Are you suffering from fitful sleep? Is your partner fed up with your loud, disruptive snoring? You don’t have to live with chronic fatigue and exhaustion (really, the holidays are stressful enough already). This November, choose to do something about your poor sleep at long last. The dentists at Complete Dental Care provide effective, personalized treatment for sleep apnea in Burlington.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is the cessation, or stoppage, of breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. It affects some 18 million Americans — many of whom do not realize there is a treatable condition at the root of their fitful sleep.
The most common type of the disorder is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when the tongue and lower jaw collapse during sleep, partially or completely restricting the proper flow of air through the throat.
Less common are central sleep apnea, which occurs due to a breakdown in communication between the brain and the muscles controlling breath. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the factors causing obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Are you at risk of developing sleep apnea? If you are over the age of 55, your risk is increased. Men are slightly more likely than women to have the condition. But the most significant risk factor for developing OSA is your weight. Patients who are obese, overweight, or who have a large neck circumference are far more likely to experience OSA.
What To Do About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The effects of untreated OSA are significant, and in the very worst cases, life-threatening. People who have the condition are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Premature death is associated with OSA.
Do you suspect you or a loved are suffering from a sleep breathing disorder? Many times, it is not the sufferer but a sleeping partner who identifies a problem. Don’t put off seeking help. Your general dentist and sleep doctor provide a diagnosis, and your dentist treats obstructive sleep apnea.
At Complete Dental Care, we provide an alternative to the traditional method for sleep apnea treatment. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy, uses a facial mask hooked up to a machine to force air into the lungs during sleep. Unfortunately, many patients find this method to be more disruptive than the original symptoms — and their partners may be equally bothered by the noisy machine.
With removable oral appliance therapy, your tongue and lower jaw are held in place, without any disruption whatsoever. The device resembles an athletic mouthguard, so it’s small, portable, and easy-to-use. Many patients find the relief they seek at long last thanks to the removable oral appliance.
Let’s Discuss Sleep Apnea Therapy Today
It’s past time to gain control of your sleep. You can benefit from a full eight hours every night once again! Please get in touch with your dentist to discuss sleep apnea therapy with a removable oral device. Schedule an appointment today.
