Whitehouse Family Dental

Kristen Shumate, DDS, Richard Shumate, DDS, Hannah Keller, DDS

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(419) 877-5404

Whitehouse Family Dental

5850 Weckerly Rd
Whitehouse, OH 43571

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Whitehouse Family Dental > Services > Sleep Apnea and Airway Dentistry

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder requiring prompt treatment to protect your health.

Sleep Apnea and Airway Dentistry

Do you awaken feeling exhausted despite a full night's sleep? Does your partner complain about loud snoring or say you seem to stop breathing during the night?

These could be signs of sleep apnea, a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. At Whitehouse Family Dental, we understand the critical connection between your airway health and overall wellness and offer solutions that benefit both.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block your airway. These blockages cause pauses in breathing that can last ten seconds or longer and happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night. While you may not be aware of these episodes, they prevent you from achieving the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the standard for moderate to severe sleep apnea; however, many patients find the equipment too cumbersome to use. At Whitehouse Dental, we customize dental appliances effective for mild to moderate cases or patients who cannot tolerate CPAP (with physician approval).

Health Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is disruptive and robs you of the restorative sleep your body needs to function. Seeking treatment as soon as you or a loved one notices the signs is crucial to protect your overall health and wellness and offers several benefits.

Restore Restful Sleep

When your airway remains open during sleep, you can achieve the deep, restorative sleep your body requires to function at optimum levels. This leads to enhanced mental clarity, reduced daytime sleepiness and irritability, and significantly lowers the risk of accidents at work or behind the wheel.

Minimize Health Risks

Effective sleep apnea treatment can help reduce your risk of developing serious health complications. Maintaining proper oxygen levels throughout the night minimizes the strain on your cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of contributing to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Reduce Loud Snoring

An open, unobstructed airway minimizes the vibration of tissues that causes snoring, which can disrupt your home life. Treatment not only improves your sleep quality but can also positively impact your bed partner's sleep, so everyone in your family can get a good night's rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious but treatable sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans, often without their knowledge. At Whitehouse Family Dental, we know how this condition can impact quality of life and overall health. Recognizing the warning signs can alert you to the need to contact us for treatment.

Key Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea often goes unrecognized because many symptoms occur during sleep. Watch for these warning signs:

Loud, persistent snoring (though not all snorers have sleep apnea)
Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
Waking up gasping or choking
Morning headaches
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability or mood changes
Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
Hypertension that's difficult to control

Untreated sleep apnea can also contribute to serious health problems. Repeated drops in blood oxygen levels and sleep disruption can strain your cardiovascular system, increasing your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeats.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

If you or a loved one has any warning signs of sleep apnea, our doctors at Whitehouse Family Dental offer airway dentistry solutions that may help. Call us at (419) 877-5404 to schedule a sleep apnea evaluation.

We proudly serve patients from Whitehouse, Waterville, Monclova, Swanton, Perrysburg, and Maumee, providing solutions for healthier sleep and a better quality of life.

Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Before recommending any appliance, our experienced dentists evaluate potential sleep breathing disorders. If necessary, we'll refer you to a sleep physician for proper diagnosis, which typically involves a sleep study either at home or in a specialized lab.

If you are diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea or can't tolerate the CPAP mask, our custom oral appliances may be beneficial:

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) — MADs are the most common type of sleep apnea oral appliance, resembling a sports mouthguard. These devices work by holding the lower jaw slightly forward. This position helps keep the airway open by preventing the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the throat.
Tongue-Retaining Devices (TRDs)—These devices hold the tongue in a forward position to prevent it from blocking the airway during sleep. They use gentle suction and may be helpful for back-sleepers or those with sleep apnea related to tongue position.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr. Kristen Shumate

Dr. Shumate founded Whitehouse Family Dental in 2014, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a dentist. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery cum laude from The Ohio State University ...

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Dr. Richard Shumate

Dr. Rick Shumate has owned and practiced at Whitehouse Family Dental since 2016, bringing his expertise in implants, grafting, root canals, and cosmetic dentistry to the community. A 2011 graduate ...

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Dr. Hannah Keller

As an associate dentist at Whitehouse Family Dental, Dr. Hannah Keller is proud to be part of a dedicated team committed to providing the very best patient care and customer ...

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Airway Dentistry for All Ages

Sleep-breathing disorders don't just affect adults. Children can also experience airway problems with symptoms like snoring, mouth breathing, bedwetting, attention problems, or behavioral issues. Identifying and addressing these concerns early can help prevent more serious problems later in life.

Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that might indicate sleep apnea, don't wait to seek help. Call Whitehouse Family Dental at (419) 877-5404 to schedule a screening appointment. Our team works with patients from Whitehouse, Waterville, Monclova, Swanton, Perrysburg, Maumee, and surrounding communities.

Call Us Now If You Think You Have Sleep Apnea