How Dentists Can Help You Improve Your Sleep

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Many people with sleep apnea may not realize they have the condition, as it can be difficult to diagnose on your own. Symptoms include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, and daytime fatigue, among others. The condition also has serious long-term health consequences if left untreated.

While many people may turn to their primary care physician for help with sleep apnea, it may come as a surprise that a dentist can also provide assistance through dental sleep medicine. This area of dentistry uses oral appliance therapy to address sleep-disordered breathing conditions, including sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common types of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles that support the throat, tongue, and soft palate temporarily relax during sleep, causing the airway to close or become restricted. This can result in pauses in breathing that last from a few seconds to minutes, which may occur 30 or more times per hour.

Patients can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of OSA by using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which forces air through the oral and nasal passages to prevent soft tissues from collapsing. However, not all patients tolerate CPAP well, which is why oral appliance therapy is available as a less intrusive alternative. This treatment involves a removable oral appliance that fits much like a sports mouthguard or retainer, which guides the jaw forward while sleeping to prevent the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and back of the mouth from obstructing the airway.

An oral appliance for sleep apnea offers several benefits over CPAP, including improved symptoms and reduced snoring, as well as greater flexibility when traveling or working without electricity. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s important to seek professional care as soon as possible to improve your quality of life and avoid long-term health complications.



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