Imagine waking up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed. For millions suffering from sleep apnea, this nightmare is their daily reality. Sleep deprivation makes everyday tasks feel impossible, so when you aren’t getting adequate rest each night, you can’t perform well at work or school.
You might need to seek treatment if you feel tired during the day or if your partner complains about your loud snoring.
So, how can your dentist help with sleep apnea and snoring? Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when your throat muscles collapse and obstruct your airway. As a result, you stop breathing due to lack of oxygen, and your body forces you awake.
Symptoms of OSA include the following:
- Excessive snoring
- Insomnia
- Daytime fatigue
- Headaches
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
Exploring Treatment Options
The most common treatment option for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. For this treatment, you wear a mask over your nose and mouth while you sleep, and a hose connected to the mask forces pressurized air into your airway. This keeps your airway from collapsing and allows you to breathe normally without snoring or waking up.
Many people complain that a CPAP mask is bulky and uncomfortable, so they stop using it.
At Five Parks Dental, we offer an alternative to the CPAP machine; this FDA-approved treatment approach includes a customized oral appliance to keep your airway open. Here’s what to expect:
- First, we take impressions of your teeth so the dental lab can create your customized mandibular advancement device.
- Once we have your device back in our dental office, we’ll show you how to wear it over your upper and lower teeth. It’s designed to move your jaw forward to keep your airway open.
- You’ll wear your oral appliance while you sleep and get the restful sleep you deserve.
That’s it!
Looking for Snoring Treatment in Arvada, CO?
If you have questions about sleep apnea or snoring treatment, we’d be happy to assist you! We understand the importance of restful sleep at Five Parks Dental, so contact our dental office at (303) 456-4745 to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you.