When you have trouble sleeping, or feel exhausted during the day, then this could potentially mean you have sleep apnea. Lack of treatment not only impacts how rested you feel, but strains your immune and cardiovascular system too. In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist talks about sleep apnea treatment with oral appliance therapy.
The Causes and Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airways become blocked by collapsed soft tissues in the throat and the rear of the mouth. This causes you to stop breathing for brief periods, until the brain wakes you. While you may not remember this happening, it could occur several times an hour and interrupt your sleep cycle. You feel exhausted, and become more likely to develop a strained immune system, so more frequent illness is possible. A strained cardiovascular system could also occur, which leads to heart disease, high blood pressure, and even an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Creating an Oral Appliance
You should consider treatment if you notice the common warning signs, which includes snoring, moodiness, trouble concentrating on tasks at work or school, waking in the night gasping or struggling to breathe, dry mouth, and headaches. We will perform a detailed examination to pinpoint the common warning signs of trouble. If we find you have sleep apnea, then our team will take detailed digital impressions and images of your smile, which will be used to design and create an oral appliance. The device will look like a mouthguard, but actually helps move the jaw forward to keep air passages open and free. You breathe without interruption, and feel more rested and alert at night!
Improving Sleep Habits
You could also take other steps to help improve how well you rest. First, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time, as this establishes a sleep schedule. Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and screen-free, as this helps you rest easier. In the two hours before going to bed, make sure you avoid large meals, excessive alcohol caffeine, or vigorous exercise. Try to maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise as well. If you have any questions about how we improve your stability to rest, then contact our team today to learn more. We would love to help ensure you have a good night’s rest each and every night!
Your Woodland Hills, CA Dentist Offers OSA Solutions
With a custom oral appliance, our team can find the best solution for your sleep disorder. If you would like to find out how to put a stop to your chronic obstructive sleep apnea, then contact your Woodland Hills, CA dentist, Dr. Naminik, by calling 818-347-5124.