Chronic snoring is often linked to a serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Without treatment, this could leave you exhausted and even impact your immune system and heart health. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about using an oral appliance to treat snoring and OSA.
The Factors Behind Snoring and OSA
We snore when air passages are partially blocked by soft tissues. As we breathe, this forces air through these passageways and vibrates tissue to create a loud sound. OSA means that during the night soft issues actually block the air passages completely. You stop breathing for a brief moment until the brain wakes you after registering the sudden drop in oxygen. You may not remember this happening, but it can occur hundreds of times in a night, so even if you think you slept the night before, you’re sleep deprived. Factors behind the disorder vary, and include a large neck circumference, obesity, sinus and allergy concerns, deviated septum, or complications with the growth and development of oral structures and soft tissues. As part of your treatment, we will carefully examine your smile to assess the cause and extent of your sleep disorders, and to offer the most appropriate treatment option.
Symptoms and Possible Risks
People with sleep apnea may experience chronic snoring, headaches and migraines, dry mouth, and episodes of waking suddenly in the night choking or gasping for air. They also experience irritability during the day, and difficulty concentrating on tasks at work or school. When you exhibit one or more of these symptoms, please let us know right away. Without treatment, this could strain your immune system to leave you more vulnerable to illness. Severe cases also impact your heart health, causing heart disease, high blood pressure, and even a greater risk of stroke or heart attack.
Diagnosis and Treatment
While CPAP machines are an effective treatment, they’re often difficult for people to use, and are loud and cumbersome. Which is why we’re happy to offer an oral appliance alternative. This is a custom-made device that looks and fits like a mouthguard, designed based on detailed digital images we take of your smile. The device will shift the jaw forward to keep airways open and clear, so you can breathe without complication and avoid OSA symptoms.
If you have any questions about treating issues like snoring and sleep apnea, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you and your family continue to enjoy a good night’s rest!
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides Better Sleep
We would like to help you enjoy a good night’s rest again. Call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 for more information on our custom oral appliances.
