Even though sleep apnea is fairly common, it’s still a condition people know little about. People generally know about the connection between sleep apnea and snoring, but does that mean if you snore, then you have it?
Others might be familiar with the fact that it’s a condition that disrupts your sleep, but they may not know much about sleep deprivation and the threat it poses to your health.
You can find the real truth about sleep apnea and ways to treat it with help from our team at Restorative & Implant Dentistry. When you visit our Pompano Beach dental office, we can help determine if sleep apnea is affecting you and come up with solutions so you can rest at night.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common misconceptions about sleep apnea.

Myth #1 – Sleep apnea isn’t that serious.

Sleep apnea is quite serious. It goes far beyond a little sleep deprivation. Sleep apnea is ongoing, night after night. So you might try to tell yourself you can catch up on sleep, but sleep apnea never really gives you the chance.
First, you have the initial effects of sleep apnea to deal with:
-Moodiness and irritability
-Inability to concentrate
-Exhaustion
It’s hard enough to make it through the day with symptoms like that. They make you miserable, and chances are, they make those who have to live with you miserable, too. Letting sleep apnea go untreated only makes the problems worse. Studies link sleep apnea to more serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression, just to name a few.

Myth #2 – If you have a snoring problem, then you have sleep apnea.

When you have sleep apnea, your airways tighten slowly to the point where no air can pass through. The loud snoring happens because although your airways are closed, you’re still trying to pass air in and out of your airways.
But snoring can be caused by a number of factors, not just sleep apnea. Certain prescription medications, alcohol, and exhaustion can all cause you to snore loudly, but these wouldn’t explain loud snoring that happens just about every night. If you snore badly night after night, then it would make sense to be tested for sleep apnea.

Myth #3 – Sleep apnea only affects men who are overweight.

The truth is that sleep apnea doesn’t discriminate. Yes, people who are overweight do have more of a tendency to snore loudly, sleep apnea can affect a person regardless of how thin or physically fit they are or are not.
In the same way, sleep apnea isn’t a condition that’s exclusive to men. Since snoring is one of the most obvious signs of sleep apnea, and people associate snoring more with men than with women, they tend to think women aren’t at risk. But again, sleep apnea doesn’t discriminate, and women can suffer from this condition, too.

Myth #4 – A CPAP machine is the only sleep apnea solution.

CPAP machines are the most common form of treatment for sleep apnea. It’s a device that moves air constantly through a hose connected to a mask that you wear while you sleep. While a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is certainly effective in treating sleep apnea, it’s not the only method available to those who suffer from this condition.
At Restorative & Implant Dentistry, we offer our sleep apnea patients an alternative to the CPAP method. Some people prefer not to wear a mask while they sleep because they feel it’s uncomfortable. That’s why we find oral appliances for sleep apnea an effective method of treatment.
We custom-fit you with a mouthguard that pushes out your lower jaw. This keeps your airway open all throughout the night so you can breathe more easily. It’s a great way to get the rest you need without the hassle of a CPAP machine that requires you to not only be diligent about keeping it clean but to also sleep near an outlet.
Isn’t it time you got the sleep you desperately need? Stop believing the myths about sleep apnea and make an appointment at Restorative & Implant Dentistry. We can set you up for a Mallampati test and find out if you’re suffering from sleep apnea so you can get the treatment you need.
Call our Pompano Beach dental office today at 954-590-0538 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.