For many, chronic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to serious trouble for your health and quality of life. However, you may be surprised to learn that your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist can offer a solution, one that doesn’t rely on an uncomfortable CPAP machine. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at our custom oral appliance therapy!
The Causes of Sleep Apnea
What is OSA? Simply put, this disorder occurs when the soft tissues that reside in the back of your mouth and in your throat become too relaxed as you sleep. These tissues then collapse and cut off airflow. You stop breathing during sleep for a few seconds, and the brain wakes you. While you may not remember waking each time, this could happen hundreds of times each night, so you wake sleep deprived despite feeling like you slept. Factors behind the disorder include large neck circumferences, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, resting on your back instead of your side, and while this impacts people of all ages, those 55 and older are at an especially high risk. The presence of a deviated septum or sinus and allergy issues could be factors as well.
Symptoms and Negative Health Impacts
People with the disorder may experience sudden episodes of waking up choking or struggling to breathe, dry mouth, headaches, moodiness, daytime exhaustion, and trouble staying focused on tasks at work or school. Chronic snoring is also a warning sign. Without treatment, this could mean a strain immune system that leads to more frequent illness. For others, the stress on your heart health could mean high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and even heart attack and stroke. Treatment could help you avoid these worsening complications!
Creating an Oral Appliance
We start by taking a detailed series of images and measurements with advanced technology., We then design and custom-fit an oral appliance that is worn at night like a mouthguard. The device then moves the jaw forward to keep airways open, so you breathe without difficulty. You then avoid symptoms and rest easier. If you have any questions about identifying the presence of snoring or OSA, or about how we create a comfortable and convenient treatment option, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy your best quality of life!
Ready to Treat Your Sleep Issues?
Our team wants to help protect your oral and overall health by treating issues like chronic snoring and sleep apnea. For more information on how we help you rest with ease, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.