When you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this could mean chronic snoring, daytime exhaustion, and over time, strains on your immune and cardiovascular system. To treat the disorder, you may need treatment. In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist talks about the CPAP machine, and why we offer a comfortable alternative with a sleep appliance.
When to Talk to Your Dentist
With OSA, you lose sleep even if you feel like you rested well the night before. During the night, you stop breathing multiple times as airways becomes obstructed due to the collapse of soft tissues. The brain wakes you and interrupts your sleep cycle, and you may wake occasionally choking or gasping for air, but often will be completely unaware. Warning signs include chronic snoring, trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, waking with dry mouth, and experiencing moodiness or exhaustion regularly during the day. If one or more of these symptoms applies to you, then you may benefit from a sleep assessment and a home sleep test using the advanced pulse oximeter device!
The CPAP Machine
At one time, the go-to treatment for OSA and chronic snoring was the continuous positive airway pressure machine, also known as the CPAP machine. Basically, the person would wear a mask over the nose and mouth, which is connected to a machine via a plastic hose. The machine pumps air through the hose and into the nose and mouth to ensure uninterrupted airflow and prevent you from experiencing sleep issues. While effective, for many the device is loud, uncomfortable, and as a result, is often discarded or rarely used. As a result, nothing for the patient improves and sleep issues continued unabated, which means complications for the immune and cardiovascular systems down the road.
The Sleep Appliance
Our team is excited to offer patients with OSA and chronic snoring a different treatment option, one that ensures a night of uninterrupted sleep and open airways without relying on loud machinery and forced airflow. Instead, we provide a sleep appliance that looks and fits like a mouthguard. The device is worn at night, and when in place, moves the jaw forward to keep airways open. The device is custom-fitted for your smile, ensuring a comfortable fit that allows you to rest easily at night. If you have any questions about how we approach treating disorders, or about our appliances, then contact our team today.
Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville Is Ready With Sleep Solutions
At Smith Family Dentistry, our team is ready to help you enjoy your night and wake rested the next day. To learn more about how we treat your disorder, then talk to Dental Sleep Solutions of Greenville by contacting our office at 903-455-0516.