Sleep Apnea

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is an extremely common sleep disorder. While you are sleeping, your breathing becomes shallow or even stops multiple times. Although it is common, it often goes untreated or even diagnosed. Doctors seldom realize a person has sleep apnea because they are unable to monitor them sleeping. These breaks, or pauses, in your breathing, can last a few seconds or even longer. When your normal breathing resumes, it starts back up with a deep inhale or a snort. Often, it is a sleeping partner that realizes the problem first.

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The Two Types of Sleep Apnea

There are two primary kinds of sleep apnea. These are obstructed sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. The more complicated one of the two is central sleep apnea. In central sleep apnea, the airway isn't obstructed. The brain forgets to tell the muscles to breathe. Obstructed sleep apnea is much simpler.

With obstructed sleep apnea, either the tongue or the soft tissue collapses back into the airway during sleep to stop the airflow. This disruption in your breathing also causes other problems. The most notable problem is disrupted sleep. You will often find yourself feeling tired even after a full night of sleep. Prolonged sleep apnea can also increase your chances of diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, or even heart failure.

If you are coping with sleep apnea, contact us today. We can help. We can help fit you for a custom oral appliance. This mouthpiece is only worn at night. Unlike noisy machines, the mouthpiece is quiet while you are trying to sleep. It is portable, it is comfortable, and most importantly, it works. This safe appliance fits in your mouth just like a sports mouthguard would. This mouthguard holds your lower jaw in place while you are asleep to keep your airway clear.

The Treatment Process

When you first talk to your dentist, he/she will explain to you the treatment. He/she will take a dental impression to fit the mouthpiece to you. The impressions are sent to a lab so the mouthpiece can be made. When the mouthpiece comes back after being made, you will need to come back in to ensure it fits. You will also need to be taught how to clean the mouthpiece.

After you have gotten the mouthpiece, you will need to schedule several trips back to the dentist so that the two of you can work together to make any modifications you need to get the best fit. This is a common practice when having any custom oral appliance made. Once your mouthpiece has the best possible fit, you may still need to come back in for a yearly visit so the appliance can be checked and it is still properly sitting in your mouth.

Oral appliances to help sleep apnea are growing in popularity all the time. The most notable change you will notice is that you will wake feeling more rested, with more energy throughout the day. You don't have to just accept the situation if you have sleep apnea. Give us a call today and take your life back.

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