If you snore on a regular basis, this could not only irritate your significant other, but this could be a warning sign of a very serious disorder, one that impacts millions. Sleep apnea could lead to exhaustion and even threaten your immune and cardiovascular systems. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about treating snoring and sleep apnea.
The Causes of Chronic Snoring
As we sleep, soft tissues in the rear of your mouth or in your throat could become too relaxed and collapse, which partially blocks airflow. As you breathe, you force air though these partially obstructed areas, creating a loud sound. Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, as we will discuss further on. You can help by resting on your side instead of your back, avoiding excess alcohol, caffeine, large meals, or vigorous exercise in the two hours before bed. You also help by maintaining a good sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
The Link to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
With sleep apnea, the same air passages are completely blocked. You stop breathing briefly until the brain registers a drop in oxygen and wakes you up. You may not actually remember waking up, but this interrupts your sleep cycle hundreds of times each night, so you feel exhausted the next day even though you assume you slept well. Over time, this leads to trouble staying focused on tasks, irritability with others, dry mouth, headaches, and exhaustion. You could also find yourself waking up at night choking or gasping for air. When this happens, don’t ignore these symptoms. Otherwise, in addition to issues with your overall quality of life, sleep apnea could strain your immune system and even your cardiovascular system, leading to serious health concerns.
Treatment with a Custom Sleep Appliance
Our team provides treatment with a comfortable and noninvasive sleep appliance, once far more comfortable and effective than a CPAP machine. The device is custom-made for your smile based on the digital images and measurements we gather. Worn as you sleep, the device fits like a mouthguard and helps shift the jaw and tongue forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues so you can breathe without complications and feel rested and alert the next day. If you have any questions about sleep apnea or about how we put a stop to your chronic snoring, then contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation and examination.
Talk To Your Katy, TX, Dentist About Improving How You Sleep
Our team wants to help you sleep with ease using a custom appliance. To find out more about ensuring a good night’s rest, please call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 to schedule a visit.
