Sleep apnea affects many people in our community, often without them realizing that their snoring or daytime exhaustion is tied to a medical condition. At Kuhn Dental Associates, we provide comprehensive dental care in Moore County, which includes helping patients protect their long-term health by promoting better sleep and breathing at night.

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can lead to fragmented rest, oxygen deprivation, and serious health risks over time, which is why we place a strong emphasis on providing comfortable and effective sleep apnea treatment for patients in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues in the back of the throat relax and partially or entirely block the airway during sleep. The brain senses that it is not getting enough oxygen and briefly wakes you so you can take a breath.

Even if you do not remember waking up, this cycle can repeat dozens of times per hour. Over time, this pattern prevents deep, restorative sleep and puts strain on many bodily systems.

How Sleep Apnea Disrupts Your Sleep

When your airway collapses, your body shifts into a stress response that pulls you out of deeper sleep stages. As this continues throughout the night, your sleep quality drops, even if you feel like you are sleeping for a full eight hours.

This disruption often leads to:

  • Light, unrefreshing sleep
  • Frequent awakenings or restlessness
  • Waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed

Common Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people attribute their symptoms to stress, aging, or a busy schedule. Recognizing the warning signs of sleep apnea can help you decide when it is time to schedule an evaluation.

Nighttime Sleep Apnea Signs

Nighttime symptoms are often noticed first by a bed partner. They may see or hear things that you do not.

Common nighttime signs include:

  • Loud, persistent snoring
  • Pauses in breathing followed by gasping or choking
  • Restless sleep or frequent position changes
  • Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Getting up multiple times at night to use the bathroom

Daytime Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Daytime symptoms can affect your work, relationships, and safety.

You may notice:

  • Excessive daytime fatigue or sleepiness
  • Morning headaches that slowly fade
  • Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
  • Irritability, mood swings, or low patience
  • Nodding off while watching TV, reading, or sitting quietly

Emotional and Cognitive Changes

Sleep apnea affects more than just your energy level. Poor sleep and low oxygen can also impact how clearly you think and how you feel emotionally. Patients often describe feeling foggy, overwhelmed, or more anxious than usual, even when nothing in their life has changed.

Non-Invasive Sleep Apnea Treatment in Moore County

Our goal is to help you breathe better at night using solutions that are both effective and realistic for everyday life. For many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, we recommend custom oral appliance therapy as a comfortable alternative to a CPAP machine.

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?

A sleep apnea oral appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard, but it is designed to reposition your lower jaw slightly forward so your airway stays more open.

Patients appreciate that it is:

  • Custom fitted and comfortable
  • Quiet and easy to wear nightly
  • Compact and simple to travel with
  • Non-invasive, with no mask or tubing

Because it is so simple to use, many people find that they can stay consistent with treatment, which is essential for long-term results.

Oral Appliance Therapy vs CPAP

CPAP therapy uses air pressure delivered through a mask to keep the airway open. While effective, some patients struggle with mask leaks, noise, or a feeling of claustrophobia. Oral appliance therapy can be a good option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP or who prefer a smaller, more portable solution based on their diagnosis.

What To Expect at Your Sleep Apnea Visit

During your visit, we talk with you about your sleep history, symptoms, and health concerns. We review any sleep study results you may have and perform a thorough exam of your teeth, jaws, and airway. If an oral appliance is right for you, we take impressions or digital scans and then fit and adjust your appliance once it is ready. Follow up visits allow us to check your progress and make sure you are sleeping and feeling better.

Who Is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, including women and younger adults, but some people face higher risk than others. Understanding these factors can help you know when to take symptoms seriously.

Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

  • Excess weight or a larger neck circumference
  • Being middle aged or older
  • A family history of sleep apnea
  • Smoking or heavy alcohol use, especially at night
  • A narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or a recessed jaw

Even if you have only one of these factors, it is essential to pay attention to snoring, breathing pauses, or unexplained fatigue.

The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than just a snoring problem. If left untreated, it can affect major organs and increase your risk for serious health issues.

Cardiovascular and Blood Pressure Risks

Repeated drops in oxygen levels cause the heart to work harder, which can lead to increased blood pressure and strain on the cardiovascular system. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke

Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolism, and Weight Control

Sleep plays a key role in hormone balance and blood sugar regulation. When sleep apnea disrupts your rest, it can lead to insulin resistance and make it harder to lose weight or manage type 2 diabetes. Many patients find that treating their sleep apnea also improves their energy and motivation to exercise.

Brain Health, Memory, and Mood

Your brain depends on steady oxygen and quality sleep to function properly. People with untreated sleep apnea often report forgetfulness, slower thinking, and emotional ups and downs. Over time, this can affect performance at work and enjoyment of daily life.

Immune Function, Safety, and Everyday Quality of Life

Poor sleep weakens the immune system, making it easier to contract illnesses and harder to recover from them. Daytime drowsiness also increases the risk of accidents at work or while driving, which is one of the most serious everyday dangers associated with this condition.

The Connection Between TMJ, Jaw Position, and Sleep Apnea

Jaw position, airway space, and muscle balance are closely related, which is why some patients experience both sleep apnea and TMJ concerns. When we evaluate you, we examine how your bite, jaw joints, and airway work together.

Patients who struggle with TMJ and jaw pain may also clench or grind their teeth at night as the body tries to keep the airway open. This extra strain can worsen headaches, facial soreness, and neck tension.

Shared Symptoms and Overlapping Issues

Symptoms that may overlap between TMJ problems and sleep apnea include:

  • Morning headaches
  • Jaw soreness or stiffness
  • Facial pain or pressure
  • Clicking or popping in the jaw
  • Difficulty staying asleep or waking unrefreshed

Because these issues can feed into each other, addressing only one problem may not fully resolve your discomfort.

How TMJ and Sleep Apnea Care Work Together

At Kuhn Dental Associates, Dr. Mandy Grimshaw and Dr. Ritt Kuhn consider both jaw function and airway health when planning treatment. By taking a broader perspective, we can develop solutions that support more comfortable jaw movement and improved breathing at night.

Sleep Apnea Signs and Dangers FAQs

Patients often have similar questions when they first learn about sleep apnea. These answers can help you decide when to take the next step and schedule a consultation.

The most common signs include loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping or choking at night, morning headaches, and daytime fatigue. If these symptoms sound familiar, it is important to talk with a dental or medical provider.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but loud, chronic snoring that disturbs others or is paired with breathing pauses, choking, or daytime sleepiness can be a warning sign that should not be ignored.

If sleep apnea is not treated, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, mood changes, memory problems, and accidents caused by fatigue. It can also lower your overall quality of life.

A dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can evaluate your airway, review your symptoms, and work with your sleep physician to create a custom oral appliance. This gives many patients a comfortable, easy-to-use option for improving their sleep.

For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom oral appliance can be a very effective solution. The best choice depends on your diagnosis and individual needs, which we discuss with you in detail.

Sleep apnea does not always cause TMJ issues, but clenching and grinding to maintain an open airway can make TMJ symptoms worse. Treating both problems together often leads to better, longer-lasting relief.

If you snore loudly, feel exhausted during the day, or have been told that you stop breathing in your sleep, it is a good idea to talk with a provider about a sleep evaluation. A sleep study gives a clear diagnosis and helps guide effective treatment.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep

If you recognize the signs or dangers of sleep apnea in yourself or someone you love, we are here to help. Dr. Mandy Grimshaw and Dr. Ritt Kuhn provide patient-centered care focused on comfort, health, and practical solutions that fit your life. Call our office at (910) 692-4450 or click the button below to schedule a sleep apnea consultation and take the next step toward safer, more restful sleep.