When you feel exhausted and suffer from chronic snoring, this could mean the presence of sleep apnea and serious issues down the road. But we can help you enjoy a good night’s rest and avoid stress on your immune system, heart health, and more! In today’s blog, your Columbia, TN, dentist talks about how we help you rest with a custom sleep apnea appliance.
The Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
How do you know if you need treatment for sleep apnea? The disorder is brought on when soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become too loose and collapse, cutting off airglow. As air is forced through, this creates snoring. When air is completely cut off, the brain will wake you, interrupting your REM sleep multiple times a night, even if you don’t recall this happening. You may wake in the night choking or gasping for air, or you could feel exhausted and moody the next day. Issues with memory and concentration are often reported as well. Don’t ignore these symptoms, as your disorder could eventually lead to major stress on your immune system and even your cardiovascular system!
Creating an Oral Appliance
Our team will first conduct an assessment, and possibly an at-home sleep test or lab setting test to assess the cause and extent of your sleep apnea. If we find you have the disorder, we will take detailed digital images of your smile from multiple angles, using them to custom-fit an oral appliance that you wear as you rest. When in place, the device fits like a mouthguard and helps shift the jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction. You can breathe without complication, and enjoy a night of uninterrupted rest. This helps you feel more alert the next day. The device is easy to use, clean, and store, and can travel with you as needed.
Other Helpful Tips
You can also take other actions to improve your rest. For example, be sure you go to bed and wake up at the same time, keep your bedroom dark and cool, and avoid screens in the hour before going to sleep. Try to rest on your side instead of your back, and in the two hours before bed, avoid large meals, exercise, or excessive amounts of alcohol. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea, then contact our team today.
Learn More About General Dental Care With Creekside Family Dentistry!
We want to offer a custom oral appliance to treat your sleep concerns. Give us a call today at Creekside Family Dentistry in Columbia, TN at (931) 388-3384 to schedule your appointment!
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