Breathe Easier, Sleep Better with Sleep Apnea Treatment in Farmington
If you wake up tired no matter how early you go to bed, you might be suffering from sleep apnea—a serious, often undiagnosed condition that disrupts your breathing during sleep. Many people in Farmington, NM and nearby communities like Bloomfield, Aztec, Kirtland, and Shiprock are living with this condition without even knowing it. Fortunately, help is available close to home. Dr. Charles Schumacher, a trusted Farmington, NM sleep dentist, specializes in treating sleep apnea using custom oral appliances that can dramatically improve your quality of life. If you’re ready to sleep peacefully, contact our Farmington office by calling (505) 427-2936.
Experience Exceptional Sleep Apnea Care
At Desert Hills Dental Care, Dr. Charles Schumacher takes a holistic and non-invasive approach to treating sleep apnea. Rather than relying on bulky CPAP machines, he offers custom oral appliances that reposition your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Our patient Grace R. shared her experience:
- “After several bad experiences in the past, I was referred to Dr. Schumacher to help with my chronic fatigue and pain issues. He helped diagnose and treat my sleep apnea and TMJ. The device I received from him has improved the quality of my sleep and I’m very grateful.”
This personalized approach makes Dr. Schumacher a top dentist in Farmington, NM, especially for patients seeking alternative, comfortable treatments for sleep disorders.
What Is Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
Snoring
Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft tissues in your throat. This vibration occurs because the tissues are relaxed, and the air is forced to travel through a more narrow opening. It causes the tissues to flutter, creating the vibrations that produce the sound we call snoring.
Snoring isn’t always a problem, but if your snoring is overly loud or chronic, it might be keeping your bed partners or even members of your household outside of your bedroom awake. Nighttime disturbances and the resulting emotional and physical consequences from the lack of sleep are leading factors in separation. Even when your snoring isn’t keeping people awake, it may point to a more serious problem called sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by intermittent recurring pauses in your breathing during sleep. There are three forms of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form. It’s caused by collapsing soft tissues in your throat completely blocking airflow into the lungs. The harder you try to breathe, the tighter the airway seals, until your brain partially wakes you up.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA) is an especially rare form. CSA occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the body to breathe during sleep. Breathing is repeatedly interrupted without the presence of obstruction.
- Complex (or mixed) sleep apnea (MSA) is when both OSA and CSA are present. MSA is especially rare and not highly understood.
Causes of Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Common causes of sleep apnea and snoring can include the following:
- Obesity
- Deviated septum
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Jaw misalignment
- Sleep position
- Allergies
- Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
If you feel you may be suffering from snoring or a form of sleep apnea, call our Farmington sleep dentists at (505) 427-2936 to schedule your appointment.
Symptoms of Snoring and Sleep Apnea
The similarities between sleep apnea and snoring can often make it difficult to differentiate between the two. The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring, and snoring can sometimes produce the same symptoms as sleep apnea.
Regardless of whether or not you think your symptoms are apneic, you should reach out to your sleep apnea dentist as soon as you or any of your bed partners notice anything wrong with your sleep or your daytime behavior.
Symptoms of snoring can include the following:
- Quiet vibrations
- Whistling noises
- Loud grumbling sounds
- Dry or sore throat in the morning
- Tossing and turning
- Daytime fatigue
Common symptoms of sleep apnea may include:
- Gasping or choking at night
- Making quiet vibrations and whistles in your sleep
- Loud rumbling during sleep
- Sore throat in the morning
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Irritability
- Tossing and turning
- Problems concentrating
- Frequent nighttime urination
The longer symptoms go untreated, the more serious they tend to become. That’s why seeking effective treatment as soon as possible is vital. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should contact our office by dialing (505) 427-2936.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is usually more serious than snoring as the potential consequences extend far beyond restless nights. The consistent lack of sleep and oxygen can lead to multiple problems that affect health and well-being, including the following:
- Heart disease
- Liver problems
- High blood pressure
- Oral cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Acid reflux
- Complications with medication and surgery
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Memory Loss
- Poor work performance
- Decreased cognitive function/Increased risk of an accident
Getting effective treatment for sleep apnea and snoring can potentially reduce or completely alleviate your symptoms, greatly improving your life. Our Farmington sleep apnea dentists may recommend that you undergo a sleep study so you can get an accurate diagnosis.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy involves using a custom-made orthodontic-type appliance that you wear during sleep. The sleep appliance positions your jaw in such a way that the airways remain open. This makes breathing easier, helping to alleviate symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Schumacher has special training in this area, and is a Qualified Dentist by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Other benefits of oral appliance therapy that make it a preferred treatment method include:
- Comfortable, professional fit
- Silence due to a lack of electronic components
- Affordability
- Portability for better handling and travel purposes
- Simplicity of use and care
Frequently Asked Questions
How does sleep apnea impact relationships?
The irritability and difficulty concentrating that often results from sleep apnea can damage your personal and professional life. Snoring is often the number one symptom of sleep apnea which can impact your partner’s sleep quality leading to tension in romantic partnerships.
Snoring and sleep apnea can cause both partners to lose sleep and negatively affect their physical and mental health, which is why seeking treatment is crucial.
What can increase your risk of developing OSA?
Sleep apnea can affect people of all ages and sizes, but there are a few physical traits that put you at an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. For example, if you’re overweight or obese, it’s easier to develop sleep apnea due to excess tissue in your throat. However, even slim people can have snoring and sleep apnea.
Is the oral appliance comfortable to wear?
Most patients adjust quickly and find it much more comfortable than a CPAP. These devices are slim, custom-made, and easy to travel with—making them a popular option in Farmington and surrounding areas.
What if I snore but don’t have sleep apnea?
Even if you don’t have diagnosed sleep apnea, snoring can disrupt your rest and your partner’s. A custom oral device can reduce or eliminate snoring, giving everyone a better night’s sleep.
Wake Up to a Healthier Life with the Help of Dr. Schumacher
Living with sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and frustrated—but you don’t have to settle for restless nights and tired days. With compassionate care and proven results, Dr. Charles Schumacher offers a practical, comfortable solution through custom oral appliance therapy. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or you’re just tired of snoring and feeling drained, it’s time to get the support you deserve.
Patients from Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, and the nearby areas, trust Dr. Schumacher for sleep-related dental care. Don’t wait to reclaim your sleep and health, contact the best sleep dentist in Farmington by calling (505) 427-2936.