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Family Owned
In Operation for 30 Years
Pinhole® Surgical Technique
“Dr. Eaton is someone who you can easily talk with. Very approachable and personable.”
Read through the information below to learn more about the variety of additional services available from the experienced team here at family-owned Valley Dental.
Thanks to 30 years in business, we have the knowledge and expertise it takes to provide you with the caring, professional service you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Do You Suffer From Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition that causes your airway to become blocked during sleep, interfering with your breathing and rest. Patients who suffer from OSA can experience constant fatigue, mood changes, and other symptoms that diminish their quality of life.
If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, we can often effectively treat sleep apnea with a custom-made oral appliance. The appliance is worn during sleep and helps to gently move the jaw into proper position.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea and Restore Your Quality of Life
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause interruptions to regular breathing hundreds of times per night, for a few seconds to a minute or more. These constant interruptions of sleep dramatically affect your quality of life, and can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, and even more dangerous complications if left untreated.
Dr. Matthew Eaton and Dr. Meghan Smith at Valley Dental offer sleep apnea treatment in Fargo, ND. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the harmful symptoms of sleep apnea, contact our practice today to schedule your consultation.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes shallow breathing or pauses in breathing while sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. A number of causes have been identified, but the most common factor is a narrowing of the throat. During sleep, muscles in the throat relax, and your airway can become partially or fully blocked when other conditions exist:
- Excess fat tissue, as a result of obesity
- Overly relaxed tongue and throat muscles
- Large tongue and tonsils, relative to the windpipe opening
- Smaller airway size, due to greater neck circumference
Sleep apnea is more common in men than women, and more than 50% of patients with sleep apnea are overweight. It is very common for sleep apnea to go undiagnosed, as doctors usually cannot detect the disorder during regular office visits.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Detection of sleep apnea can be difficult. The symptoms experienced during waking hours primarily relate to the lack of restful sleep, which can also be associated with a variety of other conditions. Unless a sleeping partner notices that you are snoring or experiencing restless sleep at night, it can be difficult to diagnose or recognize.
Common indications of sleep apnea can include morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory or learning difficulties, mood swings, daytime sleepiness, and a dry mouth or a sore throat upon waking.
The most serious concerns occur as patients’ sleep when patients snore loudly and experience choking or gasping following pauses in their breathing. This can bring the brain out of restful sleep, causing frequent waking for urination during the night, in addition to restless sleep.
Treatment Options
At Valley Dental, we can provide custom oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. These devices can be worn while sleeping, and they lightly rest on teeth. The appliances will gently move the jaw and tongue forward as you sleep, keeping the airway open.
For some patients, additional adjustments to the appliance may be necessary to achieve the most comfortable fit.
Custom oral appliances can immediately stop the snoring, choking, and gasping that occur during sleep. The devices can also resolve daytime symptoms as you continue to achieve more restful sleep. Custom oral appliances can dramatically improve the quality of life for sleep apnea patients and their partners.
Achieve More Restful Sleep
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that causes millions of Americans to go without the restful sleep they need. If you or a loved one are affected by the symptoms of sleep apnea, contact our practice today and visit valleydentalsleeptherapy.com for more information.
