Sleep apnea is detrimental to general wellness. The condition can cause fatigue and grogginess even after getting enough rest. Without treatment, sleep apnea can contribute to severe health complications. The dentist can provide a lasting solution to this sleep disorder under dental sleep medicine. Continue reading to find out how.
The side effects of sleep apnea include snoring, headaches, exhaustion, irritability, and daytime sleepiness, but many people associate these with simply not getting enough sleep. Often, these symptoms occur because breathing stops intermittently during sleep. There are two major types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common and caused by a restriction in the air passages, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain does not send the right signals for breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat’s soft tissues collapse and block airflow. This causes the patient to wake up temporarily to resume breathing. It might cause a choking sensation and reduced oxygen levels in the body. Blockage of the air passages can result from swollen glands and tonsils, alcohol use before bedtime, jawbone swelling or misalignment, obesity, or nasal problems like allergies or a deviated septum.
Sleep apnea does not just cause exhaustion and snoring. It can lead to health complications such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and even death without treatment.
Dental sleep medicine presents a non-invasive and gentle option for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. To diagnose the condition, patients may need to undergo a pharyngometer test in the dental office, which calculates the size and collapsibility of the air passages. The test usually takes between two to five minutes.
If the dentist suspects that the patient has obstructive sleep apnea, they may recommend an additional sleep study, which monitors the body’s vitals and biological responses during sleep. The sleep apnea specialist will review the result of the study, and if it shows signs of sleep apnea, they will take steps to fabricate a custom oral device for the patient.
Some dentists prescribe a CPAP machine for treating obstructive sleep apnea. This device delivers air to the oral and nasal passages via a mask and prevents soft tissues from collapsing. However, this machine is bulk and noisy, and many patients do not prefer its usage. Instead, the dentist can design the custom oral appliance to fit the mouth and open the air passages.
The shape of the device moves the jaw forward during sleep to reposition the soft tissues of the airways — tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and the back of the mouth — to prevent them from restricting airflow. Patients often notice a difference from the first night of use. The device is also comfortable and has a higher compliance rate compared to the CPAP device.
Sleep apnea can be detrimental to one’s health and quality of life. However, dental sleep medicine provides a painless and non-invasive treatment option. If you have been experiencing signs of the condition, contact the dental office to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentalsleepsolutionsgroup.com or call Dental Sleep Solutions Group at (530) 727-6080 for an appointment in our Red Bluff office.
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