How We Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When you feel exhausted during the day and struggle with snoring at night, this could indicate the presence of sleep apnea. Without treatment, this could eventually strain your immune system and heart health. In today’s blog, your Columbia, TN, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea to keep you healthy and ensure you wake up feeling refreshed!

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The Causes and Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

With sleep apnea, while you rest the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become too relaxed. They collapse, which cuts off airflow. You stop breathing until the brain wakes you to resume, which interrupts your REM sleep multiple times a night even if you don’t recall it happening. Factors behind sleep apnea could include a large neck circumference, obesity, resting on your back, excessive alcohol consumption, issues with the growth and development of your jaw and soft tissues, and stress. Warning signs often include snoring, headaches, dry mouth, daytime exhaustion, moodiness, and issues with concentration and memory. If one or more of these possible warning signs sounds familiar, then consider an appointment with our team for a diagnosis!

The Impact of Your Disorder

Without treatment, the disorder could leave you feeling exhausted and irritable. Over time, this could also increase the risk of memory issues and even complications like diabetes. The disorder could also strain your immune system so more frequent illness is possible. The strain on your cardiovascular system could also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But we can offer relief with an oral appliance!

Treatment with a Sleep Appliance

Oral appliance therapy is a comfortable and noninvasive way to treat this disorder, so you rest better and wake up feeling alert and refreshed. Our team will start by taking detailed digital images and measurements of your jaw, which we use to design and craft your custom oral appliance. The device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn while you sleep. Once in place, this helps reposition your jaw and tongue, moving them forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues. You can sleep without irritation, and the device itself is easy to use, clean, and store.

If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat sleep apnea, or if you want to see if this is right for you, then contact our office today.

Learn More About Treating Sleep Disorders with Creekside Family Dentistry!

Our team wants to help you rest easy and feel more relaxed and refreshed during the day. Give us a call today at Creekside Family Dentistry in Columbia, TN at (931) 388-3384 to schedule your appointment.