(931) 388-4315Sleep Apnea Therapy Helps Patients Rest Easier
Does your spouse regularly complain about your loud snoring? Do you struggle with feelings of exhaustion and fatigue in the mornings, even if you went to bed right on time the night before? Have sore throats and early headaches become a regular part of your routine? These are all common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that can rob patients of their nightly rest, their health, and their overall quality of life.
At Goodman Family Dentistry, our team actually offers a solution for patients who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea: oral appliance therapy. Please contact us today if you’d like to explore this service and its benefits – a full night of great sleep is within reach!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a patient’s airway becomes partially or fully blocked while they sleep. This typically happens because of a collapse of the soft tissue in the throat. As a result, oxygen levels within the body will become dangerously limited and the brain will force the patient to awake in order to start breathing properly again. These interruptions to your sleep can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, depending on the severity of the patient’s unique case.
In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, patients with sleep apnea may also experience:
- Making multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night
- Problems with concentration and/or memory
- High blood pressure
- Waking up choking or gasping
- Feeling very sleepy while driving
How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Work?
Traditionally, sleep apnea is treated by the consistent use of a CPAP. A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses a machine and a facial or nasal mask to force air down the throat at a gradual pace so that breathing is made regular once more. While the CPAP is highly effective in treating sleep apnea, there’s a big downside – most patients find it so uncomfortable that they don’t even use it. Thankfully, trained dentists like Dr. Goodman have an alternative: oral appliance therapy.
Oral appliances are designed to gently reposition the patient’s jaw and/or tongue just enough to prevent the airway collapse that causes sleep apnea. The device will be custom-made for your unique mouth so that it fits comfortably and can be worn throughout the night. As a result, patients will finally be able to wake up feeling well-rested and ready for the day ahead!