When you have trouble staying asleep, or wake often due to snoring and feel exhausted the next day, then you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Without treatment, this could even strain your heart health and immune system! At your Hickory, NC, dentist’s office, we can provide treatment for sleep apnea with an oral appliance.
The Warning Signs and Causes of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea means that while you rest at night, the soft tissues in the throat and rear of your mouth collapse and cut off airflow. You stop breathing for a brief moment until the brain, registering the sudden drop in oxygen, wakes you up. While you may not recall this happening, it could occur multiple times a night, interrupting your REM sleep so you’re exhausted. Risk factors could include neck circumference, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, obesity, resting on your back, and more.
You should be aware of the warning signs, and seek treatment when you notice daytime drowsiness, irritability, trouble concentrating on tasks at work or school, and issues with short term memory. Chrin snoring and waking up suddenly gasping for air or choking could be a sign of trouble too.
Designing Your Custom Solution
The CPAP machine is effective, but it is also loud and cumbersome, which some people simply forgo its use. We offer a more comfortable and convenient alternative, one that helps both you and your significant other rest easier. Our team will gather detailed images and measurements of your smile with digital technology, and use the information to create an oral appliance. The device will fit like a mouthguard and is worn as you rest. The device shifts your jaw and tongue forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues, so you rest without interruption.
Enjoying a Good Night’s Rest
The oral appliance we prescribe will fit comfortably and be easy to clean and use, and can travel with you easily too. Along with an oral appliance, you can also make changes to your sleep routine. For example, you can rest on your side, avoid excessive alcohol or large meals before bed, steer clear of caffeinated products, and keep your bedroom dark and cool. Try to avoid screens in the hour before bed as well. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea, then contact our team today. Everyone deserves a good night’s rest, and we’re ready to help you.
Talk to Your Hickory, NC, Dentist About Sleep Disorders
We’re ready to help you sleep well without the need for a loud and intrusive CPAP machine. To learn more about our approach to improving how you rest, please contact our office in Hickory, NC, by calling (828) 328-5581.