As Summer Winds Down Local San Clemente Dentist Highlights Sleeping Disorders

During the month of September Dr. Eric Johnson is working with patients and educating people about the dangers of sleep apnea and how to correct the problem in order to prevent future medical issues.

San Clemente (I-Newswire) September 19, 2012 - San Clemente, CA. –Summer is quickly coming to a close, and as folks return to their regular work and school schedules, Orange County, CA family dentist Dr. Eric Johnson wants his patients to be aware of the dangers of sleeping disorders that may be disrupting their sleep quality.

“Statistics indicate that at least 10% of the adult population snores,” Dr. Johnson says. “And unfortunately, many do not even realize it. Furthermore, a significant number of those that snore suffer from some sort of sleeping disorder such as sleep apnea. In this the final month of summer, we want our patients who suspect they may have a sleeping disorder to come in for help before they return to their regular fall schedules.”

Sleep Disorder Symptoms

Many people suffer from sleeping disorders without even realizing it. And some have had it so long that it has become a normal part of their lives.

“For many, snoring or other sleeping problems have gone on so long, people believe there is little hope of solving the problem,” Dr. Johnson continues. “We hope to communicate to folks in Orange County that no matter how long they’ve been dealing with this issue, there is hope of getting a better night’s sleep. But the first step is knowing what symptoms to look for.”

To know if you have sleep problems and perhaps even sleep apnea, Dr. Johnson says there are several symptoms to look out for. Among them include:

Frequent headaches in the morning

Regular trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night

Insomnia-waking up regularly in the middle of the night

Waking up with a sore throat and/or dry mouth

Irritability throughout the day leading to moodiness or even depression

Forgetfulness

Difficulty concentrating on things

Waking up feeling like you’re out of breath

Common among children with sleep disorders are additional symptoms such as:

Growth and/or developmental problems

Being hyperactive and/or inattentive

Poor performance in school

Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose

How a Dentist Treats Sleeping Disorders

Many dentists are trained to deal with sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders, and Dr. Johnson hopes to educate folks on why it can be advantageous to have such disorders treated by a dentist.

Some of the ways a dentist addresses sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea include:

Oral appliances that prevent the tongue from sliding backwards (for tongue blocking sleep disorders)

Oral appliances that force the jaw forward (for tonsils-and-palette blockage)

The positive pressure machine

Dentofacial orthopedics (for children)

Nasal reconstructive surgery (for more severe cases)

“If you suspect that you have some kind of sleep disorder, we suggest you stop by our office to learn about the ways we can treat it. Our procedures tend to be less invasive, more affordable, and just as effective as other types of treatment.”

For further information or to schedule an appointment, call (949) 493-9311 or go to http://www.drericjohnson.com