1/29/25
 
Today, our guest speaker was Dr. Michael Koehne, DDS, DABDSM. Dr. Mike and his team operate the Amber Dental and the Wheaton Dental Sleep Center.
 
 
What is sleep apnea? 
Sleep apnea is a chronic disease/sleeping disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and depression. It is estimated that 26
percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 years have sleep apnea.
 
Common Symptoms:
  • Loud snoring.
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
  • Gasping for air during sleep.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
  • Difficulty paying attention while awake.
  • Irritability.
Risk factors include
  • Excess weight. 
  • Neck circumference. 
  • A narrowed airway. 
  • Being male. 
  • Being older. 
  • Family history. 
  • Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. 
  • Smoking. 
  • Nasal congestion. 
  • Medical conditions including congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
Treatment options:
Wheaton Dental Sleep Center provides oral device therapy. For some patients, oral device therapy can be completely effective at stopping their snoring caused by sleep apnea. Oral devices are more effective for people who suffer from mild or moderate sleep apnea. Oral Device therapy is an alternative to use of a CPAP machine (which some people find cumbersome or uncomfortable). Oral device therapy involves using a type of appliance that is similar to a mouthguard.
 
Additional information regarding treatment of sleep apnea:  
  • https://wheatondentalsleepcenter.com/what-is-sleep-apnea/
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377636