How Dr. McElravy Can Help You Sleep Better
(Yes, your dentist might be the key to your best night’s sleep)
When you think about sleep problems, you probably picture sleep masks, white noise machines, or maybe a visit to a sleep specialist. But here’s something you might not expect: your dentist may play a much bigger role than you think — especially if your dentist is “Dr. Mac.”
As a dentist with specialized training in breathing and airway health, Dr. McElravy takes a whole-body approach to oral care. She doesn’t just look at your teeth and gums — she looks at how your mouth, jaw, and airway affect your ability to breathe, function, and sleep well.
If you're snoring, waking up tired, or feeling foggy during the day, here's how Dr. McElravy might be able to help.
Why Sleep and Breathing Are Connected to Dentistry
Sleep-disordered breathing — including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — often has roots in the structure of the mouth and airway. Narrow jaws, a low tongue posture, or airway collapse during sleep can all contribute to poor breathing at night.
Unlike traditional medicine that treats symptoms with machines or medications, airway-focused dentists like Dr. McElravy look for the root cause — and provide solutions that are both effective and non-invasive.
Signs You Might Have an Airway or Sleep Issue
You might benefit from airway evaluation if you experience:
Loud snoring or gasping at night
Waking up frequently or feeling unrested
Daytime fatigue or brain fog
Morning headaches or dry mouth
Clenching or grinding your teeth
Crowded teeth, high palate, or narrow jaw
A history of mouth breathing or allergies
These are not just sleep issues — they’re often signs that your airway isn’t functioning the way it should.
How We Help
Dr. McElravy combines her dental expertise with advanced training in airway-focused treatment to create custom plans for each patient. Here’s what that might look like:
1. Comprehensive Airway Evaluation
She’ll begin with a thorough health history, dental exam, and 3D imaging or scans to assess how your airway, jaw, and oral structures are working (or not working) during sleep.
2. At-Home Sleep Study
No need for an overnight lab visit — in many cases, she can arrange an easy at-home sleep study to gather detailed data about your sleep patterns and oxygen levels.
3. Custom Oral Appliance Therapy
If you’re a candidate, Dr. McElravy may fit you with a comfortable, custom-made oral appliance. These devices gently reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep — no CPAP machine required.
4. Breathing & Myofunctional Therapy
She may also recommend specific exercises to improve nasal breathing, tongue posture, and oral muscle tone — helping to retrain your body to breathe properly, day and night.
A Holistic Approach That Treats More Than Just Teeth
By addressing the airway, Dr. McElravy’s patients often see more than better sleep:
Improved energy and focus
Fewer headaches and jaw pain
Better mood and reduced anxiety
Enhanced overall wellness
Because when you breathe better, everything works better — including your smile.
Ready to Start Sleeping Better?
If you’ve been struggling with sleep, snoring, or feeling tired despite a full night in bed, it’s time to look beyond just sleep aids and start asking why.
Dr. McElravy offers compassionate, cutting-edge care that helps you sleep better — by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
Want to schedule a sleep consultation?
📞 Give us a call or book online.
Better breathing starts here.