Sleep Apnea Many people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Often, when you have this disorder, you feel tired during the day, even if you had a full night's sleep. You may also snore at night. Our team at Wildhorse Dental can help improve the quality of sleep you get with our sleep apnea treatment. What is Sleep Apnea?Sleep apnea is a condition that arises when you have pauses in breathing while sleeping. Your airway will close every so often during sleep. You may experience up to 20 to 30 pauses every hour. After you stop breathing, you have a lack of oxygen that alerts your brain, thereby causing a short awakening to help restart breathing. Such nighttime awakenings are so short that you may not remember that you had them the next morning. Most patients, however, will notice the side effects of sleep apnea. Memory loss, low energy levels, and mood swings manifest as symptoms of sleep apnea. When you have this condition, you constantly get poor sleep. You may suffer from daytime drowsiness as well as increased health risks. Causes of Sleep ApneaA number of things are responsible for sleep apnea. Weight, medications, sleeping positions, and alcohol usage can contribute to sleep apnea. Some patients who have no risk factors can also develop the condition. Different types of sleep apnea exist with the common one being obstructive sleep apnea, which arises from a physical blockage. Often, the soft tissue within the throat can collapse, or sometimes, the tongue may block your airway, contributing to the condition. Another type is central sleep apnea, which arises when the muscles do not get a signal from your brain hence causing breathing to stop. Complex sleep apnea features a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea TreatmentOur dental team recommends that you explore non-invasive treatment options first. That is why we suggest that you get a removable oral appliance. This appliance provides a convenient treatment solution because it does not make or induce any noise. It works discretely to help with the condition. Some people may need a CPAP machine that offers additional oxygen. However, there is a downside to the CPAP machine in that it may be loud and uncomfortable. There is also another option where you receive surgery to get rid of the excess fatty tissue causing the blockage of the airway. Wearing an oral appliance is easy. The device is customized to fit your mouth, meaning it fits securely and snugly. As a result, you can just slip it into place as you go to sleep. The appliance remains inside the mouth where it holds the lower jaw forward. As such, it prevents the tongue from lowering backward and allows the airway to be clear. Because sleep apnea interrupts your sleep and lowers your oxygen levels, it is crucial you seek an appropriate solution. The condition is also associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and developing depression. At Wildhorse Dental, we can customize your oral appliance, ensuring that it works optimally. To find out about sleep apnea and how to get better sleep, contact our office at 636-537-0447. |
Office HoursMonday: 8:00am-5:00pm Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Wednesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Thursday: 7:30am-3:00pm Fri‑Sun: Closed |
