What do you know about sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to serious trouble with your overall health, and leave your feeling exhausted and tired. In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist will discuss four facts about OSA, and explain how we treat the disorder with a custom and comfortable oral appliance.
Loud Snoring is a Warning Sign:
The disorder’s main symptoms is actually loud, persistent snoring on a nightly basis. Not only does this symptom keep you from resting well, it could also prevent your significant other from getting necessary sleep too. We all snore occasionally, but if this becomes more frequent, often every night, you should consider contacting our team for treatment.
You Stop Breathing:
OSA means that as you sleep, the soft tissues residing in your throat and the rear of your mouth may become too relaxed and collapse. This collapse cuts off airflow, causing you to stop breathing until the brain registers the lack of oxygen and wakes you. Many don’t remember waking up, but regardless this interrupts your sleep cycle and causes issues for you during waking hours. These collapsed tissues are also responsible for the snoring we mentioned above.
This Leads to Exhaustion:
The lack of sleep means trouble staying alert and focused during the day, as well as drowsiness, headaches, dry mouth, and moodiness. You could also wake suddenly in the night struggling to breathe or gasping for air. If this occurs, then you may need to see our team for an assessment or a home sleep test. From there, we can discuss treatment options.
Your Overall Health Suffers:
Over time, the disorder could strain your immune system. Which means the risk of you becoming sick more frequently increases exponentially. In addition, over time lack of proper rest puts stress on your cardiovascular system. You could be more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart attack. Which is why you should let us know if you encounter any symptoms quickly!
Treatment Options
When we assess you and complete the home sleep test, we may recommend an oral appliance to wear at night. The device is comfortable and custom-made, and fits like a mouthguard. Worn during sleep, the device actually moves the jaw forward to help prevent the collapse of any soft tissues, and ensure open and uninterrupted breathing. If you have any questions about our treatment options, then contact our team today.
Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville Talks About Sleep Apnea
At Smith Family Dentistry, our team is ready to help you maintain better quality of life with custom appliances. To learn more about addressing common disorders, then talk to Dental Sleep Solutions of Greenville by contacting our office at 903-455-0516.