What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition marked by episodes when the airway becomes blocked, causing a person to either stop breathing or to breathe loudly through the mouth. These episodes result in limited oxygen flow, which can cause a person to wake, briefly, a few to hundreds of times in a single night.
Over time, even brief episodes of unrest, can begin to take a toll on a person’s overall health, leading to symptoms that include frequent headaches, particularly in the morning, weight gain, moodiness, high blood pressure, depression, and even heart disease.
Can Treatment Help?
Fortunately, your dentist may be able to help you treat sleep apnea.
For many patients, a simple oral appliance can help them rest more comfortably and sleep more soundly. An oral appliance, much like a mouth guard, is custom created to help keep the jaw in proper position as you sleep, allowing your airways to remain clear.
Oral appliances can also be used to help stop nighttime teeth grinding, known as bruxism.