be Honest With Your Dentist

If you feel nervous about your dental procedure, do not keep your fears bottled up. Let your dentist and their team know how you are feeling. They can’t take steps to make you feel more comfortable unless they know you are anxious. Since dental anxiety is so common, dentists have a lot of experience helping people just like you. Once they are aware of how you are feeling, they can explain everything they are doing to help ease your worries. You can even set up a signal with them, such as raising your hand, that will indicate when you need to take a break.

Tip #3 – Bring Along Moral Support>

Not going to your dental visit alone can reduce feelings of anxiety. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to your dental appointment. Whether they stay in the lobby, wait in the car, or come to the room with you, knowing that someone you trust is nearby can help you feel safer and more comfortable. They can also speak up for you during times you can’t, helping you feel more in control of the situation. Just be sure to check current rules for bringing along a support person, as this varies based on the dentist you choose and your circumstances. 

Tip #4 – Try Out Relaxation Techniques

Getting yourself in the right mindset before your appointment is another way to combat anxious feelings about the dentist. Relaxation techniques like breathing exercises and simple meditations will help relax your muscles and slow your heartbeat. Watching a funny movie or video before your appointment can also help you calm down. During your procedure, distract yourself by listening to music, playing with a stress ball or fidget spinner, or focusing on the television in the room.

Tip #5 – Find a Dentist You Trust

Finding the right dentist can make all of the difference in alleviating your dental anxiety. If a dentist is right for you, they will make you feel comfortable and confident in the care you are receiving. A few things to look for in a trusted dental office are friendly staff, a relaxing atmosphere, and high-tech equipment and treatments. 

Trusted Dentist in Oro Valley

Smith Dentalworks serves patients in Oro Valley, as well as Tucson and other surrounding communities. When you trust us for your oral hygiene needs, our team of experienced dentists and hygienists will treat you with care throughout your entire procedure. For patients that are afraid of experiencing pain, we also offer pain-free dental treatments with laser technology. 

To schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. It is one of the most common sleep disorders and often goes undiagnosed. If left untreated, it can lead to daytime tiredness and loud snoring, or more serious issues like congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. There are three different types of sleep apnea with key differences: obstructive, central, and complex.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The most common subtype of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA causes your throat muscles to intermittently relax and block your airway. As a result, people with this condition can stop breathing anywhere between five times an hour to 100 or more while they sleep. 

OSA is divided into three categories, based on the number of times a patient stops breathing:

• Mild – The patient experiences 5-14 breathing interruptions an hour.

• Moderate – The patient experiences 15-30 breathing interruptions an hour.

• Severe – The patient experiences 30 or more breathing interruptions an hour.

During these episodes, the muscles in the diaphragm and chest work harder than normal to open the airway back up. This negatively affects sleep patterns and the flow of oxygen to vital organs, leading to abnormal heart rhythms.

Treatment

To treat this form of sleep apnea, you must fix the obstruction that blocks the airway during sleep. Sometimes, changing your sleep position is all that is required. Other people find that becoming more physically active, losing weight, and stopping smoking can reduce the negative symptoms. You can also improve this condition medically through a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, surgery, oral appliances, and certain medications. 

At Smith Dentalworks, we treat mild-to-moderate OSA with the Vivos System. This treatment option is an innovative and pain-free custom oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. Unlike alternative sleep apnea treatments that require lifetime use, the Vivos System corrects the deficiencies that lead to OSA and only requires you to wear it for a period of 12 to 24 months. 

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea (CSA), a less common form of the condition, occurs when a person’s brain fails to signal the muscles in the body responsible for breathing. CSA is typically caused by a medical condition that affects the brain stem, including brain infections and strokes. It can also be idiopathic, meaning that there is no identifiable underlying disease. This type of sleep apnea is more difficult to diagnose and treat than OSA.

Treatment

To treat central sleep apnea, you must first treat the existing condition that is causing it. For instance, treating heart problems or switching to a different medication or dosage can often alleviate your symptoms. A few other ways to treat it are through a CPAP, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), adaptive-servo ventilation (ASV), phrenic nerve stimulation, and certain medications.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

It is also possible to have both obstructive and central sleep apnea simultaneously. This is known as complex sleep apnea syndrome, treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, or mixed sleep apnea. Patients with this condition may seem to have OSA at first, but find out they have CSA as well when their symptoms are not fully addressed by the use of a CPAP.

Treatment

Treating complex sleep apnea usually involves a combination of treatments for both OSA and CSA, such as treating the underlying condition while also using a CPAP or other positive airway pressure devices.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Oro Valley

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, Smith Dentalworks is here to help you. Our sleep apnea treatment, the Vivos System, can correct the deficiencies that lead to OSA in as little as 12 months, allowing you to enjoy a healthy life without further intervention.

To get started on relieving your sleep apnea symptoms, contact Smith Dentalworks today.

Many people think that dentures are only for senior citizens, but the truth is that they can be necessary sooner in life as well. 53% of denture wearers were 44 years old or younger when they first started wearing dentures, according to a Biting into Denture Care Survey. If you practice good oral hygiene, you may never have to consider getting dentures. However, it is still important to know the signs that they might be needed.

Six signs you should consider getting dentures are:

1. You Do Not Routinely Visit the Dentist

Bi-annual visits to the dentist are a crucial part of oral hygiene. Regular visits allow your dentist to keep an eye on any changes in your teeth and gums. Health problems are more easily corrected when they are detected early. If you wait too long to fix them, cavities can progress to the point of requiring tooth extraction, which is the first sign that dentures might be necessary. 

2. There Are Gaps Between Your Teeth

Gaps in your teeth can be an indication of a deeper problem. Loose or shifting teeth are a sign of advanced periodontal (gum) disease, as well as bone loss. Dentists call this the “silent killer” because it is not always apparent on the surface. If you have too many loose teeth that need to be extracted, dentures might become a reality for you. 

3. You Have Chronic Toothaches

Severe tooth pain is often an indication that decay has progressed to the point of nerve damage. If caught early, a filling or root canal can be enough to treat the problem. If the decay reaches an advanced state, however, teeth may need to be removed. Replacing the teeth with dental implants or partial dentures might also be needed.

4. Your Gums Are Inflamed or Bleeding

Red, swollen, tender, or irritated gums are the main signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease. In its early stages, gum disease can be reversed by carefully brushing your teeth and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings. If it is left untreated for too long, however, it can damage the structure of your teeth and progress to the point of bone or tooth loss. At this point, full dentures will be required. 

5. You Have Missing Teeth

People with one or more missing teeth put more strain on their remaining teeth, wearing them down prematurely and increasing their risk of losing more teeth in the future. To prevent this, dentists recommend replacing them with implants or dentures to relieve excessive pressure. This is also an option for those that have had teeth knocked out during sports injuries or automobile accidents.

6. You Have Difficulty Chewing

Having trouble eating hard or chewy foods can be a result of missing or cracked teeth, cavities, or gum disease, all of which can be prevented with early detection. While it is possible to have an individual tooth treated to remedy chewing pains, dentures might be the best option if these problems get too severe.

Restore Your Smile

Missing teeth can have a big impact on your daily life and self-confidence. At Smith Dentalworks, it is our goal to restore your smile and improve your oral health. We will work with you to determine which type of dentures will be the best fit.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

An estimated 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, with 80% of cases going undiagnosed each year. If left untreated, this disorder can increase the likelihood of serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes. Knowing the common signs of sleep apnea can help you reach a diagnosis and avoid the negative consequences. 

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, in which a person starts and stops breathing repeatedly throughout the night. Obstructive and central are the two main types of sleep apnea. 

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form and occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. A third type, complex sleep apnea, is a combination of the two.

Symptoms

Undiagnosed sleep apnea presents itself in a variety of different ways.

A few of the most common signs of both obstructive and central sleep apnea are:

• Morning headaches
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Insomnia 
• Changes in mood, such as irritability 
• Trouble focusing while awake 
• Decreased libido
• Dizziness 
• Daytime sleepiness
• Frequent urination throughout the night, including bedwetting  
• Forgetfulness 
• Excessive night sweating

Other symptoms of sleep apnea might not be apparent to you because they occur during sleep. 

Those you share your household with may have noticed some of the following signs:

• Snoring
• Gasping for air
• Choking 
• Pauses in breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time

Risk Factors

Anyone can be diagnosed with sleep apnea, but certain risk factors can increase your likelihood, including gender. Men are 2-3 times more likely to have this disorder than women.

Other risk factors include:

• Obesity. Large fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing.
• Family history. Having other family members with sleep apnea increases your risk.
• Medical conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and heart failure can lead to sleep apnea. The risk of these health problems is also increased by the disorder.
• Smoking. Smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, which can affect breathing.
• Older age. Both the likelihood and severity of sleep apnea increase with age.
• Physical abnormalities. Abnormalities of the nose, throat, or upper airway can inhibit breathing.
• Neck circumference. People with thicker necks tend to have more narrow airways.

• Complications

Sleep apnea increases the likelihood of other complications like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. It is also linked to irregular heartbeats and heart failure. 

Other negative health effects from untreated sleep apnea are:

• Headaches
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Chronic fatigue 

When You Should See a Doctor

While loud snoring is one of the signs of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has this sleep disorder. People with sleep apnea tend to snore the loudest when they sleep on their backs. In addition to snoring, some of the signs of sleep apnea overlap with other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy. If you notice any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Oro Valley

The first step in treating sleep apnea is reaching a diagnosis. At Smith Dentalworks, we collaborate with other professionals to assist those diagnosed with sleep apnea in creating a custom treatment plan.

For more information on how Smith Dentalworks can relieve your sleep apnea symptoms, contact us today.

Nearly 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep-related problems each year. That statistic just scratches the surface, however, because many sleep disorders go undiagnosed. After all, the main symptoms cannot be perceived by a person while they are asleep. Sleep apnea and bruxism are among the disorders that can be hard to identify, and the two are often linked.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is one of the three most common sleep disorders, affecting over one billion individuals. It interrupts a person’s breathing pattern while they sleep, causing them to repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night. 

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the more common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles of your throat relax during sleep, blocking the airway and causing the body to stop breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time. 

Symptoms

Sleep apnea can cause an individual to feel fatigued throughout the day and underperform at work or during other daily activities. 

Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Waking up feeling exhausted
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating throughout the day
• High blood pressure

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a disorder where individuals unconsciously grind, clench, or brace their teeth. This is caused by repetitive jaw-muscle activity.

There are two main types of bruxism: sleep-related and awake. Sleep-related bruxism is categorized by rhythmic movements (grinding), sustained contractions (clenching), or a combination of both while a person is asleep. 

Symptoms

Dentists can identify evidence of bruxism during an exam, which is indicated by a misalignment of the jaw or teeth, eroded surfaces, and loose teeth.

A few of the other symptoms of sleep bruxism are:

• Tooth pain and increased sensitivity 
• Chipped or fractured teeth
• Worn enamel
• Jaw, facial, and neck pain
• Chronic headaches

Sleep Apnea and Bruxism

Sleep apnea and bruxism are often linked and it is not uncommon for an individual to suffer from both simultaneously. Nearly one in four individuals with sleep apnea also grind their teeth at night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. While it is still unclear why the two conditions can be related, there are a few theories.

One prominent theory suggests that sleep apnea can trigger bruxism. When the airway is blocked, the muscles in the mouth and jaw work to reopen it, causing the teeth to grind. Another theory is that bruxism helps relieve the dry tissues of the mouth and back of the throat, which is a side effect of sleep apnea. It is also possible that the stress and anxiety that interrupted sleep causes makes the jaw unconsciously clench or grind. 

Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea and Bruxism

In addition to all of the symptoms, if left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues. Individuals may develop type 2 diabetes, acid reflux, and suffer memory loss. Continued bruxism is also harmful to your health. It can break and loosen teeth, as well as wear down enamel, crowns, and fillings over time. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Tucson

If you notice any of the symptoms of sleep apnea or bruxism in yourself or a loved one, Smith Dentalworks is here to help. 

To learn more about how Smith Dentalworks can relieve your sleep apnea symptoms, contact us today.

An estimated 65% of American adults have crooked teeth, according to a survey by the National Library of Medicine. Luckily, traditional braces and headgear are no longer the only options to realign teeth; there is also Invisalign clear. 

The subtle design of Invisalign clear aligners is a great option for adults and children alike who want to straighten their teeth without the bulk of metal braces. It can also cut the realignment time in half.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign is a virtually invisible (hence the name) plastic device used to adjust teeth. It can be a solution for those with an over or underbite, crowding, and gaps. The device is specially fit for your mouth through 3D imaging and a plaster mold. 

Every month or so, the patient will be fit for a new aligner to match the changing positioning of their teeth. The average case takes anywhere between six and 50 trays to complete the treatment.

Factors That Affect Treatment Time

The average treatment time is about a year, but it can take anywhere from six to 36 months. Some patients can begin to see subtle differences as soon as 10 weeks. 

The amount of time Invisalign takes to work is dependent on a few factors out of the patient’s control, but also has a lot to do with how closely they follow their treatment plan.

Age

Children and teenagers are still growing and developing, and this includes their teeth. This makes it easier to realign them. That doesn’t mean that adults will not benefit from Invisalign, it just might take slightly longer. 

Following the Treatment Plan

To receive the results you want, you have to fully commit to your Invisalign treatment plan. This includes taking proper care of your trays, wearing them for the recommended amount of time, and bringing them with you during travel. 

Invisalign clear trays should be worn for the majority of every day, around 20-23 hours, to fully take effect. They should only be removed when they are cleaned, while you eat, and when you brush your teeth.

Complexity of the Case

Each person’s case is unique, so their journey to straight teeth will be also. The complexity of a case is affected by how much the teeth need to move in order to produce the desired outcome. Both crowding and gapping in teeth contribute to the treatment length.

Crowded Teeth

Crowding of teeth is a common problem fixed by Invisalign. This can occur if your jaw is small or your teeth are slightly larger than normal, causing them to overlap or push into one another. Subtle cases of crowding can be realigned in around six months, while more serious cases can take a year or more.

Gapped Teeth

Diastemata, or gaps between teeth, is another common occurrence, and usually easier to fix than crowding. The size of the gap will determine how long it will take to correct. Small gaps can disappear in just eight weeks with Invisalign.
If both gaps and crowding are present, treatment usually takes about 18 months.

Invisalign Dentist in Oro Valley

At Smith Dentalworks, we believe that everyone deserves to have a smile that makes them feel confident. Our team of trained professionals has the experience and commitment to serve your family, general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs.

Take the first step toward your new smile by scheduling an appointment to learn more about Invisalign clear aligners today.

Sleep is one of the most important factors that contribute to cardiovascular health, along with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Not getting enough sleep each night can have a cumulative effect that takes a toll on your wellbeing. Sometimes, this restlessness is the result of a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is among the most common sleep disorders, affecting an estimated 22 million Americans each year. If it goes untreated, the consequences of sleep apnea can be a danger to your health.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing pattern is interrupted throughout sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea – obstructive and central.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of apnea, as well one of the most common sleep disorders. It occurs when the airflow through your nose and mouth is blocked by relaxed muscles during sleep, causing you to stop breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time. 

Central sleep apnea is not caused by an actual blockage of the airway, but by failure to start breathing during sleep due to a lack of signals from the brain. This is most common among individuals with existing conditions, such as those who have a history of strokes, kidney or lung disease, or heart failure.

What Can Happen if Sleep Apnea Goes Untreated

If left untreated, sleep apnea can have both mild and severe consequences on your health and wellbeing. Mild irritants include snoring and restlessness during the night. This can also cause those in your household to have trouble sleeping. Consequences can follow you into the day as well in the form of headaches and fatigue, which can lead to underperforming at work or having trouble being present with your friends and family.

Sleep apnea also has more serious long-term consequences, both physically and mentally. Physically, people with sleep apnea can suffer from high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. This is due to the decreased flow of oxygen to organs such as your heart, lungs, and liver. Mentally, a lack of sleep due to sleep apnea can disturb your emotions, which can put you at greater risk of depression and anxiety. 

Other consequences include night sweats, sexual dysfunction, and memory problems. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you think you may have sleep apnea, the first step is to talk about it with a healthcare specialist. The specialist will evaluate you through a sleep study, which involves monitoring your breathing and vital organ functions overnight. This study can be done in a sleep disorder center or at home. 

If your healthcare specialist diagnoses you with obstructive sleep apnea, two common treatments are continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), and the Vivos System. A CPAP machine delivers a constant flow of air into your nose and mouth to provide sleep apnea relief. However, these machines are noisy and only work if you use them habitually for the rest of your life. 

The Vivos System is a more personalized approach to sleep apnea relief. A combination of doctors and dentists will create a specialized treatment plan and oral appliance that only needs to be used for one to two years. After that period, patients rarely need any further sleep apnea intervention. The Vivos System is also pain-free.

Vivos Dentist in Oro Valley

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, Smith Dentalworks is here to help. Our team of professionals can assess your specific case to offer you a customized device to help treat your condition. 

To learn more about the Vivos System and other services Smith Dentalworks has to offer, contact us today.

Your smile is often one of the first things someone notices about you. If it doesn’t look the way you prefer, it can impact your confidence. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry makes it possible to change the way your smile looks. Our Oro Valley dentist’s office can address a wide variety of cosmetic concerns.

Some issues that can be corrected with cosmetic dental care include:

Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are not always a purely cosmetic concern, and can also affect your oral health. That being said, straightening your smile can definitely improve your confidence, even if the misalignment is not major enough to cause any issues beyond aesthetics.

Treatments – Invisalign or Veneers

Invisalign aligners are clear and discreet. You can get a straighter smile in as little as 12 months with fewer check-ups than braces. Dr. Atty Smith is a preferred Invisalign provider and can examine your smile to determine whether this treatment is best for you.

In cases of very minor crookedness, veneers are another possible option. These are thin porcelain shells which cover your teeth and can be helpful for many different cosmetic issues. However, this is not ideal for serious misalignment.

Cracks in Teeth

Cracked teeth can range from purely cosmetic to a serious dental issue. Superficial cracks, known as craze lines, are a common cause for self-consciousness and are associated with aging or stress on teeth. Deeper cracks, especially those that extend below the gum line, can damage the internal structure of the tooth and typically require more extensive intervention.

Treatments – Veneers, Bonding, or Crowns

Veneers are a great treatment for cosmetic cracks since they cover the surface of the tooth.  Dental bonding, which is the use of a composite material to make minor cosmetic adjustments, is also an option. While bonding is less durable than veneers, it is more cost-effective.

If the crack is serious, a dental crown may be necessary. In the most severe cases, you may need to have the tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant topped with a crown.

Gap Teeth

Some people enjoy the appearance of a gap between their teeth, whereas others do not. A gap between the two front teeth is usually the most noticeable, and therefore is more common for patients to seek treatment for.

Treatments – Veneers, Bonding, or Invisalign

Veneers can cover a small gap between teeth. Bonding can close a small to medium gap. If the gap is one of multiple orthodontic issues, then Invisalign may be beneficial. Our dentist can examine your gap and determine the best treatment(s) for your needs.

Stained or Discolored Teeth

Teeth can become discolored to stained due to aging, certain foods or drinks, or a variety of other causes. No matter why it happens, a stained or discolored smile is one of the most common cosmetic dental concerns.

Treatment – Whitening or Veneers

Teeth whitening is the most straight-forward solution for staining, and we offer both at-home and in-office solutions. In cases of severe discoloration, or if the yellow color is a result of exposed dentin, veneers may also be an option. Veneers are also more permanent and allow you to address multiple cosmetic issues at once.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Our Oro valley dentist’s office

At Smith Dentalworks, we can address the concerns listed above as well as other cosmetic issues. We also offer restorative and preventative dentistry.

If you have cosmetic dental issues you’d like to address, contact us today.

 

Having white teeth can boost your confidence and can also improve the impression you have on others since your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. There are many options for whitening your teeth, so it can be confusing to determine which is best for you. Some of these choices are better than others, and it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons of each when making a decision. Our dentist in Oro Valley shares these ways to whiten your smile:

Over-the-Counter Whitening

Over-the-counter whitening products, such as toothpastes and whitening strips, are often the first option that comes to mind for brightening your smile. However, they are generally only able to remove minor surface-level stains and the results do not last as long as professional whitening. They can also worsen issues like sensitivity or damage your gums if you use them improperly.

There’s not necessarily anything wrong with trying an over-the-counter option at first to see if you get the results you’d like, but keep in mind that you may not be satisfied with the level of whitening. You should also talk to your dentist first, especially if you have sensitive teeth, dental restorations, or very dark teeth.

Professional Whitening

Dentist-supervised whitening involves stronger products than what is available over the counter, which often allows you to achieve more noticeable results.

Our dentist in Oro Valley offers three options depending on your needs:

• In-Office Whitening: If you need fast results for a big event, we can brighten your teeth by six to eight shades within as little as two visits to our office. This option uses our strongest whitening gel and we pair it with fluoride to strengthen your teeth.
• Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays: Our custom teeth whitening trays are molded to your smile to protect your gums during the whitening process. This allows you to complete the whitening process at home.
• Ready-to-Use Kits: You can take home these whitening kits right away to start brightening your smile. While they aren’t custom-fit, they are still safe and effective.

Veneers or Bonding

In some cases, another cosmetic dental treatment may be a better fit than whitening in order to brighten your smile. This is often the case if you have very dark teeth, teeth with exposed dentin (the yellow layer under the enamel), or just one or a few teeth that are darker than the others.

Veneers are a great option to transform your smile and can address stained or discolored teeth in addition to other cosmetic concerns.

Dental bonding is another potential procedure. This works well if you have a small number of stained discolored teeth that stand out from the rest of your smile. 

Cosmetic Dentistry By our dentist in Oro Valley, AZ

If you want to transform your smile, we can help. Our dentist in Oro Valley is happy to discuss your options with you to help you determine what will be best for your needs and aesthetic goals. We offer teeth whitening as well as other cosmetic and restorative treatments.

To learn more about how we can whiten your teeth, contact us today.

Many people assume that all snoring is due to sleep apnea and that all sleep apnea involves snoring. This is some truth to this correlation given that snoring is one of the major symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is also among the most noticeable. However, not everyone who snores has OSA, and not everyone with this condition snores.

More information about snoring vs sleep apnea:

What is Snoring?

Snoring is a harsh sound that occurs during sleep when air flows past tissues within the throat, causing them to vibrate. It is fairly common and most individuals snore occasionally. When snoring is occurring every night or is a nuisance to anyone sleeping in the same room, it can be a more serious issue. Snoring can be a symptom of OSA, but it is not a medical condition in and of itself.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing periodically while asleep. This results in waking up throughout the night, which leads to fatigue during the day. When left untreated, sleep apnea can have a variety of consequences including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Snoring Without Sleep Apnea

Snoring that isn’t caused by sleep apnea is known as primary snoring. This can develop due to older age, which results in more relaxed throat muscles. Sleeping on your back can also increase the possibility of snoring. Snoring indicates a blockage in the upper airway and only a medical professional can determine if this is due to sleep apnea or if it is happening for another reason.

Sleep Apnea Without Snoring

Just like you can snore without having sleep apnea, you can also have sleep apnea without snoring. In these cases, patients still wake up and gasp for air during the night, but do not snore consistently enough for others to notice. In this case, patients may still notice other symptoms of sleep apnea.

What To Do If You Think You Have Sleep Apnea

While snoring is not always associated with sleep apnea, it is a frequent indicator of the condition. This means that if you are snoring or have any other symptoms, you should consider undergoing a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is the cause.

Some signs that snoring is associated with sleep apnea include:

• Snoring very loudly
• Gasping for air or choking
• Pausing breathing for ten seconds or longer

Non-snoring related symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating during the day

How We Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea and dentistry may not seem related at first, but dentists like Dr. Atty Smith are often able to catch early signs of sleep apnea and refer patients to medical professionals who can confirm this diagnosis. We are proud to offer a cutting-edge treatment for sleep apnea: the Vivos System. This is a custom oral appliance that actually corrects the issues that lead to sleep apnea, and most patients require no further intervention after they complete treatment.

To learn more about how we can treat your sleep apnea, contact us today.