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Santa Monica Apnea Treatment Malibu, CA

Santa Monica Apnea Treatment

If are searching for sleep apnea treatment in the Santa Monica area, turn to Bob Perkins, DDS. Sleep apnea affects an estimated 5-10% of Americans, with most of those individuals suffering from the obstructive form of this disorder. When there is an airway obstruction that occurs while you are sleeping, you can stop breathing. When you stop for ten seconds or more several times a night, this is considered sleep apnea and can be destructive to your health. At Bob Perkins, DDS, we have effective methods for treating sleep apnea to protect our Santa Monica patients’ health.

Sleep apnea cuts off oxygen to the body throughout the night. This can lead to hypertension and headaches, with a higher risk for stroke and type 2 diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused or impacted by many factors, including obesity, smoking, alcohol use, TMJ and jaw misalignment. When the tongue and soft tissues in the mouth press against the airway when sleeping, it can cause a blockage and stop the breathing. Those with sleep apnea often snore loudly, gasp and choke in their sleep.

TMJ, Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea Treatment in the Santa Monica Area

In many cases, sleep apnea can be treated through repositioning the jaw or teeth. For those with TMJ, the jaw may shift backwards due to worn teeth or a damaged jaw joint. This positions the tongue further back in the mouth, pressing against the airway. Orthodontic issues can have the same effect. At Bob Perkins, DDS, serving the Santa Monica area, we work on realigning the jaw by treating TMJ or orthodontic issues with our innovative neuromuscular dental procedures and orthodontic care.

We use options such as physical therapy, expansion orthodontic appliances, jaw repositioning and orthodontic aligners to treat our patients with sleep apnea. This can shift the jaw into the correct position and put less pressure on the soft palate, stopping nocturnal obstructions. If you live in the Santa Monica area and suffer from sleep apnea, contact our office today. We can perform a thorough exam to determine whether TMJ, dental or orthodontic issues are causing your sleep apnea and offer treatment for relief.