What is sleep apnea?
A person with sleep apnea experiences irregular breathing pauses (apneas) or shallow breathing while they are asleep. These apneas can be brought on by a real obstruction in the airway, a lack of respiratory effort, or even both.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome (occurs when someone has obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea)
What causes sleep apnea?
Your throat tissues, soft palate, and tongue relax as you fall asleep deeply. The throat tissues and soft palate over-relax in people with sleep apnea, causing them to collapse into the back of the throat and obstruct the airway.
Your brain forces you to slightly awaken in order to consciously resume breathing when the airway is blocked, which stops the flow of oxygen. Your sleep may be severely disrupted by these episodes, which may occur hundreds of times per night.
How are snoring and sleep apnea diagnosed?
Symptoms of sleep apnea include heavy snoring, headaches and migraines upon waking, restless sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, problems focusing, irritability, depression and TMJ symptoms.
Even though snoring loudly is a well-known symptom and could point to a potentially serious issue, not everyone with sleep apnea snores.The best course of action is to see a doctor if you experience any of these signs and symptoms so that you can get a correct diagnosis.
Your dentists have a variety of treatment options available to help you get a better night's sleep after a medical professional has diagnosed your problem. To find the best appliance for you, we'll conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, tongue, jaw, airway, and teeth, and we might even take an x-ray of your airway.
What sleep apnea devices or oral appliances can help?
Dental appliances can help by positioning your lower jaw further forward, effectively pulling your tongue away from the throat and the soft palate to open your airway. These dental appliances are:
- Portable
- Easy to care for
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to insert and remove
- Quiet and not disruptive to any bed partners (unlike some sleep apnea machines)
- Convenient for travel
Why is it important to treat sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea prevents you from falling into a deep, restorative sleep that recharges your brain and body. This can contribute to a variety of medical disorders and diseases, as well as reduce the quality and length of your life.
Complications can range from metabolic syndrome to high blood sugar, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. You may also develop heart problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. Because of your daytime fatigue, you may be more likely to be involved in a workplace or motor vehicle accident.
By treating sleep apnea, your dentist can help you improve and protect your overall health and wellbeing.