Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is far more than loud snoring; it’s a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that affects an estimated 22 million Americans.
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. These pauses, called apneas, can happen hundreds of times per night, interrupting deep sleep and depriving the brain and body of oxygen. Without treatment, sleep apnea can contribute to major health complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
At Westover Family Dentistry, we take a comprehensive, family-centered approach to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in both children and adults. Dr. Austin Westover offers advanced, non-invasive solutions that help patients breathe comfortably and sleep soundly.
What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea presents differently in adults and children, but common signs include:
Symptoms Often Seen in Adults
- Loud snoring that disrupts sleep for you or your partner
- Gasping, choking, or coughing upon waking
- Waking with a racing heart
- Morning headaches
- Feeling exhausted after a full night’s sleep
- Daytime fatigue or falling asleep unintentionally
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Irritability or mood changes
- Unexplained weight gain
- Acid reflux
Sleep Apnea in Children: What Should Parents Look For?
In children, sleep-disordered breathing is often overlooked and can be mistaken for behavioral or attention-related disorders.
Common Pediatric Symptoms
- ADHD-like behavior or hyperactivity
- Bedwetting
- Developmental delays
- Poor growth
- Crowded teeth
- Prolonged pacifier or thumb-sucking habits
- Difficulty focusing in school
- Restless sleep or frequent nighttime awakenings
Because untreated sleep apnea affects brain development, behavior, and facial growth, early diagnosis is essential.
How Do We Diagnose and Treat Sleep Apnea in Adults?
Home Sleep Testing
Your first step is a simple at-home sleep test, allowing us to evaluate your breathing patterns while you sleep in your own bed. This provides accurate, comfortable, real-world insights—no overnight lab needed.
Oral Appliance Therapy
For adults with mild to moderate sleep apnea or snoring, or those who cannot tolerate CPAP machines, oral appliance therapy is a highly effective solution.
- A custom-made mouthguard gently moves the lower jaw forward.
- This keeps the airway open throughout the night.
- Comfortable, portable, and easy to use.
Most patients find this option far easier than CPAP therapy.
How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea in Children?
Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing is often linked to airway development. Instead of CPAP machines, many children benefit from airway-centered orthodontic treatment.
Using advanced, growth-guided orthodontic techniques, Dr. Westover can:
- Expand and stabilize the airway
- Improve nasal breathing
- Support long-term facial development
- Reduce or eliminate nighttime symptoms
Research shows that over 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually have undiagnosed nighttime breathing issues. Early intervention can dramatically improve quality of life, sleep, school performance, and behavior.
Want to Know Whether You or Your Child Has Sleep Apnea?
If any symptoms above feel familiar, the next best step is a conversation with Dr. Austin Westover. He will evaluate your concerns, recommend appropriate testing, and guide you toward the most effective treatment options.
You don’t have to live exhausted or watch your child struggle. Restful sleep is possible again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before beginning treatment, many families have questions that aren’t fully answered within the general overview. Below are some of the most commonly searched sleep apnea questions in Virginia, answered in a warm, patient-friendly tone.
How do I know if sleep apnea is causing my snoring?
Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea, but it often signals airflow obstruction. If you snore and feel tired during the day, wake up gasping, or your partner notices breathing pauses, it’s important to have a sleep evaluation. A simple home sleep test can provide clear answers.
Can sleep apnea be treated without a CPAP machine?
Yes. Many adults successfully manage sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy, which keeps the jaw in a forward position to maintain an open airway. For children, airway-focused orthodontic treatment can often address the root cause without CPAP.
Does childhood sleep apnea go away on its own?
In most cases, no. Because pediatric sleep apnea often relates to airway development, early treatment is key. Correcting the airway during childhood can prevent lifelong breathing and sleep problems.
Can weight loss help reduce sleep apnea symptoms?
For some adults, weight loss can reduce the severity of sleep apnea, but it rarely resolves the condition entirely. Even patients at a healthy weight frequently experience airway obstruction. A professional sleep evaluation is still essential.
How soon will I feel better after starting treatment?
Many patients notice improvements in:
- Daytime energy
- Mood
- Snoring
- Morning headaches
within just a few days or weeks of starting therapy.
