How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea?
Do you often wake in the night struggling to breathe or out of breath, or do you suffer from chronic snoring? If so, then you may benefit from treatment with an oral appliance. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea, all without the need for a CPAP machine!
The Warning Signs of OSA
The disorder means that as you sleep, the soft tissues in the rear of your mouth and in your throat become too relaxed and actually collapses, cutting off airflow. You stop breathing for brief periods until the brain essentially wakes you. While you may not remember this happening each time, it could occur hundreds of times in a single night. Warning signs include snoring, waking up gasping for air or choking, headaches, dry mouth, daytime drowsiness, and irritability. Trouble focusing is common too. When you begin to exhibit one or more of these periodontal warning signs, then let us know right away!
The Dangers to Your Overall Health
Without treatment, the disorder could leave you exhausted and sleep deprived, impacting how you interact with others or your performance at work. The stress on your immune system could lead to more frequent illness too. Untreated OSA also leads to issues with your cardiovascular health, with a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke or heart attack. Which is why you need to seek care when you encounter these symptoms. In the meantime, you can help by resting on your side instead of your back, keeping your bedroom dark and cool, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Try to avoid vigorous exercise, large meals, caffeine, or excessive amounts of alcohol in the two hours before bed.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is a noninvasive and comfortable alternative to the CPAP machine, one we’ve used to help many of our patients with sleep apnea. Our team will create the device based on detailed digital images taken of your smile. The resulting appliance will fit like a mouthguard and is worn as you rest. The device moves the jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction. You then avoid symptoms and enjoy a good night’s rest.
If you have any questions about how we treat sleep apnea and snoring, then contact our team today. We would love to start treatment and help you rest with ease!
Speak With Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Our Sleep Solutions
At Cleveland Family Dentistry, we want to help you sleep without interruption. To schedule an appointment, call our dental office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also proudly serve patients and their families from Kingwood, New Caney, Conroe, Livingston, Huffman, and all surrounding communities.