Sleep apnea is a health condition that leads to interruptions to your breathing while you sleep. It can have a significant impact on your quality of life, and it can be life-threatening when left untreated. Sleep apnea is caused by a person’s airways being blocked during sleep. It might be due to soft tissues, like the tongue, getting into the way of a person’s airways or fat buildup.
One of the popular treatments used to manage sleep apnea is the use of oral appliances. These devices are used to keep the patient’s airways open during sleep. Popular oral appliances used for sleep apnea include mandibular advancement devices, vestibular shields, tongue-retaining devices, and chin strips.
Some of these devices, like the tongue-retaining device, work by keeping the patient’s tongue in its proper position during sleep so it does not block their airway. Others, like the mandibular advancement device, work by keeping the patient’s jaw in the proper position while they sleep so their airway stays open. The benefits of treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance instead of exploring other treatment options, like a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, include the following.
Ease of use: Many of the oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea are easy to use and are customized for the patient’s mouth. They are simple to use, lightweight, and easy to store and travel with. They fit comfortably in the patient’s mouth, keeping their airway open, allowing them to sleep without interruptions to their breathing.
Convenience: The oral appliances that help keep a person’s airway open while they sleep cause little discomfort due to their custom fit. The device is customized to fit the patient’s airway, tongue, jaw, and teeth.
Reduces snoring: Snoring sounds are caused by obstructions to a person’s airway, and they are often a symptom of sleep apnea. The oral appliances used for sleep apnea open up the airways and create more space. Some, like chin straps, help keep the patient’s mouth closed, forcing them to breathe with their nose. This reduces snoring sounds during sleep.
Non-surgical approach: Oral appliances will not make any permanent changes to a person’s teeth, and getting them does not require any surgical procedures. Surgical treatments for sleep apnea are typically explored as a last resort.
Effortless: Treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance is as easy as inserting the device in the mouth and going to bed. The appliance must be cleaned after every use to minimize bacteria buildup. Other ways to manage sleep apnea, like CPAP machines, need to be set up before they can be used.
Improved sleep: Oral appliances like tongue retainers have been proven to be effective for treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Wearing an oral appliance before going to bed provides immediate relief for many people with the condition, leading to better sleep.
Call or visit our Springfield Township clinic to learn more about how oral appliances like mandibular advancement devices can be used to manage sleep apnea.
Request an appointment here: https://smilowfamilydentistry.com or call Smilow Family Dentistry, P.C. at (973) 379-2202 for an appointment in our Springfield Township office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Do I Have Sleep Apnea in Springfield Township, NJ.
Sleep apnea is a fairly common medical condition that affects millions of Americans every day and, in some cases, can have life-threatening side effects. To get the right kind of help for your apnea, it first helps to understand the causes of this sleep condition, what the different causes mean for treatment, and how you…
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing stops and starts periodically throughout sleep. When this occurs, your body awakens you and tells you to start breathing again. Repeated sleep disturbances make it harder to sleep properly, and you will be especially fatigued throughout the day.Sleep apnea affects you beyond daytime fatigue. Without treatment,…
If you have sleep apnea, it might at first seem like more of a nuisance for your partner than for you, especially if your primary symptom is snoring. Is it a good idea to find a solution that merely minimizes the effects on your sleeping partner — such as noise-canceling earbuds to mask the sound…
Dentist can build a mouth guard to fit your teeth and prevent snoring, in a comfortable way.An obvious sign of sleep apnea is snoring loud enough to wake others up or having brief periods of breathing cessation while asleep. Fortunately, we have a treatment for sleep apnea that is easy to use and effective.Do I…
Professional teeth whitening sessions can get you the white set of teeth you have always wanted. It involves using products that contain whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen carbamide to oxidize stains and remove them. What is the difference between professional teeth whitening treatments and the countless products sold at drug stores, you ask?…
Teeth whitening treatments are the fastest way to significantly improve the color of teeth, and the results can last for years depending on how well the person takes care of their mouth. These treatments are performed using chemicals with bleaching properties like hydrogen carbamide and hydrogen peroxide.The bleaching agents can remove stains from the outer…