A Convenient Solution To Sleep Apnea

When you have trouble sleeping and suffer from chronic snoring, this could indicate the presence of sleep apnea. To avoid daytime exhaustion and stress on your heart health, you need treatment. In today’s blog, your Maple Grove, MN, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat issues like chronic snoring and sleep apnea.

The Presence of Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Your significant other may let you know if you suffer from chronic snoring and require treatment, but there are also other symptoms that you can be aware of. For example, waking in the night choking or gasping for air, dry mouth, headaches, and trouble concentrating are common symptoms. Other warning signs could include issues with your memory, moodiness, and daytime exhaustion. When one or more of these symptoms begin to occur, please let us know. With sleep apnea, you stop breathing multiple times a night as soft tissues collapse and block airflow. This interrupts your sleep even if you don’t recall it happening, and can lead to stress on your immune system and even your heart health!

Oral Appliance Therapy

While a CPAP machine is an effective treatment option, many find it loud and cumbersome and may simply stop using it. But our team can offer an alternative that is comfortable and convenient. Our team will start by taking detailed digital images and measurements of your smile, which we use in a lab setting to design and craft an oral appliance. The device will look similar to a mouthguard and is worn as you sleep. Once in place, the device will gently shift your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you can sleep without interruption and feel more rested and alert the next day. The device is easy to use and clean, and can be stored conveniently too.

Changes to Your Sleep Habits

We can also recommend changes to your sleep routine to help reduce sleep apnea episodes and allow you to rest easier. For example, rest on your side instead of your back, avoid screens in the hour before bed, and keep your bedroom dark and cool. In the two hours before bed, avoid vigorous exercise, large meals, and excessive alcohol consumption. Be sure you maintain a regular sleep schedule too, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like sleep apnea, or about how to change your sleep routine for the better, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?

If you need treatment to sleep without interruption and feel more alert and rested, then call Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN at (763)416-0606!