Do you struggle with daytime drowsiness due to poor sleep? If your inability to rest is linked to chronic snoring and sleep apnea, then we can help! In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about how we treat issues like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Doing so not only helps you rest easier, but can also protect your heart health!
Snoring
Do you snore? This is a loud sound that is created when airflow vibrates soft tissues that have partially blocked airways. Sleeping on your back and consuming excessive alcohol before bed can increase the risk of snoring. But if this is happening on a nightly basis, your snores could be linked to a serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, and care is needed to treat the issue and protect you from major complications.
The Sleep Apnea Connection
With sleep apnea, soft tissues in the rear of your mouth and in your throat become too relaxed while you sleep and collapse. This cuts off airflow completely, so you stop breathing briefly until the brain registers the drop on oxygen and wakes you. You could suddenly gasp or struggle for air in your sleep. You may not recall this happening, but it can interrupt your REM sleep hundreds of times every night.
The disorder leaves you feeling exhausted during the day, and you could struggle with short-term memory and the ability to concentrate at work or school. Over time, this disorder could increase the risk of memory issues, a weakened immune system, and even heart issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke or heart attack. Snoring is often an early warning sign of the disorder, and one that should be heeded!
Help with a Custom Oral Appliance
Our team can conduct a detailed exam and talk to you about possible risk factors and causes. If you have the disorder, we could offer relief with an oral appliance, a comfortable and nonsurgical solution. We begin by taking detailed images of your bite from multiple angles and using these measurements and images to design and craft an oral appliance. The device will look like a mouthguard and fit like one too, and is worn while you sleep at night. Once in place, this helps shift the jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you can breathe easy and wake up feeling refreshed and alert. The device itself is easy to care for, you can clean it and it can travel with you too.
If you have any questions about how we treat snoring and sleep apnea, or if you struggle with sleep and daytime drowsiness, then reach out to our team to talk about possible solutions.
Learn More About Our Treatments for Poor Sleep
Our team wants to help you rest easier by providing a solution for your sleep issues, so you can feel refreshed each day. When you are ready to schedule your appointment with our office, contact Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX at 972-262-5111.
