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Teeth whitening treatments aim to give you natural-looking results you will be proud to show off. A single session can brighten your smile as many as nine shades from your starting tooth color. However, there is a fine line between whitening your teeth too much and not enough. If you are considering whitening your teeth, there are a few factors to account for when choosing the right shade for your smile. 

Factors to Consider Before Teeth Whitening Treatment

Choosing the right shade for your teeth before whitening treatment is critical because you want to aim for noticeable results that also look natural. There are no standard recommendations for teeth whiteness levels, but there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a specific shade of white. To decide on the perfect shade to whiten your teeth, consider the color of your existing teeth, dental restorations, visible stains, and physical features like the whites of your eyes.

Shade Range

The current shade of a person’s teeth will affect their ideal shade of white. Teeth are not always naturally white. Instead, they can vary in color depending on genetics, wear over time, poor brushing habits, and diet.

The four main teeth shades are:

• Shade A: reddish brown

• Shade B: reddish yellow

• Shade C: gray

• Shade D: reddish gray

Within each of these shade ranges, there are varying levels of lightness and darkness. Patients may have one or more of these tooth shades present or can fall within a particular category.

Teeth Restorations

One crucial factor to consider is that whitening treatments do not improve the shade of dental restorations like crowns, fillings, and veneers. For this reason, dentists often advise patients to select a shade of white that complements their dental work or to replace existing restorations with new ones that match the results of their whitening treatments. 

Visible Stains

Another consideration is the presence of visible, dark staining on your teeth. Stains caused by fluorosis, tetracycline antibiotics, or tooth decay typically do not respond well to teeth whitening treatments. In some cases, these stains may become more noticeable if the color of the teeth around them becomes whiter. Like with restorations, patients may want to choose a shade that blends well with any existing stains. Dentists can also use additional procedures like composite bonding to eliminate these issues.

Whites of Your Eyes

Patients can use the whites of their eyes as a guide when deciding on a teeth whitening shade. A shade close to this is ideal for your teeth, as whitening beyond the whites of your eyes can often cause your smile to look unnatural. 

Other Physical Features

Along with the whites of your eyes, finding the right shade for your smile relies on other physical features, such as eye color, hair color, and skin tone. Fairer skin tones can take on a brighter white, while people with darker complections may want to opt for a more neutral shade due to the potential contrast. 

Teeth Whitening Treatment in Oro Valley

Smith Dentalworks can help brighten your smile. We have several teeth whitening methods available, including in-office treatments, custom trays, and ready-to-use kits. Our team will discuss your options with you to help you select the treatment that best fits your lifestyle and budget. 

Contact us today to schedule a teeth whitening consultation.

Snoring is a common problem in the United States. If you are not among the 45% of adults who snore occasionally, you likely know someone who does. This occurrence is caused by the vibration of soft tissues in the upper airway that relax when people fall asleep. Depending on the severity of your snoring, many effective solutions can help both you and your partner sleep better at night.

Everyone responds differently, but three of the most effective tips for managing snoring are the following:

1. Make Bedtime Adjustments

Many people can reduce or eliminate snoring by making one or more simple adjustments at night.

Change Sleeping Position

How likely you are to snore at night depends on your sleeping position. People are more prone to snoring when they sleep on their backs due to their head position. If you snore at night and generally sleep on your back, try to fall asleep on your side instead.

Try a New Pillow

Wedging a pillow behind your back or head will help you maintain a side sleeping position. Allergens in your bedroom and pillow can also contribute to snoring. Washing your pillows every few weeks and replacing them every six months will keep them to a minimum. 

2. Make Lifestyle Changes

If you continue to snore after sleeping on your side and trying a new pillow, you may need to consider more significant lifestyle changes.

Lose Weight

Weight loss is one of the most effective treatments for snoring. If you are living with obesity or considered overweight, losing just a little bit of weight can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease or stop snoring. 

Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking is associated with increased snoring. Smoking irritates membranes in the nose and throat, blocking airways and causing snoring. Although quitting is often easier said than done, it can bring you snoring relief.

3. Consider Medical Treatments For Sleep Apnea

Snoring often indicates sleep apnea. Nearly 75% of snorers have this sleep disorder. The louder the snoring, the more likely it is to be related to this condition. If you complete a sleep study and discover your snoring is caused by sleep apnea, you should consider medical treatments to relieve this symptom. 

Vivos System

Altough a  continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea, the Vivos System is a non-surgical and pain-free alternative. This system involves wearing a custom oral appliance while you sleep to correct the deficiencies that lead to sleep apnea and snoring. It is a silent and easy-to-use treatment that requires no further intervention after your treatment period ends.

Sleep Apnea Treatment at Smith Dentalworks

If you or a family member’s snoring is due to sleep apnea, consider a consultation to learn if the Vivos System could help. At Smith Dentalworks, we are proud to work with our medical partners to provide this innovative treatment option.

To learn more about how to relieve your sleep apnea symptoms, contact us today.

Dental restorations provide many benefits and help create beautiful, seamless smiles. In many ways, they act like natural teeth. However, restorations and natural teeth are not the same material. The difference in material means that traditional teeth whitening procedures cannot whiten dental restorations. Despite this, there are some strategies to improve the shade of your smile in other ways.

What Are Dental Restorations?

Dental restorations are procedures dentists use to correct the loss of tooth structure caused by decay or injury. They repair cracked, chipped, and broken teeth or teeth affected by cavities. 

A few types of dental restorations dentists use are:

• Fillings are the most common restoration option, using a material to fill in small cavities in your teeth.
• Inlays/Onlays also fix cavities. They are more prominent than fillings and smaller than crowns.
• Crowns, or tooth caps, cover the tooth down to the gum line.
• Bridges are three to four crowns that cover gaps left by missing teeth. A crown or implant anchors bridges on either side.
• Implants are anchoring posts made of titanium that replace missing tooth roots.
• Bonding takes care of gaps, staining, chips, and crooked or unappealing teeth.
• Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells that cover the front surface of teeth to change their color, shape, size, or length.

• Will Teeth Whitening Treatments Damage Dental Restorations?

While teeth whitening will not affect their shade, it is still possible to undergo a procedure without damaging your dental restorations. During these procedures, hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals penetrate the natural tooth enamel to break down stains. For restorations, dentists use durable, nonporous materials that the whitening products are not strong enough to infiltrate. This process can make your previous dental work appear darker, however.

Whitening Dental Restorations

Since traditional tooth whitening will not work on restorations, many patients combine the procedure with other methods to get a bright, seamless smile.

Here are some strategies to get your dream smile despite being unable to whiten dental restorations:

Make Mindful Shade Choices

Your smile will only be as white as your restorations. If possible, whiten your teeth before dental work to ensure an ideal shade match. Shade-matching before treatment is the best way to get optimal results.

Replace Old Restorations After Whitening

You can also replace old dental crowns and other restorations after a whitening treatment. This way, you can match your new restorations to the new shade of your smile. Whitening your teeth will not provide immediate results, so dentists recommend you wait at least two weeks before scheduling an appointment for cosmetic work.

Take Care of Your Dental Restorations

Practicing good dental hygiene will help your dental restorations stay bright. Changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, including avoiding tobacco and limiting your intake of dark foods and beverages, will ensure their strength and beauty are long-lasting.

Choose Smith Dentalworks for Your Dental Restorations

Everyone deserves to feel confident in their smile. At Smith Dentalworks, we offer comprehensive dentistry services to fit your individualized needs. From crowns to dental implants to porcelain veneers, we are your source for restorations in Oro Valley and the surrounding communities. We also offer multiple teeth whitening services.

Contact our cosmetic dental office today to arrange a convenient time for your next visit.

Getting quality sleep each night is essential to maintaining good mental and physical health. However, many Americans are lacking in this area. According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults are regularly not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep does more than just make you feel groggy and grumpy – the long-term effects of sleep deprivation are real. 

What is Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is a general term that describes an inadequate amount of quality sleep. For most adults, this means getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every 24 hours. Sleep deprivation is categorized in different ways depending on the circumstances. Acute sleep deprivation describes a person experiencing a significant reduction in their sleep time for a few days or less, while chronic sleep deprivation is insufficient sleep that persists for three months or longer. 

What Causes Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is caused by a consistent lack of sleep or poor sleep quality. Several factors contribute to insufficient sleep. Voluntary choices like binge-watching a TV series can cause acute sleep deprivation. Work obligations, such as working multiple jobs, extended hours, or switching to a new shift, are another contributing factor. Certain habits like drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes close to bedtime can also inhibit sleep because they stimulate the nervous system.

Sleep deprivation may also occur due to sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. This disorder induces nightly awakenings that can hinder both sleep duration and quality. Other sleep disorders tied to sleep deprivation include narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders. Medical conditions or mental health problems like general anxiety disorder, depression, or cancer also cause sleep disturbances. 

Consequences of Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is a time for your body to heal, restore chemical balance, and help memory retention. Low-quality sleep or disruptions to the sleep-wake cycle cause short and long-term health problems.

Short-Term Consequences

The short-term consequences of sleep deprivation can negatively affect day-to-day functioning. 

These negative effects include:

• Lack of alertness
• Impaired memory
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Shortened attention span
• Loss of motivation 
• Poorer memory 
• Reduced work efficiency 
• Relationship stress

A lack of sleep can also limit your ability to pay attention, react quickly, and make decisions, all of which can lead to consequences like a greater likelihood of car accidents. 

Long-Term Consequences

There are long-term health effects of sleep deprivation as well. It can affect several systems crucial to bodily function, such as the central nervous, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems.

Too little sleep may increase the risk of:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease or heart attack
• Stroke
• Mental health disorders like depression or anxiety 
• Psychosis 
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Chronic pain
• Increase risk of injury 
• Hormonal abnormalities 
• Immunodeficiency 

Fight the Consequences of Sleep Apnea With the Vivos System

At Smith Dentalworks, we use the Vivos System to correct the deficiencies that lead to sleep apnea and prevent its consequences, such as sleep deprivation. This system is an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or surgical procedures. Most patients enjoy a vibrant, healthy life without further intervention after a treatment period of 12 to 24 months.

To learn more about the Vivos System, contact Smith Dentalworks today.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, causing you to stop breathing for short intervals while you sleep. If left untreated, this disorder can lead to significant health effects including heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term risks. So, how is sleep apnea diagnosed? Let’s dive into the two most common methods: in-lab and at-home sleep studies.

Diagnosis

To diagnose sleep apnea, you must first consult with your doctor about your symptoms. Common symptoms include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and mood disturbances. From there, you will likely be referred to a sleep specialist, who will determine if you need further evaluation. An evaluation typically involves monitoring your breathing and other body functions while you sleep, either in a lab or at home.

In-Lab Sleep Study

A nocturnal polysomnogram (PSG) is a test performed at a sleep center under the supervision of a trained specialist. During the test, you will be hooked up to equipment that monitors the activity of your heart, lungs, and brain, breathing patterns, arm and leg movement, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Once the PSG is complete, your specialist will tally the number of times you stopped breathing during sleep and grade the severity of your sleep apnea.

At-Home Sleep Test

Another way to detect sleep apnea is through a home sleep test (HST). This is a modified version of nocturnal polysomnography that is done in the comfort of your own home. It records fewer bodily functions than an in-lab test, but can still be used to confirm a diagnosis.

An HST has more limitations than a PSG. It is not used for patients without symptoms or who have significant medical problems like heart failure or neuromuscular disease. It is also not appropriate for those who have other sleep disorders in addition to the suspected sleep apnea.

Additional Evaluation

While both methods of sleep study help diagnose sleep apnea, they do not provide the location of the obstruction, so additional evaluation of the upper airway is necessary. One way to find the obstruction is through a nasopharyngoscopy, a procedure that introduces a flexible endoscope through the nose and throat to observe the structures that compromise the airflow. An alternative method is a sleep endoscopy, which is similar to a nasopharyngoscopy but is performed under mild sedation.

Treatment Options

Sometimes, lifestyle changes like losing weight, using a special sleep apnea pillow, or changing your sleeping position are all that are required to treat sleep apnea. In more severe cases, however, patients may require medical treatments. The most common device used for treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This device uses a small mask to increase pressure in your airway while you sleep.

At Smith Dentalworks, we use the Vivos System as an alternative to CPAP. This system involves a collaboration between our dental office and a physician to create a custom oral appliance for you. Unlike other sleep apnea treatments, the Vivos System corrects the deficiencies that lead to obstructive sleep apnea and only requires a treatment period of 12 to 24 months.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Oro Valley

The first step in treating sleep apnea is reaching a diagnosis. At Smith Dentalworks, we partner with Vivos-approved specialists to complete a sleep wellness assessment. Then, our team will work with your doctor to execute your personalized treatment plan. We are dedicated to improving your quality of sleep and overall well-being.

If you are tired of feeling exhausted due to sleep apnea, contact Smith Dentalworks today.

Invisalign and braces are the two most popular orthodontic treatments that gradually straighten your teeth. While both options yield impressive results, it is important to consider a few factors to determine which will work best for you. From comfort to convenience, we’ve got it covered. Below is everything you need to know about the debate of Invisalign vs braces.

Oral Hygiene

Invisalign

Cleaning your teeth should be a priority regardless of any orthodontic treatments you may have.

With Invisalign, your oral hygiene routine will not see many changes. Since the retainers are removable, you can continue brushing and flossing as you did previously. 

Braces

If you choose braces, your oral hygiene routine may need to be more involved than before. Certain foods can easily get stuck in the metal brackets and wires, so you need to brush your teeth after every meal. You should also consider investing in a water pick for flossing.

Appearance

Invisalign

Invisalign aligners blow braces away in terms of appearance. The clear trays have a discreet, nearly-invisible look that is especially appealing to adults. Self-conscious teens also appreciate Invisalign because other people can’t notice their treatment.

Braces

Many people don’t like the look of traditional braces. While some kids enjoy picking out different colored bands for their braces, other patients think they are bulky and feel self-conscious wearing braces.

Comfort

Invisalign

While straightening teeth with either device is inevitably going to be uncomfortable, there are fewer mouth and gum problems associated with Invisalign. The trays are made of plastic that is fitted to a patient’s mouth, applying less pressure to the teeth overall. They are also removable, so you can get temporary relief throughout the day when you take them out.

Braces

It takes time to get used to braces. They can be uncomfortable and irritating in the early weeks of treatment, as well as each time the orthodontist tightens them. The sharp edges of braces often cut the inner lip and tongue as well.

Effectiveness

Invisalign

Invisalign trays can be just as effective as braces if patients comply with the suggested use of time. If you wear the aligners less than 22 hours per day, your treatment plan will take longer to complete. If you follow your orthodontist’s directions, however, you can straighten your teeth in a year.

Braces

Braces cannot be removed and therefore are always worn for the length of time recommended by the orthodontist. They are also a good choice for more complex corrections because they use anchors and an archwire rather than plastic to pull teeth into place. They can treat multiple dental and facial issues at once as well, taking an average of two years to work.

Convenience

Invisalign

Both treatment options have pros and cons in terms of convenience. There are no food restrictions with Invisalign because you are required to take the trays out during eating and drinking, but remembering to take them out and store them properly may be overlooked.

Braces

Braces are convenient because they never have to be removed, but not being able to eat certain foods can be a nuisance. 

Invisalign Treatment in Oro Valley

No matter what treatment you choose, the most important part of transforming your smile is the dental professional you choose. If you are looking for an informative and individualized dental office, we are happy to welcome you to Smith Dentalworks. We strive to make our high-quality Invisalign treatment accessible for all patients.

To learn more about our Invisalign treatments, reach out to our office today.

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.