SLEEP ASSESSMENTOur team can help you manage sleep apnea with the help of an oral appliance or mouthpiece. We specialize in correcting teeth or jaw problems and will ensure that your oral appliance is custom fit to your mouth and jaw so it will stay in place while you sleep. This type of treatment is typically used for mild to moderate sleep apnea, or if you experience sleep apnea when you sleep on your back.
Oral appliances work by keeping the upper airway open and unobstructed. The mandibular repositioning mouthpiece, which is worn over both the upper and lower teeth, keeps the jaw positioned so that there is no blockage to the upper airway. Another device is called a tongue retaining mouthpiece which keeps the tongue positioned forward so that it can’t block the upper airway.
To keep your mouthpiece functioning properly, you will be given care instructions and will need to follow up with our team after the initial six months of wearing, and at least once a year thereafter to make sure it is working properly. Any adjustments will be made and recommendations for a replacement if necessary to make sure you get the proper treatment.
Treatment may also involve implementing a heart-healthy diet and making lifestyle changes, such as using a tobacco cessation program to kick the habit and reducing alcohol use.
Some symptoms to look for when it comes to mild to moderate sleep apnea include:
– Snoring (loud enough to disturb others or yourself)
– Sleepiness during the day
– Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
– Waking up abruptly gasping for air or choking
– Headaches
– Sweating at night
– High blood pressure
– Mood changes
– Daytime drowsiness
Certain other factors can also put you at a higher risk for sleep apnea:
– Smoking and alcohol use (mentioned before, this is something you want to work away from)
– Diabetes
– Overweight (fat deposits that have developed can obstruct your airway)
– Narrowed airways (your tonsils or adenoids may be swollen)
– High blood pressure can not only be a symptom but also a cause
– Males are twice as likely to have sleep apnea
– Family history
If you would like to have our team to treat your sleep apnea, we invite you to call. You can rest assured we will evaluate your sleep quality and help you get you back on track to a good night’s sleep. We look forward to providing you with the level of care you deserve today!