When you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your overall health suffers and you have trouble staying alert and enjoying a good quality of life. In order to treat this order, your Pearland, TX, dentists may suggest a solution with a custom-made and comfortable oral appliance. In today’s blog, we’re looking at how our personalized sleep solutions help improve your ability to rest.
Sleep Apnea Warning Signs
When should you talk to our team about a potential sleep disorder? With sleep apnea, people stop breathing at night as soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become relaxed, collapsing and blocking airflow. We stop breathing until the brain wakes us. We don’t remember these episodes, but they happen hundreds of times a night and prevent us from reaching the deep, uninterrupted stages of rest needed to stay alert and happy during the day. Common warning signs include waking up in the night gasping for air and choking, snoring, headaches and migraines, dry mouth, moodiness, and trouble staying focused on tasks at home, work, or school. If you begin to experience one or more of these potential warning signs, then please let us know right away!
Designing Your Appliance
We will first have you fill out a survey about your sleeping habits. We will then send you home with a small device that will sit at your bedside and record any apneic episodes, as well as breathing exertion and blood-oxygen levels. Using the information, we can see if you need treatment. If so, the next step is taking detailed impressions and measurements of your smile. The information is used to design and create a custom oral appliance.
Wearing Your Sleep Solution
The oral appliance will be worn as we rest at night. The device will move the jaw forward to help prevent the collapse of soft tissues as we rest. This ensures we breathe easily, without interruption, and avoid apneic episodes. We begin to feel relaxed and avoid the frequent daytime exhaustion that OSA is linked to. In addition, we may suggest resting on your side instead of your back, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol right before bed, and keeping your bedroom dark, cool, and free of screens (TV, computer, smartphone). If you have any questions about identifying and treating OSA, or if you’re ready to start the New Year with better sleep, then contact our team today learn more.
Ready for a Sleep Solution?
We would like to help correct your OSA and restore your ability to rest and enjoy optimal health during the day. To learn more about our personalized sleep solutions, then call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.