Treating Sleep Apnea in Houston, Bellaire, and Beyond

Dentists are considered the first line of defense when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea as, during our routine dental examinations, we can recognize a small upper airway and other signs of OSA such as tooth grinding and redness in the throat. Your overall health is important to us and is one reason we list sleep apnea treatment as one of the services we offer. 

Approximately 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea — a number that has grown exponentially during the pandemic — and at least 30 percent of Texans 20-plus have high blood pressure (yes, that includes Houston, Bellaire, and Sugarland residents). The lack of quality sleep in this country and this state is a serious threat that can lead to a myriad of issues including hypertension and heart attacks.

Sleep apnea causes one’s airway to narrow or close, cutting off air. This can happen five to 30 or more times per hour and typically causes the sleeper to wake up suddenly, gasping for air (not all people with sleep apnea wake up or, as is more commonly thought, snore). 

When one’s airflow stops, their body releases stress hormones, which can potentially lead to heart disease — the number one cause of death in the U.S.

If we suspect you may be at risk of sleep apnea, we’ll ask you a series of questions and suggest you take a sleep risk assessment. We’ll then walk you through the next steps as the treatment will depend on the results of the assessment. Many of our sleep patients are able to wear a small, custom-fit oral appliance no bigger than a mouthguard. 

Dr. Frazar continuously trains and updates her skills with the BreathEZz system that combines “traditional protocols in sleep dentistry with the latest advancements” to ensure she’s taking the utmost care with your OSA. 

You don’t have to wait for your routine exam if you think you might have sleep apnea. Contact us today for an appointment at (713) 668-7137.