If you snore on a frequent basis or often wake up feeling exhausted, like you didn’t rest, we could help. With a custom oral appliance, we can help manage your snoring and sleep apnea so that you can feel more rested during the day. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about treating sleep apnea with a custom oral appliance.
Snoring
Do you snore on a nightly basis? If so, frequent snoring could be a sign of poor rest. This happens when soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat partially block airflow as you sleep. When you breathe, this forces air through and vibrates soft tissues to create a loud sound. This could also be a warning sign of sleep apnea, a serious disorder that needs attention to not only help you rest better, but protect your heart health and more!
Sleep Apnea
With obstructive sleep apnea, as you rest those same tissues we mentioned above completely block air passages, so you stop breathing for a brief period until the brain registers the drop in oxygen and wakes you. Most people don’t remember these episodes happening, but they can occur multiple times a night and interrupt your REM sleep to leave you feeling exhausted during the day. Without treatment, the disorder could stress your heart health to cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and even stroke and heart attack. You could also suffer from a weakened immune system, memory issues, and more.
If you suffer from chronic snoring, daytime drowsiness, irritability, and issues concentrating on tasks at work or school, you should let us know right away so we can conduct a diagnosis and provide treatment!
Oral Appliance Therapy
Our team is proud to offer a comfortable and effective alternative to the loud CPAP machine or surgery to help manage your poor rest and allow you to sleep properly. Our team will take detailed digital images of your bite from multiple angles, using this to design and custom-fit an oral appliance that is worn while you sleep. The custom device will be worn like a mouthguard, and helps shift your jaw and tongue forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues, so you can breathe without interruption and wake up feeling refreshed. The oral appliance is easy to use, clean, and store, and can travel with you too.
We can also suggest positive changes to your sleeping routine. You should maintain a regular schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Try to avoid caffeine, exercise, or large meals right before bed. Don’t drink alcohol to excess before bed either. Keep your bedroom dark and cool, and rest on your side instead of your back. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea, then contact our office today!
Learn More About Improving How Well You Rest
Our team is ready to help you enjoy a better night’s rest with a noninvasive solution. When you are ready to schedule your appointment with our office, contact Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX at 972-262-5111.
