Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleeping problem that can have a significant impact on your health. Patients with sleep apnea have frequent pauses in breathing while sleeping. The body is jolted awake from a deep sleep when this happens, although most people have no memory of it. Patients are often unaware that they are waking up dozens or even hundreds of times every night, making OSA difficult to diagnose.
Dunedin Dental Associates provides sleep apnea and snoring treatment in Dunedin, FL. Call 727-734-3321 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Sleep apnea has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure when left untreated.
During sleep, the soft tissues in the airway relax and obstruct the flow of air, causing sleep apnea. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which keeps the airway open by blowing air through a mask worn on the face, is the most common treatment for OSA. Unfortunately, CPAP therapy is uncomfortable for many individuals.
Oral appliance therapy, or OSA, is an alternative treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. OSA involves the use of a custom-made mouthpiece that repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliance therapy is typically a more comfortable option for patients who cannot tolerate wearing a CPAP mask.
Minor sleep disruptions can often be addressed with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, or clearing your nasal passages.
Many patients that suffer from sleep disorders may be able to find relief using a custom removable oral appliance that adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue during sleep. Each oral appliance is custom-created for the patient, ensuring that it is the most comfortable fit possible. Even then, oral appliances can take some adjustment. Please be sure to bring your oral appliance to your appointments to make sure it is fitting properly.
If you find that oral appliance therapy does not help reduce your sleep apnea symptoms, then CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, can successfully treat obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP technology utilizes a mask that delivers a supply of positive air that is strong enough to push the air through the blockage.
Dunedin Dental Associates offers custom-made oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. Dr. Spencer has advanced training in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, so you can feel confident knowing you’re getting the best possible care.
Feeling exhausted throughout the day, loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches or sore throats, difficulties concentrating, and mood swings are all indicators of sleep apnea. Others may notice that you stop breathing while sleeping, but you may be unaware when this occurs.
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