Our Location:
2 South 56th Place, Suite 202,
Ridgefield, WA 98642
Find answers and other helpful dental topics in our digital library.
Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (60)
- cosmetic dentistry (12)
- oral health (16)
- bonding (3)
- tooth contouring (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (8)
- dental implants (15)
- dentures (5)
- smoking (4)
- pediatric dentistry (4)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- oral hygiene (19)
- braces (7)
- flossing (1)
- veneers (2)
- crowns (5)
- sealants (1)
- fluoride (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tooth decay (9)
- dental anxiety (1)
- dental cleanings (1)
- bad breath (2)
- toothpaste (2)
- snoring (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- removable partial denture (2)
- bridge (1)
- ibuprofen (1)
- pain management (1)
- wisdom teeth (2)
- nutrition (6)
- insurance (1)
- bacteria (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- orthodontic treatment (4)
- retainers (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- mouth sores (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- dry mouth (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- smile makeover (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- tooth pain (4)
- adult orthodontics (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- fillings (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- dental visits (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- bone graft (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- bruxism (1)
- night guard (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- canker sore (1)
- sugar (1)
- toothache (2)
- dental injury (4)
- partial denture (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- shingles (1)
- x-ray (1)
- wedding day smile (1)
- fluroide (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
Categories:
Daily fatigue or complaints of your snoring from family have led you to see your doctor about the problem. After an exam and a test session in a sleep lab, your problem now has a name — obstructive sleep apnea.
This common sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat over-relax during sleep. The relaxed tissues obstruct air flow to the trachea (windpipe) and cause “apnea,” where you cease to breathe. The lack of oxygen causes you to wake, even for a micro-second, to begin breathing again. This may occur multiple times throughout the night, diminishing the quality of your sleep and leading not only to drowsiness and daily fatigue but also contribute to cardiovascular disease or other systemic conditions.
The most effective treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine while you sleep. The machine delivers pressurized air to a face mask you wear while you sleep; the additional pressure keeps the airway open. However, a CPAP machine does have a few disadvantages, including discomfort while attached to the machine, nasal congestion and dryness, or claustrophobia. These effects can be so pronounced for some patients, they’re unable to adjust themselves to the machine.
If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, there may be an alternative — a custom-fitted oral appliance we manufacture for you to wear in your mouth while you sleep. The appliance pulls the lower jaw forward resulting in a wider opening of the airway. In addition to being less cumbersome than a CPAP mask, an oral appliance is easier to wear, compact in size for easy travel and doesn’t require electricity.
While an oral appliance is an effective alternative to a CPAP machine for many patients, it does have a few disadvantages including problems with saliva flow (too much or too little), muscle or teeth soreness and minor tooth or jaw movement. Still, an oral appliance might be the right solution to relieve your sleep apnea over the long-term.
If you would like more information on treatments for sleep apnea, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry” and “Sleep Apnea FAQs.”