If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), how will your Spring and Pearland, TX, dentists treat the issue? You may assume surgery will be necessary, but what if we could offer a comfortable and non-invasive solution? In today’s blog, we’re looking at the benefits of stopping sleep apnea with an oral appliance, and talking about the warning signs you should be aware of!
How Does OSA Begin?
Did you know sleep apnea sufferers actually stop breathing during the night? The disorder causes the oral tissues in the throat and mouth to become too relaxed as we sleep. They then collapse and block airflow. The patient stops breathing until the brain takes note of the sudden drop in oxygen and wakes him or her. The patient then resumes breathing, usually never remembering the brain waking him or her. For some, this happens hundreds of times each night, leaving them sleep deprived even though they assume they rested well the night before. Factors behind OSA could include large neck circumference or oral tissues, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and family history of sleep issues.
The Impact of Poor Sleep
Lack of sleep means feeling exhausted during the day, having trouble focusing on work or school tasks, and trouble staying awake behind the wheel. Patients with the disorder may also report moodiness, waking suddenly at night gasping or aching for air, dry mouth, headaches, and depression. Over time, the long-term impacts of sleep deprivation could lead to a greater risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular strain, heart attack, and stroke.
Oral Appliance Therapy
How do we treat the disorder? Well, we typically begin with a home sleep test to comfortably and accurately diagnose your sleep disorder. From there, we usually prescribe an oral appliance. The device will look similar to a nightguard and will be worn as you rest. The device actually repositions the jaw, moving it forward to keep airway open and unobstructed. Patients then breathe without difficulty throughout the night, enjoying the deep, uninterrupted rest we need in order to function during the day. We have a number of different devices and will prescribe the right one for your based on the cause and severity of your OSA. If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating sleep OSA, or if you would like to learn more about our oral appliance therapy, then contact our team today. We want to help you rest easier with out personalized sleep solutions!
Looking for a Sleep Apnea Solution?
We have personalized OSA solutions to help patients rest easier. To learn more about diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, then please call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
