Getting an Oral Appliance from Your Dentist for Sleep Apnea

If a spouse or other loved one has been kept up at night because of snoring, it may be time to see if sleep apnea is a problem. While many people do not think of snoring as a medical issue, it can signify sleep apnea or a partially obstructed airway. Even a minor airway obstruction can reduce the amount of oxygen that one gets and it can. increase the work the body has to do to breathe. Additionally, snoring is frequently a sign of a more severe condition: sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea 101

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops while sleeping. While the periods when not breathing are generally short, they can cause serious health issues. When asleep and not breathing, the body will suddenly recognize the lack of oxygen and force one to wake up. This process can happen just a few or even hundreds of times throughout the night. However, even though one may wake up so many times throughout the night, it is possible to not even recognize it. Sleep apnea is often initially noticed by others.

Many patients who have sleep apnea complain about feeling tired throughout the day, even though they believe they got a whole night of sleep before. However, sleep apnea can be a potentially life-threatening condition because it raises the risk of a stroke or heart failure because of the stresses it places on the body.

Diagnosing sleep apnea

As previously noted, sleep apnea is usually first noticed by a spouse. Sometimes it can be in the form of snoring, jerking during the night, or irregular breathing patterns. If any of these symptoms are noticed, contact our office today. If a doctor or dentist suspects that a patient may have sleep apnea, they can order a sleep test to investigate further.

A sleep test usually only requires a small machine that attaches to your finger while you sleep. The results are then interpreted by a medical professional. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are a variety of different treatment options. However, patients frequently overlook one of the simplest and most effective treatments on the market.

Oral appliances for sleep apnea

Oral appliances are custom-made to fit the mouth and correct the underlying issue of sleep apnea. Because the appliance is fitted to each mouth, it means that it is comfortable, does not slip, and helps one get a good night of sleep.

Oral appliances help sleep apnea by improving the position of the jaw and mouth while sleeping. Sometimes sleep apnea can be caused when the structures of the mouth relax while being asleep. Instead, holding the proper position of the mouth with an appliance can still allow one to relax entirely while also keeping anything from blocking the airway so that continuous breathing throughout the night is achievable.

Oral appliances can also help to eliminate snoring or irregular breathing, so it may help others in the same household get a better night’s rest too.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drpainless.com or call Red Cliffs Dental at (435) 465-4002 for an appointment in our St. George office.

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