Do you wake up feeling tired even after what should have been a full night's sleep? Does your partner complain that you snore loudly? Maybe you've noticed that you wake up with a dry mouth, struggle with daytime fatigue, or occasionally wake up feeling like you can't catch your breath.
These symptoms can have many possible causes, but they can also be signs of sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder that can affect your health, energy, and quality of life. The good news is that you don't have to figure it out alone. Your dentist can be an important part of identifying possible signs of sleep apnea and helping you explore treatment options.
At Kanellis Family Dentistry in Sparks, NV, Dr. Kanellis provides sleep apnea screenings and works with sleep specialists when sleep apnea is suspected. For patients who are diagnosed and appropriate candidates, our practice offers custom oral appliances designed to help keep the airway open during sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops or becomes significantly restricted during sleep.
There are different types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. It occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep, interrupting normal breathing.
These interruptions can happen repeatedly throughout the night. You may not remember waking up each time, but the disrupted sleep can leave you feeling exhausted during the day.
Because sleep apnea affects breathing during sleep, it is more than simply a problem with snoring.
What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea doesn't look exactly the same in everyone. Some people experience obvious nighttime symptoms, while others primarily notice changes in their daytime energy and concentration.
Common signs can include:
Loud, Persistent Snoring
Snoring is one of the most recognizable symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when it is loud and occurs regularly.
However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone with sleep apnea snores loudly. Snoring is a reason to pay attention to your sleep health, but it isn't enough by itself to confirm a diagnosis.
Pauses in Breathing During Sleep
A partner or family member may notice that you appear to stop breathing for short periods during the night. These pauses can be followed by gasping, choking, snorting, or suddenly taking a deep breath. Because you're asleep, you may not realize this is happening.
Gasping or Struggling to Breathe
Some people with sleep apnea wake up suddenly feeling like they need to catch their breath.
You might experience this as:
- Gasping
- Choking
- Shortness of breath
- A sudden feeling of needing air
- Repeated nighttime awakenings
These symptoms shouldn't be ignored.
Excessive Daytime Fatigue
If your sleep is repeatedly interrupted, you may wake up feeling as though you barely slept.
Daytime symptoms can include:
- Persistent tiredness
- Low energy
- Difficulty staying awake
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling mentally foggy
- Reduced alertness
You may assume you're simply not getting enough sleep, when the quality of your sleep could actually be the issue.
Morning Headaches
Some people with sleep apnea experience headaches when they wake up. While morning headaches can have many possible causes, recurring headaches combined with other sleep-related symptoms are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat
Waking up with a consistently dry mouth or sore throat may be related to breathing through your mouth during sleep.
If dry mouth is happening regularly—especially alongside snoring or daytime fatigue—it is worth mentioning during a dental or medical visit.
Irritability or Mood Changes
Poor-quality sleep can affect how you feel throughout the day.
You may notice increased irritability, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, or simply feeling unlike yourself.
Sleep problems can affect both physical and mental well-being, so persistent changes shouldn't be dismissed as simply being tired.
Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Oral Health?
It can.
People with sleep apnea may experience dry mouth due to mouth breathing. Reduced saliva can make it more difficult for the mouth to naturally wash away food particles and neutralize acids.
Dry mouth can contribute to problems such as tooth decay, bad breath, and gum irritation.
That's one reason dentists can be valuable members of a patient's sleep health team. During a dental visit, your dentist may notice oral signs or symptoms that warrant further discussion.
Is Snoring Always Sleep Apnea?
Snoring can occur for many reasons, including sleeping position, nasal congestion, anatomy, alcohol use, and other factors.
However, loud or frequent snoring—especially when combined with pauses in breathing, gasping, daytime fatigue, or morning headaches—may warrant further evaluation.
Rather than trying to diagnose yourself based on one symptom, consider the overall pattern.
What Should You Do If You Think You Have Sleep Apnea?
The first step is to talk with a qualified healthcare professional. You can mention your concerns to your dentist at Kanellis Family Dentistry, primary care provider, or another healthcare professional involved in your care.
At Kanellis Family Dentistry, a sleep apnea screening can help Dr. Kanellis determine whether your symptoms or oral findings suggest that further evaluation may be appropriate. If sleep apnea is suspected, our
practice coordinates with a sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.
That distinction is important: a screening is not the same as a diagnosis. A sleep specialist or other qualified medical professional may recommend a sleep study or other diagnostic evaluation to determine whether you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea, your overall health, and other individual factors.
Common treatment options may include:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Oral appliance therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Positional therapy
- Other medical or surgical treatments when appropriate
Your healthcare team can help determine which approach is appropriate for you.
How Can a Dental Sleep Apnea Appliance Help?
For appropriate patients, an oral appliance may be used to help manage obstructive sleep apnea. At Kanellis Family Dentistry, custom oral appliances, also called mandibular repositioning appliances, are designed to help reposition the jaw and maintain a more open airway during sleep. Oral appliances can be a comfortable alternative to a CPAP machine for some patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Oral appliance therapy isn't right for everyone, however. A proper diagnosis and evaluation are important before determining whether an appliance is an appropriate treatment option.
What Happens During a Sleep Apnea Screening at the Dentist?
Your appointment may include a discussion of your symptoms, sleep habits, and overall health.
Your dentist may also evaluate your mouth, jaw, teeth, and other structures that can be relevant to airway and sleep concerns.
If your symptoms suggest possible sleep apnea, your dentist can recommend the next step, which may involve evaluation by a sleep specialist.
If you're ultimately diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and are a candidate for oral appliance therapy, your dental team can discuss whether a custom appliance may be appropriate.
Why Should Sleep Apnea Be Taken Seriously?
Sleep apnea can affect more than how rested you feel in the morning. Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with a range of health concerns, which is why identifying and treating the condition is important.
If you regularly experience loud snoring, breathing interruptions, gasping during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, or other symptoms, don't simply assume that poor sleep is something you have to live with. Getting evaluated is the first step toward understanding what's actually happening.
Don't Ignore the Signs of Sleep Apnea
You don't need to have every symptom on the list to warrant a conversation about sleep apnea. If a partner has noticed that you stop breathing during sleep, or you're regularly waking up exhausted despite getting enough hours of sleep, it's worth bringing up with a healthcare professional. A sleep apnea screening with your trusted dental team in Sparks can be a convenient starting point, particularly if you're already noticing oral symptoms such as dry mouth.
Get Started With Sleep Apnea Screening in Sparks, NV
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you don't have to navigate the process on your own. At Kanellis Family Dentistry in Sparks, NV, Dr. Kanellis offers sleep apnea screenings and coordinates with sleep specialists when a patient may need further evaluation. For patients who receive a diagnosis and are appropriate candidates, our practice also provides custom oral appliances designed to support better airflow during sleep.
If you're experiencing persistent snoring, nighttime breathing interruptions, morning headaches, dry mouth, or unexplained daytime fatigue, schedule a sleep apnea screening with Kanellis Family Dentistry to take the first step toward understanding your symptoms.
