Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Do you often get a full eight hours of sleep but awake feeling exhausted? Are you also a loud snorer? If so, you may suffer from sleep apnea, which can cause other health problems and impact your quality of life. You may feel tired all the time and lack the restorative benefits of a good night’s rest.
If you have sleep apnea, you can get help. We offer sleep apnea dental treatment at our office. Our options include CPAP alternatives that can help you regain control of your nights. Seeking treatment for your sleep apnea will improve your lifestyle and your health.
WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes someone to stop breathing repeatedly while they sleep. There are three classifications of sleep apnea, and the most common, obstructive sleep apnea, happens when your throat muscles relax. With central sleep apnea, your brain fails to send the right messages to the muscles that control your breathing, while complex sleep apnea syndrome occurs in patients with both central and obstructive sleep apnea. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Insomnia.
- Gasping for air while you sleep.
- Dry mouth upon waking up.
- Morning headaches.
SLEEP APNEA TREATMENTS
The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. Patients use a facemask that delivers steady air pressure to the airway throughout the night. But while CPAPs can be effective, many people find them uncomfortable. Sleeping in a mask all night can be challenging, and wearers often complain of dry mouth and stuffy noses. You can find a CPAP alternative at our office, where we prescribe oral appliance therapy to sleep apnea patients. Our dentist can fit you with an appliance that positions your mouth and jaw to keep your airway open.
With oral appliance therapy, you no longer have to worry about finding a place to plug in your CPAP or packing a bulky device when you travel.
BENEFITS OF ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
Without proper sleep, your body doesn’t function as efficiently. It can put you at risk of developing high blood pressure, acid reflux and memory problems, not to mention feeling tired constantly. Getting treatment for sleep apnea will make you more comfortable and healthier. The advantages of choosing oral appliance therapy include:
- Easy to replace: We can refit or replace your appliance quickly at our office.
- Reduce snoring: Oral appliances open the airway and decrease snoring, which the people in your household will appreciate even more than you will.
- Small size: You can slip your oral appliance in a suitcase or even a purse if you go somewhere, and it won’t take up valuable space or weight in your bags.
- No mask at night: Many patients find the CPAP masks uncomfortable, and they can leave marks on your face.
CALL LIGHTHOUSE DENTAL TODAY
Get relief from your sleep apnea by putting the latest dentistry techniques to work for you. Contact us today for an appointment by calling (360) 576-3570.