How Can I Treat My Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring, it’s a medical condition that can seriously impact your sleep quality, daily energy, and overall health. Left untreated, it can contribute to high blood pressure, heart issues, mood disorders, and chronic fatigue. The good news? There are effective, dental-focused solutions that can help you breathe better, sleep soundly, and wake up feeling refreshed.
At Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry in Cupertino, we’re here to help you explore treatment options that go beyond the standard CPAP. From custom oral appliances to lifestyle guidance, our team is ready to support your journey toward better sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. There are three main types:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type, caused by a blockage of the airway when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Less common, this type occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Common symptoms include loud, chronic snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness. Many patients don’t realize they have sleep apnea until a partner notices or a health provider investigates ongoing fatigue or snoring.
Dental Sleep Apnea Treatments: A Comfortable Alternative to CPAP
While CPAP machines are often prescribed for moderate to severe sleep apnea, they aren’t for everyone. Many patients struggle with the bulk, noise, or discomfort of traditional CPAP therapy — which is where dental solutions come in.
At our practice, we offer custom oral appliances designed to reposition your jaw and keep your airway open while you sleep. These devices are:
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Silent and portable (perfect for travel)
- Non-invasive and often covered by insurance
We work closely with sleep physicians to ensure you get a proper diagnosis and the most effective treatment plan — no bulky machinery required.
Supportive Lifestyle Changes
In addition to dental appliances, small lifestyle shifts can make a big difference in your sleep apnea symptoms. We encourage patients to consider:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Extra tissue around the throat can contribute to airway obstruction.
- Changing your sleep position: Sleeping on your side helps prevent your tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway.
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking: Both can relax or inflame airway muscles, making symptoms worse.
Our team is happy to offer practical, personalized tips to help you optimize your results.
When Is Surgery an Option?
Surgical treatment for sleep apnea is typically reserved for severe cases where other treatments have failed. These procedures focus on removing or repositioning tissue that’s obstructing airflow. While we don’t offer surgical interventions at our practice, we can refer you to trusted specialists if needed.
Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep in Cupertino
At Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe great sleep is essential to a great life. If you’ve been struggling with loud snoring, fatigue, or diagnosed sleep apnea, our dental sleep solutions may be the comfortable alternative you’ve been looking for.
Call us today to schedule your sleep apnea consultation in Cupertino, CA — and take the first step toward quieter nights, deeper sleep, and brighter mornings.
