Sleep Apnea
Snoring is a disruptive habit that affects your health. It’s the most common symptom of sleep apnea, the result of a blocked air passage during sleep. This intermittent waking has a domino effect on your life. Constant sleepiness and irritability make each day a struggle. Beyond disrupting your sleep, it also affects the rest of your loved ones around you. Fortunately, your dentist has solutions to regain the pleasure of restful sleep and improve your quality of life.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
The causes of sleep apnea can usually be identified between two types: obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the head and neck relax during sleep and block the windpipe. The narrow airway causes a person to suddenly gasp or choke in their sleep. Central sleep apnea arises from disruption in communication between the brain and the breathing muscles. This type is much rarer and often the result of nervous system damage or conditions.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Loud snoring and gasping during sleep is the most common symptom of sleep apnea. If you share a room with someone, they’ll be the first to let you know if this is occurring. Otherwise, there are several other symptoms to look out for if you’re unaware of nighttime snoring:
- Tiredness after waking from a full night’s sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Morning headaches
- Irritability and inattentiveness during the day
Night Guards
A night guard, a flexible custom-fitted mouth guard, has a high success rate of easing sleep apnea symptoms. It’s an affordable, noninvasive solution with long term benefits. Dental night guards for sleep apnea differ from typical mouth guards. They’re designed to move the lower jaw slightly forward or reposition the tongue during sleep. This keeps air flowing freely for long-lasting, restful sleep.
Airway Therapy
If common sleep apnea fixes like night guards and positive air pressure machines don’t bring the desired results, airway therapy could be a life-saving solution. The process of breathing is closely tied to dentistry. With a combination of sleep apnea treatments, orthodontic attention, and examination of your breathing mechanics, sleep apnea can be effectively treated with airway therapy.
Find Treatment For Long, Restful Sleep
Sleep is the foundation of our health. It’s a restorative part of our daily cycle that allows us to do our best work. If you’re struggling with disruptive sleep apnea, contact us today for a consultation. We’ll find a solution with you that lets you regain your nightly peace.
