Sleep Apnea & Snoring

More than 22 million Americans live with sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition that makes it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep. At All Smiles Dental Care in Hazlet, New Jersey, experienced dentist Charanjit Sandhu, DDS, provides treatment for sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Using laboratory-fabricated appliances and custom treatments, she can minimize snoring and jaw pain, improving your quality of life. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book online today. 

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing multiple times during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea. Each occurs due to different mechanisms, but all present virtually the same symptoms.

Sleep apnea increases your risk of more serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease without early intervention and treatment. Fortunately, with the help of a qualified medical professional like Dr. Sandhu, it’s possible to treat.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
• Morning headaches

If you have sleep apnea, you might find it challenging to pay attention at work or while driving.

How is sleep apnea treated?

If your primary care physician determines you have sleep apnea, they can refer you to Dr. Sandhu for treatment. 

Usually, Dr. Sandhu recommends conservative treatments like losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills.

If your symptoms persist even after these changes, you might benefit from a custom-made laboratory-fabricated appliance like a nightguard. A night guard is a plastic mouthpiece that you wear during sleep. It pushes your bottom jaw slightly forward, allowing for better airflow. 

You might also benefit from continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy.

What is TMJ?

TMJ refers to temporomandibular joint disorders. Your temporomandibular joints act like sliding hinges and connect your jaw to your skull. They allow you to speak, bite, and chew. Some people experience persistent jaw pain in and around the temporomandibular joints.

Nobody knows why TMJ occurs, but it’s thought that a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and general wear-and-tear plays a role. Regardless of the underlying cause, it’s possible to safely and effectively treat it.

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

Symptoms of TMJ include:

• Jaw pain and tenderness
• Ear pain
• Aching facial pain
• Difficulty chewing

If you have TMJ, you might also notice that your jaw makes a popping or clicking noise whenever you yawn, bite, or speak.

How is TMJ treated?

At All Smiles Dental Care, Dr. Sandu treats TMJ using a holistic, integrative approach. She has a team of Reiki therapists on staff who can recommend yoga poses for relief. If necessary, Reiki therapists might recommend Reiki therapy, digitation, or breathing exercises. 

If you’re suffering from TMJ or sleep apnea, schedule an appointment at All Smiles Dental Care. Call the office or book online today.