Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Enhance Your Quality of Sleep
Have you been waking up feeling drained? Or has a partner or family member alerted you to loud snoring during sleep? If so, you may have a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea that can impact your health and quality of life. The good news is that oral appliance therapy at Highrise Dental in Phoenix, AZ, offers a simple, comfortable solution that can help you sleep better and wake up refreshed.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Causes
Sleep apnea, the most common of which is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a sleep disorder that can significantly impact your health and quality of life. It is characterized by repeated breathing pauses during sleep, which can occur dozens, if not hundreds, of times a night. This can disrupt your sleep and cause oxygen deprivation, putting your health at risk.
OSA typically results from the throat muscles relaxing excessively during sleep, causing the soft tissues to sag and block your airway. As your oxygen levels drop, your brain sends a survival signal to wake you up just enough to reopen your airway, often resulting in a loud snort or gasping noise.
- Warning signs of sleep apnea may include the following:
- Loud snoring and gasping, choking sounds during sleep
- Pauses in breathing reported by a partner or family member
- Teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism
- Frequent morning headaches
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Excessive daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and mood changes
- Unexplained weight gain
What Are the Impacts of Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is often linked to chronic teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism), which can lead to uneven tooth wear, tooth sensitivity, and even TMJ disorders and pain. Untreated sleep apnea has also been shown to elevate the risk of health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), stroke, and metabolic syndrome. Chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue can impact your work performance and mood, and can lead to a higher risk of accidents.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Traditionally, sleep apnea treatment involves CPAP therapy, which delivers a constant stream of air through a mask to help keep your airway open during sleep. Unfortunately, many patients find the mask uncomfortable and the CPAP machine noisy, further interfering with their sleep.
At Highrise Dental, we proudly offer oral appliance therapy to help restore your restful, rejuvenating sleep. The innovative sleep apnea solution involves the use of custom-fitted oral devices to reposition your jaw or tongue during sleep, helping keep your airway open. Most of our patients find oral appliance therapy a much more comfortable alternative to CPAP, improving their sleep, health, and quality of life.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Me in Phoenix, AZ
Contact Highrise Dental to learn more about oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Perno and his patient-centered team will recommend the ideal oral appliance to help you get on track to lasting relief. You can always count on us for an exceptional patient experience. We invite you to call 602-230-1161 to schedule your appointment or book one online today!