Why See a Sleep Apnea Dentist?

You may be wondering, “Why does a dentist treat sleep apnea? shouldn’t I see a medical doctor?” That’s a great question that Dr. Lawson hears frequently. The reason you need to see Dr. Jessica Lawson for sleep apnea treatment in Urbandale is that OSA treatment involves the mouth, jaw, and airway. Getting your teeth and jaw in their optimal position allows you to breathe through an unobstructed airway, which, in turn, allows you to get the restful sleep you need to thrive.

Dr. Lawson has received extensive training in sleep apnea treatment, and she is the Urbandale sleep dentist who can change your life without performing surgery. That means no recovery time for you and lost time from work that invasive procedures almost always entail. There are many highly effective sleep apnea treatments available today that are relieving the symptoms sleep apneics have suffered for years, if not decades.

Here, we will take a look at both short-term symptoms of sleep apnea and long-term symptoms of untreated sleep apnea. You may be surprised to find that untreated sleep apnea can take a huge toll on your physical health and mental well-being.

One of the many exciting aspects of wholistic dentistry, which is near and dear to Dr. Lawson’s heart, is that she doesn’t just treat issues involving your oral health; the team at Lawson Dentistry takes your whole health into consideration when devising treatment plans to improve your quality of life (and get your smile back!). Integrative dentistry focuses on you from head to toe and ensures any dental procedures you need align with what your physical health can tolerate.

Short-Term Sleep Apnea Symptoms

If you have sleep apnea, you may experience just a couple or several of the following symptoms:

  • GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Dry mouth in the morning
  • Sore throat in the morning
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Sleepiness during the day
  • Feeling exhausted upon waking
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Brain fog
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Sleepiness during the day
  • Feeling exhausted upon waking
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Dry mouth in the morning
  • Sore throat in the morning
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Brain fog
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Long-term Effects of Sleep Apnea

Untreated sleep apnea can be very dangerous to your health. You may experience any of the following medical issues that have been linked to untreated sleep apnea:

  • Mood disorders like anxiety and depression: People with OSA often suffer from anxiety and depression, and after years of bad sleep, the anxiety and depression worsen.
  • Mental confusion: Many people with OSA experience brain fog throughout the day and find it very difficult to focus on tasks.
  • Memory loss: Poor quality sleep negatively affects both short-term and long-term memory.
  • Compromised immune system: Your immune system will be weakened by untreated sleep apnea.
  • Cardiovascular problems: Obstructive sleep apnea increases the likelihood of irregular heart rhythms, stroke, and heart failure.
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes: It’s not easy to manage diabetes when you have OSA because you’re exhausted all the time. Research indicates that people with Type II Diabetes often have OSA.
  • Respiratory issues: OSA will likely affect your lungs, eventually leading to breathing problems.
  • Mood disorders like anxiety and depression: People with OSA often suffer from anxiety and depression, and after years of bad sleep, the anxiety and depression worsen.
  • Mental confusion: Many people with OSA experience brain fog throughout the day and find it very difficult to focus on tasks.
  • Memory loss: Poor quality sleep negatively affects both short-term and long-term memory.
  • Compromised immune system: Your immune system will be weakened by untreated sleep apnea.
  • Cardiovascular problems: Obstructive sleep apnea increases the likelihood of irregular heart rhythms, stroke, and heart failure.
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes: It’s not easy to manage diabetes when you have OSA because you’re exhausted all the time. Research indicates that people with Type II Diabetes often have OSA.
  • Respiratory issues: OSA will likely affect your lungs, eventually leading to breathing problems.

Pediatric Sleep-Health Screening

Early identification of airway and sleep-related concerns can make a meaningful difference in your child’s long-term health. Our online screenings make it easy for parents to complete a quick questionnaire from any device, helping our team identify signs that may need further evaluation.

These short digital tests provide a simple first step toward understanding symptoms such as snoring, mouth breathing, or disrupted sleep patterns. If the results indicate potential concerns, our team can guide you through the next steps and discuss comfortable, effective treatment options.

Supporting healthy breathing early—whether for children or adults—helps promote better focus, improved energy, and overall well-being. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, our team is here to help.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Urbandale

While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) has long been the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, there’s a new sheriff in town known as Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). Dr. Lawson’s patients have found OAT to be a highly effective, affordable, and easy-to-manage sleep apnea treatment in Urbandale. Please visit our sleep apnea treatment page to learn more about CPAP alternatives that are changing lives one restful night’s sleep at a time.

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Urbandale, IA

Please contact Lawson Dentistry at (515) 278-4366 to schedule an appointment.