LIFESTYLE

The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ is a dental clinic dedicated to helping you achieve the lifestyle you want. By treating your TMJ and Sleep apnea, we remove some of the obstacles between where you are and where you want to be!

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A Better Quality of Life

For many patients, relatively simple lifestyle changes can make a significant impact on the severity of their sleep disordered breathing and TMJ related pain.

Man Sleeping — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

Simple changes that make an impact:

Weight loss
Avoidance of sedatives and/or alcohol before bed
Avoiding sleep on your back
Reduce night time stress

However, if you are not significantly overweight, don’t use alcohol/sedatives, or don’t sleep on your back, then these changes will have little effect.

In cases such as these, you should seek the advice of your family doctor to evaluate for a possible sleep disorder. While sleep apnea just a few years ago was considered to be a disease of “fat, older men,” doctors are now finding significant sleep apnea in thin women and even children.

Sleep Apnea is a serious medical concern. Find out how we can help.

Is sleep apnea genetic?

What are my treatment options?

What is AHI?

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sleep apnea affect my overall health?

Sleep apnea can worsen other health problems by causing intermittent drops in blood oxygen levels, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the disrupted sleep patterns associated with sleep apnea can also lead to daytime fatigue, depression, and poor concentration, which can negatively impact overall health and well-being.
Does sleep apnea occur in children?
Sleep apnea also affects children. Usually, this is due to the child having large tonsils that obstruct the airway; just like in adults, often snoring is a sign of an obstructed airway. Some of the problems common in children that have been linked to sleep apnea include:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Mood disorders
- Bedwetting
- Problems learning
- Growth problems
How does sleep apnea affect my bed partner?

Sleep apnea can also adversely affect the sleep of the bed partner of the person with sleep apnea. Please click the link to read a study done by the Mayo Clinic on the effect of Sleep Apnea and Snoring on the Bed Partner on the bed partner.
How is sleep apnea treated?

Oral appliance therapy has become a widely used and accepted method of treating sleep-disordered breathing. The gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Although CPAP is usually very effective in treating OSA, there are many patients who are not able to tolerate its use. If you have tried to use CPAP but have given up on using the therapy, an oral appliance may be for you.

The quality of your sleep greatly affects your quality of life. The good news is that help is readily available from a sleep apnea clinic and usually doesn’t require medications. If you think you may have sleep apnea or you know someone who might, please ask us for a referral to a qualified sleep specialist in your area, or talk to your primary care doctor. Treating sleep apnea can add more life to your years and more years to your life.