Our bodies need to breathe and sleep in order to survive. It is not surprising, therefore, that serious health concerns arise when nighttime sleep is disrupted by frequent pauses in breathing. Unfortunately, this describes a very common condition called sleep apnea. Of the nearly 22 million Americans that live with sleep apnea, 80 percent of moderate to severe cases go undiagnosed.
This is a sleep disorder that doesn’t go unscathed, as patients can experience loud snoring and gasping for air throughout the night as well as memory problems, fatigue, headaches and poor concentration during the day. While sleep apnea can affect anyone, the following people are more at risk:
- Overweight
- Excessive alcohol use
- Menopause
- Being male
- Being over 65
Treating Sleep Apnea
Since sleep apnea is caused by a collapse of the airway, the most conventional treatment is a CPAP device. These machines use air pressure to keep the airway open during nighttime sleep. Unfortunately, a large number of patients find CPAP therapy to be unfavorable, as it can be bulky, noisy and uncomfortable. In such cases, a trained sleep apnea dentist should be the next step.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea?
Countless patients find the sleep apnea relief and quality of sleep they deserve using a simple oral appliance. At West Hill Family Dental, we can customize a nighttime oral device that fits over your teeth and positions your jaw slightly forward. This keeps your airway open and allows you to breathe freely throughout the night.
If a sleeping with an oral appliance sounds more desirable than wearing a bulky CPAP mask in bed, we invite you to contact our skilled Rocky Hill Dentist. Book your sleep apnea treatment consult with West Hill Family Dental today.