Are you struggling to get a good night’s sleep even though you get the recommended hours per night? Do you wake up gasping for air or have been told that you snore like a bear? This could indicate that you are suffering from the effects of sleep apnea! This common medical condition can leave you feeling exhausted every day and can impact your health, mood, and day-to-day function like driving and working.
Chronic sleep apnea means your mind and body aren’t getting the necessary sleep they need to keep you functioning in good health. Our dental team understands the damage this can do and is pleased to offer solutions for our sleep apnea patients.
What Sleep Apnea Looks Like
First, what is sleep apnea? You might suffer from it if you notice (or if someone else tells you) that you constantly snort in your sleep or gasp for air as you pause your breathing while sleeping. One factor is obstructive sleep apnea, which means that something is blocking your airflow. This can happen if your tongue relaxes too far and rolls back into your throat. Or, you might have tissues in the back of the throat that collapse. If this happens night after night, it can even leave you vulnerable to heart disease, high blood pressure, liver issues and even depression.
In order to treat sleep apnea, you need to be diagnosed by a sleep physician. Our dentist can work with you about getting a sleep study test. This test can then determine why you might be experiencing the following symptoms:
- Constant, loud snoring
- Chronic daytime exhaustion
- Waking up constantly
- Sore or excessively dry throat in the morning
- Chronic morning headaches
- Mood changes including crankiness
Treating your sleep apnea usually depends on how severe your condition is. Many people find continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) devices, for moderate to severe sleep apnea, helpful. But if your sleep apnea ranges from mild to moderate, you don’t really need the CPAP to get the sleep your body craves. By wearing a simple oral appliance, you can get the sleep you need without the hassle of a machine. This is especially pertinent for people who struggle using a CPAP.
The oral appliance our dentist offers for sleep apnea is worn over your teeth and keeps your tongue positioned so that it can’t block your airways. It pushes your jaw forward and keeps it there while you sleep so you can breathe easily and get all the oxygen your body needs along with a good night’s sleep!
If wearing an oral appliance for your sleep apnea appeals to you, we invite you to give us a call today to learn more. Our dentist, Dr. Paresh B. Patel has helped many sleep apnea sufferers just like you! Please call Family Dentistry of Frisco at (469) 362-3150 to schedule a visit with Dr. Patel and our team to learn more about sleep apnea treatments in Frisco, Texas.
