Can Your Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea?

Getting a decent night's sleep is what everyone dreams of. This is why sleep apnea can create havoc in your life. You don't feel sleepy at night, making you tired and lethargic for the whole next day. Further, having obstructive sleep apnea poses an increasing threat to your health. People with sleep apnea may stop breathing more than a hundred times in the night. If sleep apnea is left untreated, it could cause long-term health issues. In fact, having sleep apnea for about four to five years increases the chances of heart attacks by 30%. 

 Nearly 25 million people are suffering from sleep apnea. Fortunately, people diagnosed with sleep apnea have more treatments available to them than before. Finding an effective treatment for sleep apnea could provide you with a safe and sound sleep at night.

What Are the Kinds of Sleep Apnea?

1.  Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the kind of sleep apnea that occurs frequently. When the muscles in the throat relax and collapse, it causes obstructive sleep apnea. This causes a blockage in the airway, not letting the person breathe properly. If the tongue blocks the airway entirely, it causes loud snoring and breathing pauses.

 2.  Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is associated with the nervous system in the body. The problem arises when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles. Because the muscles control the breathing and heart rate in people, central sleep apnea could make you stop breathing entirely while you are still asleep.

 3.  Complex Sleep Apnea

This is the type of sleep apnea that has symptoms of both central and obstructive sleep apneas. Complex apnea requires immediate medical attention.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Dentists can help treat sleep apnea to some extent. If you have moderate symptoms, dentists use fitted mouthpieces to keep your airway open. The mouthpieces that help in the process are:

1.  Mandibular repositioning mouthpiece, which is an oral applicator to help treat sleep apnea. Further, it helps to cover the upper and lower teeth. It also holds the jaws in position and prevents the blockage of airways in any way.

2.  The tongue-retaining device is seldom used. The device has a splint holding the tongue to the forward position. This helps to keep the upper airways open.

Dentists also use CPAP treatment which is a mask connected to the pump putting pressure on the airways. This keeps the airways open at night. The dental services are suitable for people suffering from mild sleep apnea.

On your part, if you regularly smoke and drink alcohol, you can quit these if you don't want to fall ill sooner. Reposition your sleep to reduce the tongue from blocking the airway. 

Suffering from sleep apnea? Get advanced sleep apnea treatment from experienced dentists at Healthy Smiles, Birmingham, AL 35242. Call us at (205) 991-9535 to schedule a consultation. Or you could book an appointment online.