Mornings
Tired mornings
Still tired when the day starts, even after a full night in bed?
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
When your airway narrows while you sleep
During sleep, the muscles in your throat relax. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway narrows or closes, so breathing becomes noisy, shallow or briefly stops. Your brain wakes you just enough to breathe again, often without you remembering.
- 1Throat muscles relax and the airway narrows
- 2You snore, gasp, or breathing pauses
- 3Sleep is broken up, so you wake up tired
Common patterns to notice
Start with what feels most familiar.
Sleep problems show up at night, in the morning and during the day, and a partner often notices them first.
Daytime
Focus and brain fog
When focus fades during the day, the cause may be the night before.
Partner noticed
Snoring that keeps two people awake
Loud or regular snoring often affects the whole bedroom, not just you.
At night
Nighttime breathing sounds
Gasping, choking or pauses in breathing, often heard by a partner first.
Partner noticed
Restless, disrupted sleep
When one person’s sleep keeps disrupting the other’s, it’s worth a closer look.
Mornings
Dry mouth or morning headaches
Waking up unrefreshed, with a dry mouth or a headache, again and again?
Recognize any of these? The symptom check takes about two
minutes.
Start the survey
How the screening works
A clear next step, without pressure
Start with the survey
Describe the patterns you recognize. The survey does not diagnose sleep apnea.
Discuss an evaluation
A clinician decides whether testing or another step is appropriate for you.
Review your options
If indicated, a qualified dentist discusses a custom oral appliance and follow-up care. It’s not one-size-fits-all.
Sleep apnea oral appliance
A custom-fit option, made by your dentist
For some people, a custom oral appliance can help. It’s worn while you sleep, much like a mouthguard, and gently holds your lower jaw forward to help keep your airway open.
- Made for your mouth. Custom-fit from impressions of your teeth.
- No mask or hose. Quiet, small and easy to travel with.
- Follow-up care included. Adjusted over time for comfort and fit.
An oral appliance is not one-size-fits-all. It is discussed only after an appropriate evaluation.
Your local provider
Dr. Willis Lay, DDS
Dr. Lay studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned his dental degree at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. He has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education and provides cosmetic, complex implant and general care at Pantego Dental, serving Pantego and the central Dallas–Fort Worth area.
1810 S Bowen Rd, Pantego, TX 76013