Chronic Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When you snore every night, the disturbance may be enough to force you to seek treatment for it. For many patients, however, it can seem like no big deal, so they don’t worry about treating it. Unfortunately, this is one reason why many people can suffer obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for years before realizing it, and can experience a wide range of symptoms that they don’t realize are a result of lost sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that directly affects your ability to breathe while you sleep. Specifically, it describes a tendency for your mouth and throat tissues to clog your airway while you sleep, forcing your to snore loudly at first, then stop breathing altogether for several moments. Before long, the lack of oxygen will force your brain to wake your body and clear your airway so you can breathe again. The problem, though, is that the cycle repeats itself once your brain and body begin to settle back into sleep. The repeated interruptions to your breathing prevent you from reaching deep R.E.M. sleep, which is where most of the symptoms of sleep apnea stem from.
How a Custom Appliance Can Help
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then you may have been prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to treat it. The machine provides a gentle but continuous stream of air through a mask that you wear while you sleep. The air keeps your airway open, preventing it from becoming obstructed. However, we also offer a more comfortable and convenient alternative in the form of a custom-made sleep appliance. The appliance can be designed to support your lower jaw in a way that naturally keeps your airway open and free of obstruction. Oral tissues can’t block it, so you can sleep peacefully and soundly throughout the night.
Find out about sleep apnea treatment
Losing sleep to sleep apnea can dramatically impact your life, but with a custom sleep appliance, you may be able to treat it comfortably and enjoy the quality sleep you deserve. To schedule an appointment, call Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN, at (763) 416-0606. We also proudly serve the residents of Brooklyn Park, Rogers, Elk River, Osseo, Otsego, Plymouth, Wayzata, and all surrounding communities.