Sleep Apnea
Learn about Sleep Apnea
A good night’s sleep can surely make you feel like a champion, and if it has been a while since you felt that way, the chances are that you might be having sleep apnea. But, how well are you aware of this sleeping disorder? It is essential to note that the impacts of sleep apnea can affect your ability to have a good rest and go beyond nighttime.What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a severe sleeping disorder that happens when an individual’s breathing stops or is interrupted when they are sleeping. People with severe sleep apnea experience disruption in their breathing many times during their sleep, almost a hundred times. This then means that the brain and other parts of the body are not getting the needed amount of oxygen, leading to possibly life-threatening health consequences.It is also essential to note that sleep apnea can affect both children and adults and people of all genders; however, research indicates that sleep apnea is more common in men.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is usually caused by an obstruction of the airway. This is typically a result of collapsed soft tissues at the back of the throat. On the other hand, it can also be observed in people with central nervous system dysfunction, such as stroke or other neuromuscular diseases.There are two main types of sleep apnea; central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Also, people with sleep apnea have some common physical characteristics like excessive weight, a larger neck circumference, and other abnormalities that tend to lessen the upper airway thickness like a low hanging soft-palate, nasal obstruction, inflamed tonsils, and small jawbone with an overbite.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Dentists are working in collaboration with sleep doctors to identify the perfect solution for every patient; however, there are some commonly used treatments for sleep apnea.The type of treatment you will get depends on the severity of the disorder. You will be able to get a good night’s sleep to improve the quality of your life and, at the same time, improve your health with the help of oral appliance therapy.
Oral Appliance Therapy
This is an excellent treatment choice for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Typically, a custom-fit sleep appliance is used to improve your snooze, restore your concentration and rejuvenate your health.
An oral appliance is worn when sleeping, and it helps support the jaw in a frontward position to help keep an open upper airway. This makes this therapy the best option to treat obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
If you have been advised that oral appliance therapy is the best treatment option for your disorder, your physician will give you a prescription to obtain a customized oral appliance. You can also visit your dentist to get a custom-fit oral appliance therapy.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is known to be a non-invasive and effective treatment of sleep apnea and has many other benefits, for instance:- It is portable
- Easy to put on
- Easy to maintain
- Convenient for travel
Visit a Dentist
The first visit to a dentist will help you learn about the treatment and its benefits. Also, you will be given information about the possible side effects and the fee of the therapy. The dentist will conduct an exam, possibly an X-ray of your tongue, teeth, and airway. This will help make the customized oral appliance for you.Visit Dasilva Family Dentistry today to get help improving your sleep and health.