Did you know you could be suffering from sleep apnea without even realizing it? Many people with sleep apnea are unaware of their condition until health problems arise. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea by your doctor, you may be surprised to learn that your dentist has several effective treatment options. Let's take a look at how dentists approach sleep apnea treatment.
The Fundamentals of Sleep Apnea
When sleeping, however, the muscles in the throat and mouth can relax. Sleep apnea occurs when fatty tissues relax to the point where they fall back into the upper airway, blocking oxygen flow into the body. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which an individual experiences periodic breathing pauses while sleeping. Breathing pauses of this length usually last 10 seconds. Gasps, snorts, or even choking sounds may accompany sleep apnea breathing stops while attempting to re-inhale. During sleep, the body's muscles relax in an attempt to perform self-repair, keeping the body healthy and energized.
Sleep Apnea Treatment With Oral Devices
CPAP therapy, or continuous positive air pressure therapy, is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea symptoms. However, CPAP is not the only treatment option for sleep apnea. After meeting with your doctor and dentist, your doctor will fit you for CPAP and oral appliances. Each sleep apnea solution has a one-of-a-kind design tailored to the patient's specific mouth measurements.
The main goal of dental devices is to keep the patient's airway open and clear while they sleep. This way, the airway cannot collapse and prevent airflow if it remains open while sleeping. However, just because your dentist provides you with a dental device doesn't mean you won't need CPAP therapy. Dentists all over the country agree that CPAP therapy is an effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea!
How Do Apnea Dental Devices Help With Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea dental devices, as previously stated, keep the patient's airway open for uninterrupted sleep. This is accomplished by bringing the lower jaw forward slightly and holding the tongue in place during sleep to prevent it from falling back. There is a lower risk of airway obstruction if the tongue is held firmly in place. Some dental sleep apnea devices can do both of these things simultaneously.
Smiles of Alaska Offers Dental Sleep Medicine
Contact the Smiles of Alaska team for more information on diagnosing sleep apnea and the various treatment options. Our email address is office@smilesofalaska.com, and our phone number is 907-349-6466. Our sleep medicine-focused family dentistry practice with offices in Soldotna and Anchorage, Alaska. We are excited to help our patients live their lives to the fullest!
The Fundamentals of Sleep Apnea
When sleeping, however, the muscles in the throat and mouth can relax. Sleep apnea occurs when fatty tissues relax to the point where they fall back into the upper airway, blocking oxygen flow into the body. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which an individual experiences periodic breathing pauses while sleeping. Breathing pauses of this length usually last 10 seconds. Gasps, snorts, or even choking sounds may accompany sleep apnea breathing stops while attempting to re-inhale. During sleep, the body's muscles relax in an attempt to perform self-repair, keeping the body healthy and energized.
Sleep Apnea Treatment With Oral Devices
CPAP therapy, or continuous positive air pressure therapy, is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea symptoms. However, CPAP is not the only treatment option for sleep apnea. After meeting with your doctor and dentist, your doctor will fit you for CPAP and oral appliances. Each sleep apnea solution has a one-of-a-kind design tailored to the patient's specific mouth measurements.
The main goal of dental devices is to keep the patient's airway open and clear while they sleep. This way, the airway cannot collapse and prevent airflow if it remains open while sleeping. However, just because your dentist provides you with a dental device doesn't mean you won't need CPAP therapy. Dentists all over the country agree that CPAP therapy is an effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea!
How Do Apnea Dental Devices Help With Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea dental devices, as previously stated, keep the patient's airway open for uninterrupted sleep. This is accomplished by bringing the lower jaw forward slightly and holding the tongue in place during sleep to prevent it from falling back. There is a lower risk of airway obstruction if the tongue is held firmly in place. Some dental sleep apnea devices can do both of these things simultaneously.
Smiles of Alaska Offers Dental Sleep Medicine
Contact the Smiles of Alaska team for more information on diagnosing sleep apnea and the various treatment options. Our email address is office@smilesofalaska.com, and our phone number is 907-349-6466. Our sleep medicine-focused family dentistry practice with offices in Soldotna and Anchorage, Alaska. We are excited to help our patients live their lives to the fullest!
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