Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by shallow breathing, frequent pauses in breath, and gasping for air during sleep. These interruptions, lasting from 5 to 60 seconds and occurring multiple times per hour, prevent the body from reaching deep, restorative sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the airway becomes blocked, often due to excess tissue, enlarged tonsils, or structural airway issues. Central sleep apnea (CSA) results from the brain failing to send proper signals to breathing muscles. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.

Common warning signs include loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and gasping or choking while sleeping. Treatment options range from lifestyle changes—such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and adjusting sleeping positions—to oral appliances that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep airways open.

At Griffith Family Dental, we offer custom-fitted dental appliances as a non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea, helping you breathe easier and sleep better.